If it was terrible I wouldn’t be there. And I worked for Zidware.

I like Chris - I’m disappointed he decided to make his decision to split a means to try to damage others.

Having Kaneda ‘interview’ you with zero challenges is a great way to get the real picture for sure... I was there btw throughout - he should re-trace his steps and rethink the facts.

He doesn’t like me for some reason - so I’ll give him one, from my vantage point: his problems are his own making.

No professional artist does what he is saying. You are being paid for the work AND usage rights. You don’t own your work anymore. So when you decide to sell it you are making additional income from art you were afforded to make on another persons dime. Not ethical- not ever.

When you are asked nicely to stop selling it you do NOT argue or belittle the company that owns your work. And you don’t DO IT AGAIN... and again...and again.

And when you do? Expect it won’t be well received. Apologize and stop it.

And as an aside - throwing personality insults at people is petty. (Greg is hilarious, btw) I’ve never had an issue with anyone at Stern and consider everyone a friend at this point. But I also have never tried to tell Gary Stern or anyone else how to operate. I’m a hired gun working on a team.

Listen, If I mess up, I’m not a victim of anyone else but myself. I own up to it and try to learn from my mistakes.

blah blah blah...Actions speak louder than words. It’s easy to control a message when you define the rules and know that no one will rebut out of professionalism. It’s regrettable that Chris chose this path. I wish him the best - he’s immensely talented and has plenty of great work ahead of him. I just hope he can get out of his way.

I wish I wouldn’t have to

I also want to add that, while I don’t know the details of what went down - the idea that Elvira, Greg’s game, was being celebrated at an event by Stern is enough reason NOT to try to interject your competing Elvira art (out of respect alone).

That’s an odd one to complain about. And even more odd to consider it being ok when looked at objectively.

Ok that’s it - I’ll step away... negativity is easy, I hate to partake even in defense... apologies to all.

Not at all what I said. Listen to the podcast & it will make sense. It’s great that he was there - it’s not great that he complains that he wasn’t allowed to make a print to directly compete and dismiss why the event was taking place.

The short of it - He contacted Elvira’s mgmt (NOT ever contacting stern I’ll assume) to try to do an exclusive Elvira print for the show. She was there for And on the dime of Stern.

He complained that he wasn’t allowed to do a competing print for an event? Out of respect for Greg’s game alone, it’s understandable why they would say no thanks - but add in the context of who paid for her appearance and it’s bizarre to complain about and make it seem unfair.

I was addressing a print and bad taste. That’s all.

First off - my intent to comment here wasn’t to pile on Chris. I was bothered greatly by what I heard on the podcast and wanted to add some context to prevent the imaginations going wild on the anti-stern front. So please don’t take my perspective as open season on Chris. Again I like him - he’s amazingly talented and well suited for pinball.

Second - Stern pays well for the usage and creation based on standards I’m accustomed to. I’m certain Chris made more than me based on hourly breakdowns though as he was known to knock things out quickly. I’m envious as unfortunately I’m slow as molasses when it comes to the finish & polish stages... has me rethinking my life choices all the time in fact

Chris also has said he has a day job and pinball was moonlighting for him. So, justification of selling prints is at odds with that as well.

Wanna trade? Just for a day! I miss working loose.

Seriously though - I used to do both story boarding for advertising and I still dabble in some traditional 2d animation within that realm on occasion.

Work is work - clean or otherwise - it’s all equal in my book. And time based planning is the most important part of animation for my money.

An original piece of art made at the convention is fair use. Printing art made prior is selling unlicensed art - unless you own the rights. Big difference fwiw.

For instance - if I buy a piece of my work from stern - a translite - I own that physical piece and could resell.

What I couldn’t do is print out and sell any of my art that I Created for and sold to them.

I don’t know the licensing details Stern makes with licensors. But as an artist I’m paid to create and give ownership of rights of my creations to stern and the licensor. So the pay reflects the acquisition as well as labor.

Anything else is not part of any contract I’ve seen - but it’s always possible I’m sure.

Translites I’ve sold I had bought from stern to then sell. That’s a physical item you can own

The only exception is Primus. The band allows a print run that some day I’ll do. But that’s because I was technically hired by them for that project.

Out of respect I don’t talk details.