I think it’s a dicey subject, yes.

I do own art that various creators have given me over the years, but I’ve always refrained from asking for anything, for exactly this reason. it’s a conflict of interests. if you’re that artist, do you suddenly feel as though you have no choice but to sell that piece to a person who might be responsible for giving you additional work? Do you even feel as though there’s an unspoken subtext that you should offer it to them as a gift to avoid problems in the future?

Even if there’s no ill intent, the whole process feels tainted. So I do not indulge in it, and I do not think that other editors should.

I have no problem with buying art through any artist’s art dealer like any other prospective buyer if there’s something that I want.