Marvin's comments

I just posted a reply called "Enzie's comments," and also wanted to add something to Marvin's comments.

I agree with him that something seems to be "broke": frankly, I believe that the forum needs some more engaging and engaged moderators (at least for some of the threads), just like if this were a business, one would be looking for new, more engaged managers. There used to be high brow artisits on the forum; now it seems only Whitaker and Mattelson are left.

Why not stimulate the participation of other established artsits, for example, by offering them a guest column or something similar? Focus on technique, I would add, and the participating members will come flocking to the forum.

Sybilla

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I just posted a reply called "Enzie's comments," and also wanted to add something to Marvin's comments.

I agree with him that something seems to be "broke": frankly, I believe that the forum needs some more engaging and engaged moderators (at least for some of the threads), just like if this were a business, one would be looking for new, more engaged managers. There used to be high brow artists on the forum; now it seems only Whitaker and Mattelson are left.

Why not stimulate the participation of other established artists, for example, by offering them a guest column or something similar? Focus on technique, I would add, and the participating members will come flocking to the forum.

Sybilla

Dear Cynthia,
I wonder if participation would improve if you would publish a book of some kind with excerpts from these forums?

Truly, after I joined, I became so busy for the past 6 years + that I haven't had time to come here and to join in. I sure hope that you keep it going though. It's a wonderful place to learn from and to view.

I surely hope that you are going to keep it open....however, I'd be willing to pay also to help keep it going.

I have the same problem on CT&A....my own forum. Many read....few reply. Most say that they are too busy to post.

I understand that for sure.

Kindest regards and success to this forum,
Celeste

[Cynthia Daniel]

The job of the moderators is to keep tabs on the flow of the discussions and make sure they are staying on topic, that posts are in the proper section and maintain civility and to periodically help members with posting issues. It is not really part of their defined job to be engaging, teachers or critiquers. If they choose to be so, that is through their own choice.

Regarding guest columnists, so far, it has not worked out. I have invited several high-profile artists in the past to give demonstrations and I got some agreement to do so. However, after numerous attempts to get if off the ground, it never went anywhere.

Frankly, any downturn of the Forum seems to coincide with two things:

1. Putting passwords on the critiques sections (now removed)
2. Blowups caused by those who did not follow the rules of civility