Sorry I have to dissagree. I really think the art should do all the talking. As you said it's for ARTist of the year not showman of the year,Hey you would win that one hands donw.From what I read you weren't the only one to solicite votes. I just think it's poor form to caimpaign in an art contest even if it isn't in black and white. If all these people were interested in voting they would do it they don't need a friendly reminder. Even a gentile reminder to vote has subtle presures to vote for the sender of such reminder. I don't promote my art and it's enjoyed around the world.I don't even have a web site anymore. A picture says a thousand words. I even make a few bucks on it :) I always thought it was the art I enjoyed not the personality of the artist. It really should all be in the art for all to see. Your personality shines thru in your work just as you catch glimpses of my in my work,lol if you even look at it. To much self promotion takes from the art as it distacts from the art. Heck look at what happened here for a good example. You can't tell me that if you wern't leading the contest and somebody got all thier friends to vote for them and you lost you wouldn't be a tad miffed. If everybody did that what kind of contest do we have. An artist contest or a political contest. I know your smart enough to figure out that the person with the most friends wins...Now where exactly dose art fit in. Lets have some fair play and let the art do the talking. I was nominated this year for aom. I contacted no one accept the admin that sent the email thanking them. I came in the middle of the pack. Could I have done better by soliciting votes.... maybe. Would it have made my art better than the winners....no. Would I have felt better getting those few extra votes...no. So many people like othe peoples work better and they won...as it should be I have nothing against you or your art. I just don't think what you did was in the spirt of the contest or was right.