momodot said: I wonder what the impulse is for exhibiting art if it is not to make money or receive criticism. judging from the vast majority of comments here, it's to receive praise from friends, pretty much regardless of the quality of the material posted. while i appreciate that encouragement is important, i really do wish it were possible to get constructive criticism, but i suspect i'll have to work hard to cultivate connections to the few people who actually give such critiques, and i am not at all sure how to do that -- i don't really want to go around and beg people who don't know me from adam to look at my images. i wish there were a community specifically for critiques -- i am perfectly willing to do my share; i love discussing process. but this is really way off the thread topic. maybe i should start a new thread on it.