[Kimberly Dow]

Michele & Allen -

When I first heard this - I was in complete agreement with you. I was very hot under the collar to defend myself. But, the point that made me really chew on this last night was that it doesn't matter in a competition how I know it's my work, it is how the judges view it. I agree that artists talk all the time and a personal email about a painting wouldn't be out of bounds, but these forums are public. Right now all competition forms state that the work entered cannot be done under supervision or in a workshop. I suspect that if these forums keep multiplying they may eventually include a statement prohibiting this as well for entries.

There are extremes for every example - and taking this to an extreme - say a poster here painted a portrait and got loads of help from everyone. Really brought the painting to a finish he/she could not have done otherwise and maybe couldn't again on his/her own. Then this painting went on to win a major competition. Wouldn't that cause some questions to arise?