What an interesting thread. I am really glad I made that comment to Lisa's image now, because if I hadn't we wouldn't be having this wonderful conversation. Never before have I been moved to read this forum more than once in a blue moon. Thanks to everyone who threw their hats into the ring. I love getting to know the wonderful people behind the beautiful art I look at every day. :)

Dark Elegance, I just wanted to publicly thank you for the lovely comments you made about my work. You really made me feel good, I am very appreciative of what you wrote. Thanks so very much. :)

I don't think it's a question of whether or not nudity belongs in fractals. If you want to combine nudity with fractal art, rock on. I think that, in the world of art, anything goes. Yes, even Lisa's brand of expression. Certainly some purists have accused me of not being a "real" fractalist because I change most of my fractals so dramatically after rendering them. We all have different visions and different tools, and it doesn't matter what they are.

However, like Tina, I, too, am tired of these badly rendered plastic-looking Poser women, all out of a Stepford nightmare, churned out by the thousands, contributing to real women feeling lousy about themselves and their own bodies. I also tire of sexualizing and cheapening religion and the Christ figure in art; having been born and raised in New York City this is hardly something I've never seen before, it's really a clich There are people who have done it a lot better.

Like someone else said, it was Lisa's petulant reaction and "I dare you" tantrums that created the negative feelings in this community...way more than her art ever could or would.

To change the topic, I would love it if all of you stopped by my discussion board...we have some dedicated fractalists over there, and we're having some fun challenges and round robins. You can post your work, too by linking to it online. No ratings, no hit counting, no competing, just a lot of fun and fractals and talk.

Also, I don't know if all of you know this, but Tina and I run the Fractal Artists' Ring, a web ring of 116 websites (and growing) dedicated to the art of fractals, and we also have contests, screensaver projects and a lot of fun. Here are the URLS to both places, and I would be honored if you guys stopped by/joined up.

Discussion Board: http://www.peapoddesign.net/cgi-bin/boards/main/main.pl

Fractal Artists' Ring:
http://www.tcdesign.net/fractalpp_webring.htm

You're a very special group of people and I am privileged to know you all. :)

Mindy (Peapodgrrl)