Rebecca Guay FIRED from Magic!

[rancored_elf]

A friend and I recently found out that our favourite Magic artist was fired from WotC! The new art director doesn't like her artwork. You may have noticed that Legions has NOTHING from her brush (and is overall a pretty mediocre set for art).

Here is a copy of the email from Rebecca:

Sadly, the new art director, Jeremy Cranford, thinks my work is too feminine for the vision he has for the game. I would love to continue with Magic but it is not in my hands.

You can write Wizards if you like:

Jeremy Cranford
Wizards of the Coast
1801 Lind Ave SW
Renton Wa 98055
USA

I'm not sure he can be swayed - seeing as his decision is not very popular even at WOTC - and that does not effect him. (editted for spacing)

Here are a few of my favourite Guay cards:

Priest of Titania
Pine Barrens
Starlit Angel
Wonder
Norwood Warrior
Fecundity

When people debate about the best artist in MtG, she is always right up there with John Avon and Ron Spencer. She singlehandedly makes Magic artwork worthy of collecting, in my opinion.

Here's a link to her webpage: click

Does anyone know what we can do? Could we find Jeremy Cranford's email address? Will anyone join me in mailing off a note to his office at WotC, protesting this decision? He says he doesn't like her artwork... but as far as I know, the players do, and shouldn't the players be the ones who matter?

EDIT1: click here to check out the discussion going on at the WotC forums.

EDIT2: click here to sign the online petition against Rebecca's dismissal.

EDIT3: click here to check out the front page article on this topic, which is getting us a lot of exposure.

EDIT4: Click on any Rebecca Guay avatar you see, to save it and use it for your own avatar. Join the silent protest!

EDIT5: Mr. Cranford's email address appears to be Jeremy.Cranford@wizards.com - you can try emailing him there as well as sending a letter to the above address.

[Ender]

I dont really like her style, but she does make fantastic arts. I am most definatly writing Wizards to complain.

[Jon]

...I love her art, she's one of my all-time favorite Magic artists.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, rancored_elf.

Edit: Ok, I wrote a letter to Ask Wizards:

I recently read that it has been decided that Rebecca Guay will no longer contribute artwork for Magic: the Gathering, and that this decision is neither one that she can control nor is it one that she is in favor of.
Is this true? If so, why?
Rebecca Guay is, I think, one of the most talented artists who has ever contributed artwork for this game, and both her and her work is popular with both players and non-players alike. Her work brings a quality and uniqueness to the game which may, I think, some day be sorely missed.
Is there anything that we, the Magic community, can do to affect the outcome of this decision? Thank you.

Edit: And I signed the petition.

[Ender]

After an extensive search of Wizards' site, I can not find an email address for Mr. Cranford here. I suggest we could all email Rosewater asking him to forward the letters to Mr. Cranford.

[eelektrik]

Well, Now I know why she had no art in Legions, I always check because one of my friends collects her cards. And just because her art is done in watercolors doesnt make it feminine, and even then does the new art director think females shouldnt be playing the game or something?

[rianalnn]

Snail mail will have to do for now, although here is a thread on WotC's own forums - it's right under their nose, + it has good suggestions on how to tone your letter to Jeremy

Don't be afraid of that stamptaste!!

[moggmaniac]

That's a pity she leaves, I am not a big fan of her, but her art is definitely not bad. I don't think I'm gonna write Wizards to ask if they might consider to get her back, because I don't think it works that way.

[rianalnn]

..but it could be that way, if people voiced their opinions through appropriate channels.

[rant] Since I found out about this, I've read a lot of distressing threads about the current image overhaul happening to Magic right now. I think the final alarm bell rang for me while I was reading a discussion about WotC's decision to move away from 'transparent' mediums such as watercolors (like R.Guay's work) to what they were calling 'fully painted' mediums - oil, acrylics, + digital work. The example they gave was an old Quinton Hoover image, Pixie Queen, next to a new one, Firebrand Ranger. Or compare Vesuvan Doppelganger - the difference hurts...+ they attributed it to Quinton changing his style to be allowed to continue to 'fit in' with Magic's modern image. I don't like the comic book art all the time. I miss Richard Kane-Ferguson, Drew Tucker, + Julie Baroh...I mean, Stasis, WTF is that about? I _love_ that picture though.

I understand WotC's desire to have a consistant product image, + to be keeping up with the times. I don't think they should abandon the crazy cool arcane fantasy art...just like they shouldn't have abandoned real-world literary quotes. People dig on that stuff. It makes Magic enjoyable on another level entirely, makes it into something more than just a card game. [/rant]

[Rabit]

This is disappointing on a number of levels. Rebecca's work is beautiful, and I am going to sorely miss her work. She is one of few artists that I actually look for in a set.

On another level, this tells me that they are taking the art in a direction that I personally do not like. Magic art has always been more than just card art - they are works of art that happened to have been shrunk down and printed onto cardboard. Treating it as something else - as it seems they are now doing - is... disappointing.

I'm going to write, and I'll be contacting friends to do the same.

Rabit

[Crimson Avatar]

*drops jaw then officially falls over japanese anime style*

What in the world is that guy thinking?? I think Rebecca's got some great art to her name and this might have been one of the dumbest moves in the history of Magic Art ever done. I liked her version of Angelic Page and her Serra Angel is beyond good.

It's sad how I'm pretty much sure no matter what we do it wont get her back on WotC's art crew but I will definitely miss her. She was probably the last good "real" artist if anyone knows what im talkin about.

[Rabit]

I just thought of something. Does anyone know who Jeremy Cranford reports to within Wizards of the Coast? Rebeca is correct - we will probably not be able to sway him, as his mind is obviously set on the course he has taken. However, we can show those he reports to that the course he is taking is not the best for Magic, and maybe we can get them to change his mind.

It's worth a shot...

Rabit

[Ryo0oki]

While I don't really like Rebecca Guay's artwork, I agree that this guy is... quite delusional. The majority of Magic players think that she is one of the best Magic artists. I also found it interesting how he stated that her artwork was too "feminine." Are you sure this isn't a hoax? The guy sounds like an idiot to me.

-Ryo0oki

[kriz_riktr]

I would bet that his email is Jeremy.Cranford@wizards.com. That is the usual format for most WotC employees. I will try sending an email there. If it doesn't get returned then it is probably his address.

[VampireLouie]

I think this is really a dumb move on the part of this guy. Rebecca has been with Magic since fifth edition. Or was it earlier than that?
Who cares, she does wonderful work, and should not ne fired because ONE ******* thinks her art is to femenine.

My alltime fav RG art..... Dark Ritual (MM). That is my alltime fav card, so any other choice would make no sence to me.

Anyway, she will be missed. I will also write a letter to this guy to see what happens.

[Timothy, MimeSlayer]

Next thing you know, RK Post won't make anymore cause his artwork is weird looking. This is disgustful. Guay is cool beyond all means.