Thanks for the excellent pics Bill. I didn't take any before sending them off.

Hey Guys, here is NYCC info.

I will be selling at 12:00 on Saturday at booth 504, Monster Island/Clutter
I'll be hanging out for the first hour or so and then my stuff will be available the whole day.

I will be releasing a new Cadaver Twins run and an amazing Cadaver Kid and Usir set painted by the mighty Martin Ontiveros. I will also have a couple 1-offs and some beautiful hand paints by Rampage Toys.

I'm not set up to take credit card, so will be doing cash sales only.

I'm guessing this is happening on Saturday??

Yes sir... Joe is at 12 noon on sat..

Oh man! Lots of good stuff to choose from!

my pleasure! i hope i captured each toy's essence. it's always a treat to see your paint in person. is it true you won't be participating in any more gallery shows?

I'll leave the Geek! thread alone and detour my own Where's Rich

TK4 was the last one I signed on for. Maybe in the future I might send in a piece or two for group shows like TK, if I think they could be a really amazing showing. I won't say never, but I'm taking a hiatus for now. It's October and I've had 3 releases in my own store.

Now, I have always been an advocate for trying to elevate thoughtful, beautifully executed sofubi. It might not be the popular opinion here, but to me it's art. Especially when it's concepted, sculpted, and painted by the same person. So I've always liked supporting the galleries and the notion that toys deserve to be displayed and sold in galleries. But this has been a grueling year for me and I've really had to reevaluate the game plan. And when I reevaluated I had to make the hard decision that there are people and places out there I want to support, but I can't support them at my expense.

Here's the deal, if I do a gallery show with 15 one offs that I spent weeks painting, I make as much as I do just doing an online run, that online run takes me a day or two to paint, and you guys pay half the price. That gallery show also jams up my release calendar, not just because I have to be strategic about my releases, I don't want to release too much too often, but they are extremely time consuming preparing for and not to mention stressful. There are more reasons too, but that is the main one.

I work full time, more than full time, The toy making consumes what remains of my life. I know I know, I should do it for love and not care about the money, but this year was grueling and frustrating and another like it would just leave me quitting. I just want to be as smart as I can about making toys, not just in making money, but also in getting my figures out there in fair and accessible way and we all win if the emphasis is on online releases.

That's awesome makes it so much better for those of us who live no where near these galleries and cant afford a mule

^^nice to see such honesty about stuff like that.

And after going and rechecking the GEEK thread I'm even more amazed. There goes that sinking regret feeling about a certain blank I passed up recently...

I heard my name !

We've discussed all your points and at the end of the day the artist needs to be treated better. Galleries depend upon us and as is, we're meant to feel the opposite.

I'll also probably start picking and choosing shows. I've already turned a few down. I also can't keep up at this pace. I understand all your saying.

I respect your dicesion 1000% Joe, and think taking a stand is a great start. Your a respected toy maker and amazing artist so you deserve your due. Treating this situation as you are is a step in a direction all artist want to take but are to scared to actually go for.

In the end I think as long as both the artist and collector are happy all will work out.

So so glad the Martin Ontiveros set is a run and not one-offs like I originally thought!!

Whoa those twins look really gross, love em. Hope I can score one on saturday!

Excited to see them in person Joe, paint looks really well done.

Martin kills it!

All of your points are extremely valid and understandable Joe. Personally i know its hard for me to afford all the gallery prices, so any online release is always a treat. As a fan and a collector i respect your decision and look forward to many more online sales.

The NYCC pieces look amazing! Well done!

Thanks for sharing your art / toy-making thoughts.
Having the desire to create things can be a double edged sword for sure.
The journey on any adventure eventually helps you find the balance.

Thanks guys, I'm glad you enjoyed my thoughts.

Back to NYCC. Pretty...

dang I would love to get my hands on one of those CK's or Usirs..

They will be sold as a set and I think a print also will be included with the set

I want one so bad that usir is so amazing love the color scheme and intricute details

Just an amazing header. No print.

Just got my invoice for the blobpus ck and diggler lottery.. hell yes!

Finally!

You get one too dago?

Yes Sir!

Awesome!