2011 Year in Review & 2012 Cel/Sketch Resolutions

[cutiebunny]

Alrightie...it's time for the yearly Beta tradition! As the year comes to a close, it's time to revive the 6th Annual "Year in Review & Cel/Sketch Resolution" thread. Rant and Rave about your experience this year and what you think might be in store for you in 2012.

And hey, who knows...if the freaky guy on those Mayan programs on the History Channel has his way, this could be the last of these topics ever....mwahahaha!


Ok, so...on with the questions...


1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.

2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.

3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?

4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.

5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?
(see viewtopic.php?f=70&t=28058 for quick reference)



1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.

Last year I wrote about how happy I was to network with other collectors at conventions over a mutual love of original artwork and that I really wanted to expand on this in 2011. I really focused on this aspect this year by introducing some attendees to this hobby, but also by teaming up with fellow Betarians and other collectors to acquire artwork. There's a wide variety of collectors out there, and some are more friendly than others. It was fun joking around with some of these collectors in line, talking about our stuff, having a face to associate the collection by and giving out manga recommendations.

I was also really touched at AM2 this year when the organizers of the charity auction allowed the winners some 1-on-1 time with both artist guests. I never got to experience that before.

The worst thing that happened to my gallery this year is that all the hard work I spent making gifs for my artwork seems to have gone up in smoke. I had all my images stored on villagephotos and paid for their services so that I could store and link to them as needed. I've used them since 2003. Then, in late October, without any warning, the website crashed. I keep hoping that the site will come up, or at least long enough to get my images and relocate them elsewhere but I guess there were some people that also used the site to store viruses. It angers me that it's always a few nutjobs that ruin it for everyone - everything I stored on my account was legitimate.

So much for storing stuff in the clouds...


2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.

I didn't want to label it under the first question, but, due to the industry's response towards relief efforts for Japan, I was able to add a lot of new items. The majority of purchased shikishi this year went towards tsunami relief, and all but a couple of sketches I bought this year all benefited charity. It's great that so many artists have come out of the woodwork and made new items for charity purposes. So, for me, the most surprising thing was not that there were additions, but that there were so many of them.

3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?

I think the best I can do is limit it to one cel and one sketch. My favorite sketch this year is the Sailor Moon & Chibimoon sketch, and my favorite cel would be the Mewtwo hanken I won at the last BWA.

4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.

Last year I mentioned the exchange rate and forgeries. These are still of a concern to me, but, I find myself more concerned over the crop of collectors I've run into the past year. They have no interest in helping others and, if they can screw you over, they will...gladly. They'll hold it over you, and if you manage to get anything that they wanted, they'll remind you of it. And it's these same people that will scream bloody murder if they are not given preferential treatment or feel that they were 'cheated' out of something else that everyone else got. If anything, 2011 provided me with ample material as to whom you can and can not trust.

Thank goodness that there are more good people in this hobby than bad ones.


5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.

I've been very good this year at focusing and going after things that I really like. And, as long as I can afford it, I plan on doing so in 2012.

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?

I said I would spend less money than I did in 2006 and 2007. Since this was when I was making the bulk of my Sailor Moon cel purchases, then, yes, I did keep my resolution. I did purchase less this year than the last year, but overall, I think I spent the same.

[ReiTheJelly]

1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.

I felt I was able to refocus my collection a little bit, this year. By taking a step back from this hobby, I was able to decide which pieces really meant the most to me and begin the process of culling the rest. In the end, I feel this will really help me reconnect with my collection.


2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.

I sold some items I never thought I'd ever sell, including some Rainbow Brite artwork, my cel of Gorgeous Rose from AMG!, and one of my favorite MKR pieces.


3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?

I found some original Rainbow Brite artwork, including cover art for a coloring book. I also found a cel of The Mirror from CCS, something which I have spent 8 years looking for.


4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.

I have seen quality CCS items basically dry up, thus skyrocketing the prices on the pieces which do appear. I have also, for the first time in my 8 years of collecting, met a serious douche. This person realized they weren't getting good prices on eBay for their items, so they're now pitting collectors against each other in these weird cloak-and-dagger offer periods in which they are in very poor contact - sometimes weeks go by between messages. The items they are offering are from one of my favorite series, so I'm really sad to see this type of behavior. Due to this (and other reasons), I am becoming more distanced from this hobby than ever before, which makes me unhappy.


5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.

Set specific goals for CCS. Go through my DVDs and screen-cap specific items I want. Don't buy anything not on the list.
At this point, my collecting foci are CCS and Miyuki-chan. There is no real point in screen-capping Miyuki-chan, as cels rarely appear on the market.

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?

My resolution last year was to Spend less. Spend wisely. I feel that I've done that; I've definitely spent far less on cel collecting this year than I have in a long time. I've made some mid-price purchases, but they were excellent additions to .

[star-phoenix]

1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.

I managed to find the very first color animation cel from a cartoon. I have been searching for this piece since I began collecting vintage art several years ago.

2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.

I managed to find some very wonderful treasures this year that I never suspected I would have, and that is all thanks to the wonderful support of my lovely hubby!

3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?

Definitely the 1932 Flowers and Trees cel with Key Master Background.
http://starphoenix.rubberslug.com/galle ... mID=325360

4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.

I am going to actually elaborate on this part. This year has been a bit of a sweet and sour year. I have managed to nab some huge gems, but also missed one of my Holy Grails as well. I found out who nabbed the piece and later turned and resold it for 10 times mark up from when I was originally offered and was not able to buy it. Also missed out on some AMAZING pieces because of some major non-cel related life changing experiences (the good and bad). These experiences really put me at a new perspective in collecting.

5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.

I would like to keep an eye out for some amazing vintage pieces, and not let them pass me by this time around.

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?
I think so for the most part.

[graymouser]

It is great to see this thread again. I always love to see what and how everyone is doing. Cutiebunny and Rei, I am so sorry that you had such negative experiences. Hopefully things will imoprove in the new year.

1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.

There were several good changes. The most exciting to me is that I rewrote some of the code for my gallery. The gallery pretty much looks the same so it does seem like a lot of work for nothing, but I feel good about adding in the extra flexibility.

2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.

I actually spent quite a bit of money on a sketch. It wasn't even from an anime. It is a detailed pencil drawing of the Shire from LOTR. I did a horrible job of scanning it, but it is so pretty and the detail is incredible in person.

3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?

Its a tie between the opening transformation cel of Hikaru from MKR (was looking for 8 years) and the VHD closeup of D after he catches the arrow.

4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.

I guess I am lucky. I have not had any bad problems with other collectors. Of course I am a bit of a loner, so the number of interactions isn't that high anyways. As usual, I wish there were more cels from the shows I collect from to buy. Unfortunately, I do not see that getting any better with time.

5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.

Probably the same as last year. I need to relax and be more impulsive. With so few cels showing up from the main shows I collect from, there is little reason to hold back on other purchases. If I think it is pretty, I should just go for it.

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?

Last year's resolution is pretty much the same as this year's. I did get a little better towards the end of the year. That is why my Black Jack, MKR, and X sections have increased so much.

[JWR]

1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.

I was able to share our collection with a few friends that were in town and able to visit the house and see a lot of the things that never leave the house.

2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.

That I found 3 different nice Hanken sketches from Sister Princess for reasonable prices.

3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?
I was able to pick up a nice pan sketch from Girls Bravo I had been outbid on at a YJ Auction when the seller decided to sell off a large chunk of their collection.

http://ryan.rubberslug.com/gallery/inv_ ... mID=330764

4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.

The $ to Yen exchange.

5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.

I do expect that my cel purchases will decrease this year for I plan on focusing more on comic book art.

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?

Yes

[Quacker]

1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.

Being able to still pick up some quality top-end cels from my favourite series' as well as also being able to expand out into other anime series' (both old & new) that I have started to enjoy.

2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.

The number of 'wishlist' gems I was able to acquire, mostly from 'Escaflowne', 'Evangelion', 'Fate/Stay Night' & even 'K-on'.

3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?

Oh Geez, I do not think I can pick out an absolute, clear-cut favourite - but definitely the K-On reproduction of Mio End Credit is up there, which also marks my first ever Mandarake auction win. There was another beautiful Nausicaa cel added, as well as a few F/SN Rilezu from both the TV series and the 'Unlimited Bladeworks' movie. The Rilezus from the movie are real standouts due to their sheer artistry, they definitely take a centre stage within my collection.

4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.

It has been mentioned already, but my main concern over the past year has been the dismal USD to JPY currency conversion. Adding to the FX-dramas are also the additional deputy fees charged for each purchase.
Whether these have increased over the course of the last 12-18months or have become more prevalent due to the poor FX USD/JPY conversions, I cannot say. But now, when deciding whether to participate in an YHJ auction or not, I basically double the current bid price - so JPY5,000 will equal USD100.00!?
But on the Bright side, this all helps me to maintain my current stance of "Do I really need this, do I really want this cel"?

5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.

I hope this year that the Business project I have been working upon comes to fruition; hopefully within the next the next six months actually.
I honestly would not mind going a little crazy on the cel purchases again ala 2008/09 and chase after everything that takes my fancy. Also aim to start expanding out into new series, diversifying the gallery to cover more genres.

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?

Believe I pretty much stuck to my self-imposed spending crackdown allowing me to concentrate & save funds for use elsewhere.

[Sui Kune]

1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.
My soft-subbed Sailormoon episodes. I do have the North American release DVDs, but the quality is lightyears behind that of the R2 DVDs used in the subs (I believe this was due to Toei only releasing the same master tapes used for the old dub to the companies). The color is also slightly enhanced for that extra rich look. They've been absolutely indispensable for screenshots and sequence animated GIFs.

2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.
It happened Christmas Day actually. It's en-route and will be in my gallery soon, so let's just say the rarest seen of all of Hotaru's forms in artwork is on her way.

3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?
Aforementioned in #2 piece, and my breathtaking Stars Hotaru. All the pieces I've obtained this year are very cherished though, I don't even like choosing two.

4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.
Since I don't really worry about the cutthroat nature of collecting (I'm used to it in Pokemon toy collecting and I have amazing friends who outweigh it by-far), I worry that I entered cel collecting too late for the pieces on my wishlist. Have they all dried up and gone into the artwork black hole?

5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.
Pay off two major wishlist items (one non-artwork but still very important in the following), and prepare for major wishlist items. I'm ready for them in 2012, baby!

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?
I've gained a lot more self-control, so while I'm not debt-free, I am overall much better about my finances and am finally becoming prepared for the event of what I call Kidney Cels.

[zerospace]

1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.

The Gundam Wing section grew by... some ridiculous amount this year! Thanks to a re-release of the Gundam Wing movie & someone unloading a large collection of GW cels on YJ, I was able to acquire lots of interesting new stuff from the series this year. Woo hoo! I was also able to clean out a large portion of our "unloved" pieces via direct sales and eBay.

2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.

I think the most surprising thing (though really, it shouldn't surprise me), is that my collection actually SHRUNK as opposed to grew over the past year. We were able to sell a lot of artwork this year, so overall, I think the size decreased, rather than increased.

3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?

This is almost always a toss-up between a few. Here's the short list this year:
http://www.zero-space.net/gallery2/disp ... temid=3216
http://www.zero-space.net/gallery2/disp ... temid=3191
http://www.zero-space.net/gallery2/disp ... temid=3260
http://www.zero-space.net/gallery2/disp ... temid=3257
http://www.zero-space.net/gallery2/disp ... temid=3239


4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.

Anymore, I don't get concerned about much when it comes to collecting. I just collect what I want (if I see anything I want), and that's that. The lack of really high quality artwork from my favorite shows is a little worrisome, but I suppose it is to be expected.

5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.

Continue to reduce the size of my/my husband's overall collection - as we've been doing.

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?

For the most part, yes. We did reduce our collection size, and we're continuing to do so pretty much on schedule. In fact, I think its time for some new eBay listings!

[sensei]

1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.

Although this may not be visible in the online version, I think I have made some major inroads in making the condition of my collection stable for the long term. I rebagged much of my collection, got most of the dougas (originally just slipped in behind the cel in its bag) into their own bags, and added microchamber paper to most of the bags with my sketch sets. I feel much more secure about its future, and also believe that I have it much better organized than it's been at any time since its first years.

2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.

I'm surprised that I've gone so dramatically into "golden age" anime. Many of the names were just names on Mandarake that I'd slip past in search of the well-known series of the 90s. But as the selections from these have grown less exciting, I've found myself looking more closely at some of these "unknowns" in terms of visual quality. And so two years ago I'd find it hard to believe that I would be spending much time looking at Microid S or Maeterlinck's Blue Bird.

3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?

I've done a big 2011 in Review quirky tour, in which I gave first prize to a series that had been most improved in quality. But if I had to go with a single lot, I'd have to go, a little quirkily, to the page of seven view camera photographs that I won off Mandarake that turned out to contain previously unknown color tests for Pippi Longstocking, an abandoned early project by Miyazaki and Takahata. That was amazing to find and mind-stretching to view.

4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.

Probably I was most disturbed by the threat of Hurricane Irene. The possibility that our house would be damaged by wind, falling debris, and/or seawater was quite real. I had to confront the reality that, in such an event, I might well lose 80% of my collection. And that's made me think, once again, about the final disposition of the collection that's meant a lot of personal joy for me. What can I do that would ensure that, once I'm no longer around, that the information it contains will be preserved? I don't know yet.

5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.

See below.

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?

I said, "I need to catalog my collection," and by golly, I did, though not to final completion. I have now about half my cel books catalogued, a task made easier by doing some extensive reorganizing to put related cels physically together in the books by series, character, or episode. And while I need to do the spreadsheet work, the contents of my boxes of sketches are now much more logically organized by episode and cut. The problems now are the "outriders" that are in oddball books or boxes because they are odd sizes. So I resolve to get this done to the last item. That may, in turn, make the job of looking for a final home for this collection easier.

And who knew there were so many Tennimon cels!

[sugarcels]

1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.

I bought more storage folders, LOL! I have mostly kept my cels in my closet, without much rhyme or reason to how they are placed. When I finally bought more profolios, it brought the "load" down and helped me organize.

2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.

I learned that I shouldn't be afraid to contact people and ask them if they are willing to part with a particular cel. I got some pretty good stuff after I plucked up the courage!

3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?

I was pretty happy to get a cel that I thought I would never see again. It's from the anime Norakuro-kun and it depicts a race that is about to start. I saw the cel on Y!J but didn't have money at the time to bid. About a year later it showed up again and I was very happy to get it!

4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.

I worry that I came into cel collecting too late. Even though I started in 2004, I'm sure I missed out on a lot of my wish cels. Now most of them are probably sitting in an apartment in Japan in a box never to be scanned or seen again I am sad that I am always losing auctions or am unable to bid in the first place, because I don't have as much to spend as it seems other fans do. I wish I could forge friendships with other cel collectors, but I'm unable to attend cons and the like.

5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.

To not take it so hard when I lose an auction. To focus on my wishlist and "to buy" list, and not be tempted to get a cel simply because it is cheaper. To not buy a cel from a certain series because I feel obligated to update a certain section of my site.

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?
(see viewtopic.php?f=70&t=28058 for quick reference)

I didn't make one last year

[Eternal Wind]

1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.
It's almost ready to be published online. It's been a ridiculously long process. Life's been busy!

2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.
I was able to reunite with some old cels I used to own, and to me that's invaluable. It fascinates me to know that cels can go all the way across the world and be enjoyed by others for years, only to make their way back around in due time. I love that about this hobby.

3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?
http://eternalwind.rubberslug.com/galle ... mID=333931
I really like the expression this piece shows. There was nothing particularly poignant about the scene, but this is one of my favorite cels.

4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.
I don't seem to know when to stop? My bank account is crying. Though, I suppose what concerns me most is the dry market. Little seems to be showing up these days for the series I collect.

5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.
My resolution is to get my entire gallery online.

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?
I wasn't actively posting. Here's to next year!

[kizu]

1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.
I finally unveiled my holy grail (a Saitou cel of course)! I located it late 2010 but wasn’t able to acquire it until mid 2011! Plus I’ve added a good amount of artwork related to Shinsengumi shows like PMK and Hakuouki!

2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.
I finally got a PMK Saitou – thanks to Gonzai and friends (Thank you!)

3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?
http://hajimenokizu.rubberslug.com/gall ... mID=331852 (lots of hard work on this one!)
http://hajimenokizu.rubberslug.com/gall ... mID=340038 (I just think it represent his fictional persona so well!)

4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.
Well there’s not a lot of cels anymore. And I still prefer to collect cels than sketches. I’ve bought a few rilezu and they are wonderful but I really like cels better out of everything. It’s also almost impossible to get very nice Rurouni Kenshin cels *sigh*

5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.
Continue being true to my collecting heart! More Shinsengumi, more RK and more Saitou! Heh. I’m quite a simple person.

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?
Nope I did not. I still kept on complaining that there’s hardly anything to add to my gallery. >_< Hehehe! It’s fun to complain!

Happy New Year!

[ginga123]

I know, I know... I'm late as usual...I guess I'm on "Tenma Time" as School Rumble would put it

1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection in 2011.

For some reason unbeknownest to me during the past year my gallery got bumped from Page 3 on the RS Tags to Page 2. I was surfing around one lazy afternoon, checking out all kinds of cool galleries, made the discovery. I had to refresh the page to make sure I wasn't crazy.

2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.

The most surprising thing that has happened to my gallery/collection was Anime Blues Con 2011. Quite a few anime fans knew about my gallery had all kinds of questions for me once the word got out thanks to my con buds (and I really wanted anoniminity lol.) It felt a little awkward being treated like a guest speaker; however, I really pushed the conversation to PR towards preservation and Rubberslug. One fan made me a new home page banner, now currently on display. *thank you! you're very nice*

3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2011?

At this point it is a tie between Monochromatic Mistress 9 and genga/dougas from Spice and Wolf, both now currently on display. I hope these choices reflect a diverse sense in taste.

4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.

Yen to USD exchange rate; market trend slowing on the acetate side as genga from newer CG shows surface for auction; certain animation characters becoming more rare and may/may not drive up price

5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2012.

Try to organize my CG collection. I don't even know where to begin to, what's best, etc. Any tips would be great. My biggest fear is becoming a paper hoarder.

6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2011?

I wish! Despite wanting to expand upon a section that really needed some updating, I went in the polar opposite direction and opened a new CG section. *someone slap me on the hand please* Though cels are out there for purchase, I only made 2 new cel additions in 2011. Maybe my tastes are changing again?? I'm definitely not new to the hobby-- it will be 7 years this year.