Forum donations
 

You will notice a new link in the right column of the Forum for making a donation to help support the ongoing costs of maintaining this Forum. Some of the old-timers will remember that we had an earlier topic where I asked everyone's opinion regarding required vs. optional payments for the Forum. There was certainly a mix of answers. In the end, I've decided to go with an optional payment, trusting that those who find this Forum of great value and are financially able will choose to donate on a regular basis.

There are many members who have stated that the Forum has literally changed their careers. Other members who teach workshops or sell teaching tools get new contacts through this Forum.

The Portrait Artist Forum may appear to be "free." However, as with all things, there are costs associated with maintaining it. For example:

(1) Renewal of software license every year

(2) Installation of software upgrades during the year. Usually these are due to the developer finding a security loophole, so these upgrades important to maintain. We pay a technician to do these installations. Usually there are an average of 2-3 of these a year.

(3) Spellcheck feature does not automatically come with the vBulletin forum software. This is paid to a third party provider and is priced at $10/1,000 checks.

(4) Bandwidth costs. These are difficult to exactly identify since they are included in with the main Stroke of Genius web site. However, the bandwidth and associated costs definitely jumped up significantly after the creation of the Forum.

We appreciate your support!

I don't have a Paypal account. Can I do it by credit card or check?

Yes, you can do it by credit card. You don't need to have a PayPal account. You will be asked to fill out all the normal information as for any credit card transaction. Through PayPal is the preferred method.

Cynthia,

My donation has been made and it is worth every penny to me. I think you will find that the generosity of the member will suprise you. Best wishes. This is a great site.

Regarding being able to pay w/an existing credit card:
When I went to set payment up as a recurring payment, there didn't seem to be an option to use an existing credit card just PayPal, however, when I backed up and used the single payment choice, there was an option to pay with an existing credit card. So I set up a tickler on my computerized calendar for a year from now.

Thanks Cynthia!

Worth its weight....
 

Cynthia -

This site is "worth its weight in gold" to me. I can't begin to say how much I have learned from it. I am happy to make a donation ahd hope others will show their appreciation too.

If I haven't said it before, I will say it now - thanks for all your hard work.

Julie Deane

Thank you, everyone!

Terri, are you saying that you already have a credit card set up with PayPal but that it did not allow you to access it? or you have never had a PayPal account and it would not allow you to enter your card?

I don't have a PayPal account. I wanted to pay with just an existing (non-PayPal) credit card. Clicking on the 'Donations' link opens a page with 2 options: 1) Recurring annual payment and 2)Single payment. I first tried to set up a donation as a recurring annual payment... but that opens up a form that requests information to set up a PayPal account. I didn't see an option to just use an existing credit card... (maybe I missed it?) So, I backed up to the page with the 2 options and tried the 2nd 'single payment' option. This opened a screen where you're immediately given a choice to pay with an existing credit card, or use a PayPal account. I was just more comfortable paying with the existing credit card and on this page, at least, it was clear that that's what would be happening.

Hi Cynthia, I'll be making my donation soon. This forum has been my lifeline back to art and helped me keep my sanity. Well worth as much as I can afford.

Jean

Thanks, Jean!

Terri,

Yes, it was there. Note the following three images. The first image shows the first page where you would have selected recurring payment. The next image shows the next page where one selects "If you do not currently have a PayPal account." Then the third image shows the third page where credit card info can be entered. Probably, you were thrown by the large words ahead of it that said "Sign up for a PayPal account today." Below that, you can see where I've circled where you can simply enter a credit card. In order to do recurring billing, it does have to set you up in their database in order to charge for the next year.

I know you've already done yours, however, this is for anyone else who might be confused or in case you want to go on recurring next year.

Sorry for any confusion that my confusion may have caused!

I'll keep the recurring payment option in mind for next year. Thanks!

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Cynthia.

Cynthia,
You have already earned a free pass into heaven. Every contributing artist has earned it as well. I am eager to donate as much as I can and I am happy to do so.
Thank you so much for this forum.

Cynthia,

When I click to that page - the little boxes are x 'ed out. I tried clicking them anyway and the page that came up said it wasnt formatted properly?

I was able to get through and make a donation, but the boxes are still x'ed out. Also - the box on the forum main page that is suggesting donations is x'ed out as well.

Thanks, Kim! Ok, when you first said the little boxes are x'ed out, I really didn't know what you meant. Now it sounds like you're talking about the missing image icon, which has a red x in it. The images are there. Again, no one else has reported experiencing this problem, so I'm thinking it's something unique to your computer.

My computer's clean I tell you! Clean! ;)

I have added my donation to this wonderful forum.

Just a side note, I am always squeamish about automatic recurring payments coming out of my account, so I have set it up in my microsoft money program as a yearly payment to be made, much as I do with things such as property taxes. That way, the reminder is there when the time comes.

Thank you Cynthia for all the hard work you do to bring us this forum!

What a bargain!
 

I'm happy to sign up for a subscription. This forum is so much more valuable than the art magazines, they only come monthly and are not interactive. You have a wonderful site and I appreciate the dedication and work you have put into it, thanks!

Vianna Szabo

Thank you, everyone for your donations and for your appreciation of our hard work.

Donation for a great job, Cynthia!
 

Dear Cynthia and forum members -

I would like to thank Cynthia for all her hard work in monitoring and maintaining this inspiring and informative site. Cynthia goes to such lengths to make sure everyone derives the best advice and discussion, as well as encouragement and guidance from the generous professionals' toward artists-in-training. There is a special synergy created here by which each member can attain enhanced artistic results and the testing of new techniques encourages growth for all.

I am leaving a Paypal gift for you , Cynthia, in hopes that it will make your hard work a bit easier. and to encourage you to keep up the great work.

Warm regards -
Edgar Coleman

Our computer crash a while back wiped out our Paypal account. My husband still hasn't been able to recover it from the old hard drive, so my check is in the mail.. I wish it could be more.

Jean

Without SOG my life would be more painful---since last summer I have been victimized by a dangerous neighbor, my life was jeopardized by helping him naively.
Being a member of prestigious SOG I was benefited in many ways as you can imagine. Otherwise my situation could be much more worse. I even called Cynthia at her nap time, (found this out later) and got her several advices on one issue, --Dr Cynthia, a credit for you.

Because my suffering in China, I have difficulties but I have failed to do as hard as Cynthia to overcome and succeed. Cynthia and all of those great Americans, you are always my inspiration and example!
"Each step I catch up,
a new life began."

SB,

You should not judge yourself so harshly. Everyone takes hardships in different ways. And, you are a very special person - remembering my birthday, sending me litlte gifts from time to time. Never forget you have a beautiful spirit!

Thank you, Cynthia!
My parents always want me to show their appreciation as well. Those gifts to you are only sketches, and a Chinese calligraph I wrote, showing high level of my Chinese literature's cultivation. Your birthday is at the same month and day as Senator Thurmond's, who helped me once. Both of you share some strong endurance. He can keep debating for over 40 hours, you worked with unimaginable minimum rest. I remember him of doing 50 minutes strenuous exercise daily, I remember you of dealing hundreds of people routinely.

Also, please take care your health

Cynthia I just wanted to bump this up so new members and others who have had a chance to donate can be reminded to do so.

It is well worth whatever you can spare! :thumbsup:

A bargain at any price
 

Thank you, Elizabeth, for bumping this topic up. I'd be a fool not to support this site in any small way I can. It's a godsend. Thank you, Cynthia, for caring enough about artists and the development of portraiture to create SOG and this forum. And thank the members who give their valuable time and advice so freely and generously to help along us newbies. My donation is small but it is given with enormous gratitude.

As an "Old Timer"on this forum, I have recently submitted my annual donation. This is a little "Thank You" and meant as a show of gratitude for all that Cynthia has done. We have been offered such a nice platform for sharing ideas and to receive encouragements to excell in a field with fierce competition and high standards for accomplishment.

2008 donation
 

Cynthia,

Thank you again for all the work and commitment you've given to make this Forum available.

I'm pleased to send my 2008 donation!

I sent mine in a couple of days ago, also. This Forum really jump started my career!

I'm in.

Where else can I tap in so much verbiage and steal licks from other painters, drawers, and sculptors at the same time?