hmmm. Deagol was supposed to be deactivated today so I am surprised that I can see this and I'll even be more surprised if this post posts... The best fractal artists are still here. To find them just look in the most or best galleries. I don't know if you considered me one of those top fractal artists, but I am definitely gone. Did I get pushed out? Absolutely not. It's more like I felt like I was being sucked in, deeper and deeper, and I got tired of feeling that way. The other reason for leaving is that I objected to the link that appeared in my gallery to the most viewed gallery. Hey, if this place is good for you, stay with it. It did wonders for me in terms of building my confidence and challenging me to improve, and there is some wonderful, inspirational art here. Above all, great friendships can be made. Just make sure that you build images for your own satisfaction. Watch out for the sycophants (look it up, I had to) and don't become one yourself. Don't let the flattery go to your head. Keep your life in balance (grasshopper). If you can do these things, you will do better than I did. And then there is the departure of Matt. I have to admit, I got a kick out of that when I heard about it. I respect his decision. I think it took guts to do that. On the other hand, it is unfair to the other nominees. There's no chance of a fractal artist making Artist of the Year, so there is no loss there. That will always go to the Poser gallery. The fractal community will always stand in the shadow of the large breasts in the most viewed gallery. Those babies pay the bills on this site.