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(I save this post in case I need another one!)

Mostly my ideas are:

As for number one, I think it should be an open shop. We're responsible for paying our artists to do our art. Get it all in one go if you want, but you can't actually USE it unless it's been approved and you've finished questing. Since Sosi would still have to cert things, I think this approach would work well.

Though I don't think anyone would get all their art at once, lol. It's a low-hassle situation, that way you are responsible for as little as possible.

As for new Fa'e, I think we need them. Not second gens, but first gens, or even possibly more Lost Children. Approved questers, like in the LC contest, can duke it out, or be voted in, or whatever. We like their quest, they can commission art and start RPing.

For number 2, I think all you really need is one or two people to approve quests, and keep an eye on things. A small group that answers to you, Sosi. To approve things, come up with plot ideas, what have you. I think you get the gist?

/2cents

I don't know if I should post here since at best i am a silent quester but, here goes:

1. An open shop sounds good, but maybe with a list of 'recommended artists' or something? i mean, it sounds dumb as a stick but when i see a huuuge disparity between art styles in a shop it kind of throws me, and then i develop a trend towards one artist or another. Also, even if you go out to get your own artist, there could be a delay, or a lack of quality- there's no guarantee with going out on your own. It seems risky... it's better, I think, to have people who know where we're coming from. Also, a find-your-own-artist thing might not work for breedings? Some artists are kind of uncomfortable with "Hey, draw me a kid from these guys' traits."...

2. I agree with Silv, but it shouldn't be, like, really huge. Maybe teams of two for each section? Fa'e is big enough, easy, to handle like teams of three or five, even. But it doesn't seem very smart- the too many cooks thing again, right?

1. For art, I think it could be a good idea to allow individual guardians to commission their own art. However, as a few people have said, it does put less financially well-off Gaians at a disadvantage. Anya's beautiful art was one of the things that initially drew many of us to the Fa'e, and I think, to some extent, we might want to set some kind of standard. What I mean is that it is nice to have some kind of continuity with the artwork, which would be easiest if we limited the number of artists working on the Fa'e.

I, personally, throw my weight behind the finding permanent artists idea. Perhaps we could see if we could find two artists or so who would be willing to act as Fa'e artists. We could ask them to set a fee for how much it will take them to do a growing to a particular stage, and then Sosi would just act as the liaison telling them who needs growing. The guardians would still be responsible for payment, but the kids would all still look similar in style and guardians would not have to search high and low to find a good artist.

2. I don't like the idea of involving more than 3 or so people in the management. I think it will just complicate things. I think two guardians who are around all the time and have the time to dedicate should just take some responsibilities off of Sosi's shoulders. One can be in charge of the RP side of things mainly, and the other can help with the more administrative aspect, handling growings and artists and such. Of course, all three would collaborate on major decisions. And for things like a special event, we could bring additional help in, but we should try to keep the permanent leadership to a smaller number.

3. I'm not sure how I feel about voting questors in. I think that right now the priority should be on giving out the Fa'e that have been stuck in limbo--including second generation Fa'e. If the wheels have been in motion for someone to get a second generation Fa'e and they are just waiting on art, I don't think it's fair to tell them no while giving other people Fa'e. If we have other artists, we'd be able to control the speed at which they evolve, if people are concerned about babies not being able to interact as much. Once those people have their children, then I think we can enter into talks about having another contest, but I, like ZD, worry about favoritism and things getting messy.



Annnnnnnnd... that's all I have to say! (Actually, after rereading ZD's post, I think I mostly echoed the things that she has said.)

As far as the artist thing goes, I personally would love it if we had staff artists again. One concern is seeing Fa'e become some kind of circle jerk about who has the connections, talent, or money to get the best art. Simply put, some people have none of the above and aren't going to be able to come up with amazing art. The second concern is that, well, it's sort of a unifying thing. Consistency or whatever you want to call it. I would opt for searching out a few good artists who can match Anya's caliber of work. Not her style, of course, but the level of "ooh and aaah" factor. Get a few dedicated artists who really want to do this, and put them in charge of it. But the idea of everyone just picking their own artist doesn't really sit super fantastically with me.

My suggestion would be to take applications for a few weeks with a "trial image" where the artists pick a Fa'e and draw a growth for it. The head staff can sort through the applications and pick out several. Then throw the art (not the artists names) up in a poll for Guardians to vote on. And yes, I said Guardians. I say that because those are the people who I think we should be most concerned with being happy with new artists at the moment. Lurkers, I love you, but there are a lot of people who have been stuck in limbo for a long time.

And voila, take the top 2 or 3 and make them staff artists.

We shouldn't worry about the "Artist X could have drawn this better" crap because we shouldn't be catering to dramateers. I don't think it's wise to base our decisions on how much people might BAAAAWWW over it.

Of course, none of this affects me personally, because I love Runes art so damn much that I'll probably keep it forever. But that's my opinion.

Second, we need to lose the dead weight.

There are Fa'e that have never really been RPed, have owners who aren't interested in ever RPing again, etc. I'm not saying they should be killed off or any such thing, but perhaps moved to an "Inactive" state. There are a ton of Fa'e, and if we're going to be seeing new RPers and such, I think it would be a good idea to clear out the ranks for those who really are interested in resurrecting the community.

I don't like the idea of an "open-open" community where literally anybody can come up with a concept, get it approved, and then pay for someone to do the art. I think the fact that people had to quest, work on their writing, and get to know people in the community was a pretty integral part of what made Fa'e such a great place to be a part of.

I also don't like the idea of voting questers in. There's nothing wrong with the old tried and true contest/event method. Yes, having too many people CAN hurt. Part of the joy of Fa'e is that you usually have to actually really want one to eventually get one. It's not really an "on the whim" pet.

@>@ my poor fa'e. My haitus and RL issues are just killing my RP time with him.

1. I don't mind having several artists working here. I'm sorry to hear that anya isn't coming back tho. If need be I can work for free on a few fae stages if no one else will do them.

2. I think we need several people in charge of fae. It's grown pretty big. Dauntinly big infact.

Total coincidence my avatar is already tree-ified, too.

Didn't really participate in the main thread discussion, though I saw it. Um. Feel awkward, haven't been on Gaia much lately, am really only coming back significantly very recently. Have been involved in and running a RP off of Gaia. Would love to get playing Glee again, though.

1.) Um. Is it bad that I have no fixed, definite opinion in regards to artwork? I think it's probably a good idea to have guardians responsible for their own art, even if at the same time it makes me go, huh I have no idea what I'd have to pay for that or if I even can.

2.) If you need help, you need help. I think you might want to appoint people to cover various duties, and lighten the load. There's been some good ideas on this brought up, I won't repeat them, it really comes down to what you find preferable.