Birthday present

[Rob Sullivan]

Okay, the re-opening of the Forum has nothing to do with my birthday, even though the dates have coincided... But, it reminds me - and should remind us all - that the very existence of this Forum is a gift to us as artists. It is a gift to all who uphold true craft and skill in the arts, whatever your aesthetic may be. Let us not take it for granted.

I have learned a great deal here. And I am not just referring to technical things, nor insightful forays into art history with regard to the portrait. Those things are here for all to see, and are thankfully archived like a wonderful encyclopedia of portraiture and painting. What I hadn't counted on learning about was pride, ego and disaffection. This is an arguable point, but recent disagreements have had little to do with learning and teaching, therefore - nothing could be gained by them, save the forming of factions and cliques.

In this day and age where kindness and comportment are no longer rewarded (as hostility has become sport and prime-time entertainment), it still does not give us the "right" to conduct ourselves according to vox populi. If we are to truly uphold the ideals of craft and skill in the arts, then we are no less obliged to put forth these things in a manner befitting their importance. By that, I mean professionally, if not humbly; with the intent to teach, and not lord it over others with less skill or knowledge.

My thanks to Cynthia and the Moderators for their time and efforts. Again, I speak for many in my sincere appreciation of your gifts.

[Cynthia Daniel]

Very well said, Rob. I sincerely appreciate your post!

[Allan Rahbek]

Originally Posted by Rob Sullivan

My thanks to Cynthia and the Moderators for their time and efforts. Again, I speak for many in my sincere appreciation of your gifts.

I totally agree, thank you.

Allan

[Tom Edgerton]

I have to agree with Rob. I think it

[Cynthia Leininger]

I am so very grateful to have the forum doors opened again.

Cynthia, I would guess that this sort of thing will happen again. Although I certainly hope it doesn't. Will you consider just closing the topic or temporarily banning the offending party(s) rather than shutting down completely? It must be very frustrating for those of you who donate your time to have to deal with unpleasant issues.

I love this forum and the insight it provides. I am very grateful for the work that goes into maintaining it.

I was a little shocked to see the meager list of members who have donated thus far. My donation was very, very small but I was convinced that many others would contribute and together we would provide the funds that were needed to keep this forum alive.

[Cynthia Daniel]

Thank you, everyone for your input and expressions of appreciation. There were 4 or 5 more donations between the time the doors closed and now.

Cynthia, as Tom said, after the twentieth time it just gets to be too much. Normally I would not have shut things down completely, but I needed a break from this and time to sort through things. It's unlikely I will completely shut it down again unless there's maintenance going on, or as happened a couple of times, a hacker.

[Chris Saper]

I can attest, firsthand, to the professionalism and import that Cynthia places upon portraiture in general, and specifically, upon her own business, including this Forum. I also know how very stressful it is for her to have to get side-tracked in order to put out fires.

Rob, how very gracious of you to have started this thread (hey! Happy Birthday!) . Despite the difficulties of the past days, in many ways I think the events have resulted in a clearer understanding about the role of this particular Forum, and the setting of good policy to advance that role.

Tom, like you, I have valued my participation here tremendously, both in what I have learned, and in the people I feel that I have come to know as friends, whether or not I have actually met them face-to-face.

Thanks, Cynthia.