[Kimberly Dow]

Cynthia,

I have not painted a portrait since maybe early December, but I still log on at least every other day to see what's cooking and get inspired. I paint more landscapes and still lifes than I do portraits, so I wish there was a site as full of quality or as easy to read as this one dealing with those subjects - BUT a lot of what I have learned here applies to those as well.

I would pay a fee. I'd prefer a one-time fee and I'd prefer it to be small. That is not to say it isn't worth more becasue it is. I'd most-likely pay it if it were larger. I am afraid it would change the dynamics though. I'd be more likely to whine if I were paying and no one responded to something. When we pay we feel like customers - when we are participating it is all appreciated.

The information here has been invaluable to me. It was a shock to find out what bad photos I was painting from. I worked only on my own talent and intuition and this place has been wonderful.

I have learned much - where else could I communicate with such well-known artists. I recall when I first was on telling my husband, "Hey - I have her book and she just critiqued my work."

This is not the only forum I go to - but for now it is the only one I would pay for.

I do wish we had more big-names here - with more range of styles. Certianly still in the realistic venue, but just more variety. I know there isn't anyway to control that.

I have one suggestion - what about all the workshops that are advertised? This forum is used a lot to promote those. What about a small fee (perhaps not required, but by trust) from the students the bigger names get from this place?