Going to your local game store is an odd experience for the uninitiated. Having a gift list that says, “Mind Seize Commander deck 2013,” might be fulfilled, but more likely, it’ll be sold out, and you’ll be receiving a sweater. Sweaters are nice, no doubt, but today, I’m going to create a short list of art-related Magic gifts you can give to that special someone in your life.

From a previous holiday article:

I would move quickly on these items and keep in mind that you might be in line nearly immediately on all of them. If you see a blue link, click on that to contact the owner, artist, or dealer.

On we go!

1. Presence of the Wise Original Art by Christopher Moeller – $250

If you contact Tom Fleming at Fanfare Sports & Entertainment and ask for this piece, make sure you mention I sent you. If you do, he’ll include an artist proof and the original sketch prelim for free!

The painting is 12.5" × 10" acrylic on board.

The prelim sketch is on 8.5" × 11" paper, and the image is 5.5" × 4" and roughly centered.

2. Russet Wolves Original Art by Christopher Moeller – $250

If you contact Tom Fleming at Fanfare Sports & Entertainment and ask for this piece, make sure you mention I sent you. If you do, he’ll include an artist proof and the original sketch prelim for free!

The Russet Wolves painting is 12" × 10" acrylic on board.

The prelim sketch is on 8.5" × 11" paper, and the image is 6.75" × 4.75" and roughly centered.

3. Unchecked Originals – $150 each

These are Kyren Glider original art by Daren Bader and Saving Grasp original art by Matt Stewart.

I heard from a little bird that these were available.

Both artists aren’t the easiest to get in touch with, but they’re well worth checking into at that price!

4. Cartographer Giclee 18" × 14" by Donato Giancola – $75

Donato’s giclee numbered prints, such as the Cartographer above, are incredible-looking on his cotton rag paper. He has other options as well, such as Shivan Dragon, but the above Spectrum-included image is incredible. He can be easily contacted through his website—he’s the nicest man.

5. Ghitu Firebreathing by Jim Nelson – $200

Jim responds very quickly to e-mail via his blog. I like this piece, as it’s a firebreathing concept—in terms of Magic: The Gathering—while still being at an approachable price. I think it would be a great addition to a basement or game room. I also like his Rakdos Riteknife at $300 as well!

6. Dungeon Shade Original Art by Jason Alexander Behnke – $300 (framed)

I have to include OriginalMagicArt.com (OMA) in this article, as their marketplace is a fantastic spot to find some original artworks. This one is already framed, making it accessible and being sold by OMA’s admin. Contact him directly for this level of creepy: Originalmagicart at gmail dot com.

Never forget the amount of cost framing will add to your piece. Here, it’s done for you!

7. Various Giclees at 11" × 14" by Peter Mohrbacher – $350

Peter’s Kickstarter project is going on right now, and since he works digitally, numbered giclees are the closest to original art that you can find. They’re numbered to 10 and signed.

Choices are Knight of Glory, Blood Scrivener, Swan Song, Erebos, God of the Dead, and Animar, Soul of Elements.

8. Ajani Comic Book Cells by Dave Dorman – Under $100

Dave painted the Gathering Forces, Part I comic, and each cell he made as an actual painting. That’s crazy-rare these days. Get the Ajani ones; they’re gritty and depictions of planeswalkers. He has a bunch, so contact him directly, but they’re all in the $50–$150 range, with most being under $100.

9. "Fallen Empires Comic" by Alex Maleev – $100

7" × 10" mixed media on paper

Occasionally, Anthony’s Comic Book Art picks up a few early Magic comic pages or original artworks. While it says it’s from Fallen Empires, it isn’t, it’s from the Arabian Nights #2 comic book, listed in the image here. This one is a bit of an obscure comic and page, but for that price, fully colored, that’s not too shabby at all!

10. Original Sketches by Zach Stella – $75 to $100

• Ivory Giant – $100 (three versions)
• Treefolk Shaman token – $100 (three versions)
• Liturgy of Blood – $100 (three versions)
• Reach of Branches – $100 (three unused versions)
• Chosen by Heliod – $75
• Battlewise Valor – $75
• Ephara's Warden – $75 (two versions)

Zach is blowing up right now, and I’d absolutely grab a couple of his sketches along with a print. It can make a really cool series of four images placed together in the right frame. It’s a decent cost, too. (I’d pick the Chosen by Heliod, but that’s just me.)

11. Spectrum 20: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art - $28.46

Always go to eleven. It’s one louder.

This is the coffee table book you should update each year until Magic art books begin to be made.

Magic gets a large grouping in “Institutional” each year, and it’s hardcover. I have mine already.

Go buy art, get addicted, and beautify your house!

Happy holidays!

-Mike