"Opinions about artistic merit are like asshles, everybody has got one. It is all subjective."* LMAO!!! Nice one, PC. :o) But seriously though, critiques and commentaries do go a long way in developing an artist's craft. Sure, there is a lot of friendly banter and even empty flattery that goes on in here. You'd be foolish to think that this isn't the case in the "real world" as well. In my humble opinion, there are many, many, many artists here who are very serious about their work. And most of them can distinguish between a passing compliment and a serious dissection of their endeavors. Whichever the case may be you will find that, most of the time, positive encouragement leaves a better after taste than negative reinforcement. But then again, there are amateurs and rank hobbyists like myself, who simply derive an enjoyment from creating something and then sharing it with the community at large. I'm notorious for posting nothing but WIP images in my gallery, but I try to learn from the feedback I get. Some comments are from long time friends, who are just dropping by and saying hello... other comments from people I have never had the pleasure of befriending yet... also dropping in just to say hello. :o) Nothing wrong with that, right? Every once in a while though, I will get a comment that really makes me stop and take another look at what it is I think I am doing. My point is that artistic expression, and ultimately it's enjoyment, is a personal experience for me. The imposition of my taste in art (or the profound lack of it) on others wouldn't be good form. And I would hate to think that my own (malformed) appreciation of what I enjoy had to be coordinated, moderated, or administered by someone else. :o) Cheers! M

Mind Over Matter
"If you don't mind, then it don't matter."