[Margaret Port]

As I live in Australia, and in a fairly small town, as well, my access to quality representative artists is fairly low. The two that I know are very jealous of their knowledge and absolutely will not teach (or share).

Until I found this forum 2 years ago, I felt I was living in a vacuum, unable to improve, and not satisfied with what I was able to achieve. When I joined, I felt that I had found people that I had something in common with. I do think it was more interesting to visit before people were vetted. I must admit, I have been reading and not posting (although I do log in when I read).

It is the only forum I visit, I check in every day. I would like to see more postings, and more activity.

As a result of the confidence I have gained from visiting, reading and putting advice into practice, I am now working on a major exhibition and several commissions.

Even though my daughter's application was rejected just this week, I hope the forum stays, so she can reapply in the future. I think that the forum is probably more use to artists who are still learning their trade, than to the full time professionals.

I did vist WetCanvas once, and got blasted by some sick, jokey thing that someone posted. I logged off, disgusted.

I can understand your dilemna, Cynthea. Your time is very valuable and access to this forum for artists all over the world is invaluable.

Ii'm not sure that charging a fee would work, although I would be prepared to pay a small annual subscription. Maybe a 30 day trial might work. You have to be able to get people to visit regularly before they will see the advantages of subscribing. Perhaps you could offer limited access to the Forum to non subscribers. Maybe there could be areas they couldn't view. The knowledge that there is more info available than they can currently view might make them appreciate the opportunity to subscribe.

I appreciate the look, the layout, the "no pop ups". I think some people get a bit full of themselves sometimes but that is true of any group. I enjoy the heavy discussions, even if I can't figure out what they are on about sometimes.

regards, Margaret Port