Holy Grail!!!

SHAMSKI · Post by **SHAMSKI** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 16:26 -0700

I had such an incredible find, I thought you guys might appreciate it. I'm a 20+ year Usagi fan and have been collecting from the beginning. I have almost everything on the top 10 collectibles and cool collectibles list. Unfortunately with the exception of the insert cards in the hardbound collections I have no original art. Busy with work and family and on the east coast has made It nearly impossible to make it to the conventions where I could obtain a piece. I was explaining this to the owner of a local comic book chain when he mentioned he might have something. He explained that he had been at a convention a couple years back and customer had asked him to please get him some original art from Mr. Sakai's booth. He said he picked up an original cover for the customer. For some reason he could not reach the guy and he never saw him again? Anyway he thought it was a cool piece so he decided to keep it for his personal collection. He said if I was really interested he would be willing to sell it for the right price. I said I was definitely interested and would like to see it. The owner has several stores in the area and is rarely at my local shop, anytime I saw him I would remind him to bring it in. It had been several weeks and I was beginning to lose hope thinking perhaps he was mistaken or all together forgotten about it. On my last trip to the shop to pick-up issue 103 I noticed a brown paper bag with my name on it behind the counter. I asked the clerk to see it, as he removed it from the bag my jaw hit the ground!!! It was an incredible piece I was absolutely thrilled!!!! Not only was it an original cover but a water color to boot!! It was the cover to issue # 3 "The Wrath of the Tangled Skein". It also had appeared in the 1999 calendar "Monsters and Aliens"

My wife who is an art teacher as well as accomplished artist herself was also impressed and that's hard to do!
anyway it only took 20 years but I finally found the Holy Grail for my collection. I hope to be enjoying Mr. Sakai's art and stories for another 20 years and beyond! http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/654/ ... 233nn3.jpg

morna-san · Post by **morna-san** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 17:48 -0700

Awesome SHAMSKI, congratulations! Beautiful piece!

I have only been an Usagi fan for a few months but what I lack in longevity I make up for in exuberance. My holy grail has been the cover for UY 101 and I'm still marvelling at it's greatness now that I finally have it home. I think I'm off to the framers tomorrow - if I can part with it temporarily....... maybe next week

SHAMSKI · Post by **SHAMSKI** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 18:32 -0700

morna-san, I have been coming to the Dojo site for quite some time but am new to the forums. I was checking out the Motor city comic-con pics and saw that piece you got! I remember when I first saw the preview of that cover. I thought to myself that has got to be one of the all time coolest covers ever!!! Congratulations to you. I'm trying to figure the best way to frame mine, cant decide if I will mat it or what type of frame I will get.

morna-san · Post by **morna-san** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 18:53 -0700

well yours being colour it will require some sensitivity in that regard - having said that I feel the matte makes it more important and can give the piece more pressence AND can enhance the piece a lot if done well. Here are a couple of comic art pieces that I have framed that I'm really happy with. Not cheap but worth every penny!

unfortunately they're all B/W but the framer can help with suggestions - go simple and understated is my advice!

SHAMSKI · Post by **SHAMSKI** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 19:24 -0700

Very cool stuff, looks really good. Thanks for the advice, I will post it when its done.

MikeM · Post by **MikeM** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 5:31 -0700

Shamski, that is an awesome piece.
I have several Usagi prints, and 2 pieces of original Stan artwork. My absolute favourite is Usagi vs Shingen (my favourite character) and one with Usagi and Tomoe Ame.

Now I have 6 things I still need to get framed. Too bad framing is so expensive.

MikeM

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:26 -0700

morna-san wrote:Awesome SHAMSKI, congratulations! Beautiful piece!

My holy grail has been the cover for UY 101

Just as a piece of trivia: Those dots on the upper right corner represents the number of dots on Usagi's clothes, excluding those on his mon. Each dot represents 100 dots on his clothing. So, with 10 dots up there, it means he is wearing 1000 dots, each hand stippled.

go · Post by go » Thu Jun 14, 2007 11:51 -0700

Hello Readers,
Are there 101 skulls?
Best wishes to all!
go

Space Wolf · Post by **Space Wolf** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 14:11 -0700

Hi Shamski, just wanted to say that is a beautiful piece. The colors are just gorgeous. I'd take that over an Alex Ross painting anyday!

My Holy Grail art wise is a freek sketch a friend got me from the Orlando Mega Con this past February. I love it. I hope one day to be able to attend a con that Stan is at to buy some original art.

Congratulations on that fine piece of art!

Ian

SHAMSKI · Post by **SHAMSKI** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 15:06 -0700

Thanks Ian, I'm still amazed every time I look at it! I love reading about the creative process in "The Art Of Usagi Yojimbo" That's another reason im so excited about this piece because it was part of the process of bringing a specific issue to life.
I have a question for Sensei if he can find the time. You explained in "The Art of Usagi Yojimbo" that after inking an original cover it was passed on to Tom Luth for coloring. How is the process different when you do the water color yourself ? Is the original used to make a proof for printing or is the printing some how derived from the original? My other question for you is do you have any favorite covers and how do you determine what you will make available to fans.
Thanks!!!
- Shamski

Space Wolf · Post by **Space Wolf** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 17:51 -0700

Shamsi, how many Art of Usagi books are there? I definitely would like to add that to my Usagi book collection. I'm reading the Usagi trades now, just finished book 5, and while I got more to go I really can't wait to check out Space Usagi!

schtien · Post by **schtien** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 18:15 -0700

Hi SHAMSKI. I’m in a similar boat as yours. I too have been a long time Usagi fan living on the east coast trying to collect everything I could get my hands on. I always wanted to get some of Stan’s original art (yours cover is awesome by the way) But I have always feared the worst buying from a 3rd party. Its hard to tell the real world valve of something you are so emotionally attached to, plus how do you know what you are purchasing is the real thing?

If you don’t mind me asking what did you pay for your cover? The same goes for everyone really that owns some of Stan’s original work. I hope that’s not stepping over the line. I’m just curious as I continue to search for my holy grail.

Thanks
Chris

SHAMSKI · Post by **SHAMSKI** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 18:20 -0700

Space Wolf, there has been 3 "Art of Usagi Yojimbo" The first 2 are comic book sized and have some cool stuff but the latest "The Art of Usagi Yojimbo" book is a large hardcover or softcover book. It is a more comprehensive look at the evolution of Usagi Yojimbo from early beginnings to current story arcs. It has some great paintings as well all kinds of cool extras a must have for any true fan.

SHAMSKI · Post by **SHAMSKI** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 18:41 -0700

Schtein, I completely understand where your coming from. I'm 100% positive this is an authentic cover. First I trust the store owner 2nd I have looked this thing over a million times, every line shadow and dot is identical to the cover. I think something like this would be to hard to forge. Regarding price, its was quite expensive I'm fairly certain the owner made a nice profit . I'm guessing he charged me at least twice what he paid, that said I don't know what he paid? I've never been to a convention with Mr. Sakai and im not sure what the original covers go for. Considering I have been looking for 20 years this was truly my Indiana Jones moment!!! Holy grail, Ark of the Covent etc...etc....I had to deal a bit but the owner didn't realize I would have gone even higher to obtain this piece. Anyway now it is my crown jewel and as far as im concerned its priceless.

morna-san · Post by **morna-san** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 20:18 -0700

I don't think Stan is all that secretive about his prices and neither am I about what I pay for stuff... so I will tell you what I paid recently for my Holy Grail. The cover of UY 101 was 600 US. A very VERY fair price for a piece of its magnificence. This is another benefit of buying stuff directly from the artist. A) you get to meet Stan - one of the sweetest guys around and B) buy art knowing you're paying the true uninflated artist price... C) spend the extra money you would've paid to not-necessarily-scrupulous people on a plane ticket to the nearest con and get all of the above!