Visitors' poll

[Mischa Milosevic]

To be honest, I have not had time to go through all the posts in this thread but do think a word or two, on my part, would not hurt. Actually, I hope that by sharing my though, in regard to the forum, I may benefit someone.

I try to be a person of but a few words. Still I try to convey my thoughts the best I can with the limited palette of words. It has been my personal observation that most on this forum have had their moments of ups and downs. These could be moments of personal struggle or an encounter of verbal misunderstanding. What ever the case it is a part of life that nudges each one of us.

I have also observed, the short time that I have been here, that individuals join to receive and many have also to give. What ever the case in question it is good to hear and it is obvious to see that the forum has contributed as well as benefited. As in any situation there is always room for correction and improvement and in my humble opinion I see Cynthia doing her best to grow in this respect. This section or thread the Visitir's poll is a small indication of that. Sure each has a personal agenda why they do something but the generosity should always prevail.

I personally appreciate all that the generosity I have received on this forum and find that the more I give the more I receive.

Thank you to my new friends and my not so friends. My sincere best to all and what ever your path may you find what you are looking for

I don't think the opinion that the site's too "haughty" or "snobby" is a good enough reason to take all comers. I agree with a previous poster's ideas that presently registered people need to be encouraged to post in order to attain the critical mass of relevant and frequent posts.... but there are gobs of posts at WC, with its egalitarian registration process, and the place is a landfill. Sure, there's the occasional treasure, but you won't catch me digging through it to find it. I might get typhus.

This site could use more posts, but the posts that are here are beautiful and well-thought out.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

If you want more people to participate, you have to allow them to participate. There is alot of middle ground between the current state and anarchy. You could have threads that are open to discussion without any rigorous approval. If the language gets to saucy, let the moderators delete the post.

I parrot what the poster says above. I would post here if I could register with anonymous information. I have had nothing but headaches when I used information disclosing my true identity. Thank you for allowing me to comment here.

I have to agree with "Unregistered" ;-)

Seriously, I look here because there is the occasional nugget of good info for the serious representational artist, which is what I consider myself. However, I am not nor will I ever be a portrait painter, so although I'd have no qualms about joining, I don't have any portrait examples to show for an entry.

Jeff Gola

Dear Cynthia,

I think this forum is amazing and I am always amazed by the standard of the participators, as well as their helpfulness and generosity.

A single mother of two smaller children I never seem to get around to finish my paintings. I am since appr 5yrs a regular visitor - albeit not frequent...

Hope to join some day - in the meantime I admire and learn.
from Sweden

Hello,
I've just recently stumbled upon your wonderful forum. I have not registered because I don't feel my work would qualify. I don't mean to be rude, but I find it odd that you must have your work judged to register for this forum, something I've never seen before. Don't get me wrong, I understand the reasoning behind it but I feel it would make more sense to have forums that everyone can enjoy without having to "audition" while still keeping some forums blocked off(many forums do this). I feel it hurts the student who doesn't have finished works yet or who isn't up to par, the very people who need the most help.
Best regards,
The Lurker

Hi Cynthia
I am a reject that continues to lurk from time to time. I submitted two of my portraits about 12 months ago and was quite surprised to be rejected. The advice that was given to me from the judges was that I should work on my drawing skills and my understanding of tonal value. I always thought that I was reasonably competent in these areas, at least on par with the majority of registered members.
I am a professional portraitist, albeit not yet full time, I am working on building my client base with the intention of going full time in the near future. I still peek in the window now and then to see whats happening and to research anything I particularly want to know about. I even purchased Chris Saper's excellent book through this site.
I am now a member of several other forums and regularly submit comments and critque for the many members there.
It would have been nice to be part of SOG, but 'c'est la vie'
Bruce Johnson
www.brucejohnsonart.blogspot.com/

What a shame, Bruce. Could it have been the works you submitted? I've seen a LOT worse from several of the members here.

I can't remember which portraits I submitted, but they would have come from my blog..
www.brucejohnsonart.blogspot.com/

[Mary Jane Ansell]

Hello Bruce - I just had a quick look and personally thought your work was very strong, there's a lovely light on those pieces...

All the best
Mary Jane