Visitors' poll

[Lori Kiergaard]

I have been one of those members who went through the process, received approval and then never posted, stopping by every week or so to read. (even though my profile says I joined yesterday - it was actually a few years ago)

These forums are amazing- and Art will only get better because of them. I spend most of my time on Cennini Forum, but like to read and support a few sites.

This forum is a valuable resource for portrait painters, and I wish it a long life.

Hi: I posted this query several weeks ago but never got a reply. Am still curious to know the answer. Thanks again!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello All:

I've been visiting the website for over a year now, and would love to participate eventually. But I wonder if this site allows people to register under a pseudonym or "nom de plume" (would that be "nom de pinceau" for painters?).

I'm not a full-time painter but a hobbyist, yet for professional and just general privacy reasons I'm not keen on participating under my real name. I admire everyone here who does, yet I'm sure there are other visitors who like me have qualms about putting their identity on the WWW. Perhaps for professional artists, especially those seeking additional commissions, this might not be an issue. Just wondering...

I'm registered here but I can't really post as this entire site is on google and people I work with/for google everything and everyone.

[Cynthia Daniel]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

You refused me for being non-traditional in aesthetic approach, despite the fact I use traditional materials.

The focus of the main site and the Forum is traditional, so that would be correct.

[Cynthia Daniel]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi: I posted this query several weeks ago but never got a reply. Am still curious to know the answer. Thanks again!

I've been visiting the website for over a year now, and would love to participate eventually. But I wonder if this site allows people to register under a pseudonym or "nom de plume" (would that be "nom de pinceau" for painters?).

I'm not a full-time painter but a hobbyist, yet for professional and just general privacy reasons I'm not keen on participating under my real name. I admire everyone here who does, yet I'm sure there are other visitors who like me have qualms about putting their identity on the WWW. Perhaps for professional artists, especially those seeking additional commissions, this might not be an issue. Just wondering...

Sorry, I missed it. The policy is for each artist to use their real name. Often on Forums, people hide behind a "handle" and we simply prefer things out in the open. Also, many artists here are quite known in the field and it can be to their benefit to use their real name.

[Cynthia Daniel]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I'm registered here but I can't really post as this entire site is on google and people I work with/for google everything and everyone.

I understand. But, we don't want to make the Forum password protected because we'd seldom get new members.

I can not post anything because I tried to register but was turned down. I was told that I could browse the forum but would not be able to post anything.


www.indiaburns.com

I am a lapsed artist who has not had much time, due to work and family constraints (chronically ill child), to paint. In my younger days, was a serious art student who put a lot of time into drawing but never was able to finish a painting to my satisfaction. Drawn from live model for quite a few years, but suffered "painters block" when it came to painting. A lot of good starts, though! Thank you for your wonderful site! I do lurk and consider many of the artists on this site talented and generous teachers. I have learned much from this site... some of the member's websites are mini painting courses on line, i.e. Tony Ryder, Marvin Mattelson, Beth Schott and many others. Thank you. Until I have I have time and energy to continue painting, your site has kept my spirits up.

This web site is confusing and not visually centered. It seems like it was designed by a mechanical engineer and not anyone involved in the visual arts. May I suggest that you research other more friendly web sites.

Also, the concept that this is a web site for "professional" portrait painters is misleading. What does professional mean? If it truly means someone to earns a true living through professional portrait painting, you definitely don't need a website. All three hundred professional portrait painters, if that many, could correspond by email.

May I suggest that you open up your website to portrait painters - in general and not just "professionals" and do away with the idea of having a jury select members. Come on, that is a bit haughty. Further, submitting art work to a juror is demeaning. I have entered art shows and received awards for paintings that did not make it in other art shows. Judging art is not objective even though art teachers and art jurors like to think it is. It is an individual's subjective cogent based upon so many factors that no two people can agree. And thank goodness. That is what art is all about an individual experience. Of course there is trashy art, but even that requires a second or third look, as hard as it may be to do.

Thanks for allowing a forum for gathering information about yourselves.

I guess they may be thousands of artists out there who would not be allowed membership or if they are, what difference does it mean to have a juried entrance requirement.

Since your goal is to be a commercial success (or why the ads?), I think you need to redefine your membership requirements.

Thanks for asking for opinions as to why your membership does not increase.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

This web site is confusing and not visually centered. It seems like it was designed by a mechanical engineer and not anyone involved in the visual arts. May I suggest that you research other more friendly web sites.

Also, the concept that this is a web site for "professional" portrait painters is misleading. What does professional mean? If it truly means someone to earns a true living through professional portrait painting, you definitely don't need a website. All three hundred professional portrait painters, if that many, could correspond by email.

May I suggest that you open up your website to portrait painters - in general and not just "professionals" and do away with the idea of having a jury select members. Come on, that is a bit haughty. Further, submitting art work to a juror is demeaning. I have entered art shows and received awards for paintings that did not make it in other art shows. Judging art is not objective even though art teachers and art jurors like to think it is. It is an individual's subjective cogent based upon so many factors that no two people can agree. And thank goodness. That is what art is all about an individual experience. Of course there is trashy art, but even that requires a second or third look, as hard as it may be to do.

Thanks for allowing a forum for gathering information about yourselves.

I guess they may be thousands of artists out there who would not be allowed membership or if they are, what difference does it mean to have a juried entrance requirement.

Since your goal is to be a commercial success (or why the ads?), I think you need to redefine your membership requirements.

Thanks for asking for opinions as to why your membership does not increase.

I'm also unregistered but like the fact that this portrait forum has a juried selection process. As a result, the contributions of members are very focused and most of the time informative. There is a website out there, Wet Canvas, that might be of interest to you. As far as I know, that website does not have a special selection process, but as a result contributions are less interesting to me (=a portrait painter seeking to learn from professionals and semi-professionals).