Meh, I tend to agree with almost everyone here, in one way or another.  There is always going to be a valid point or reason why or why not the gallery is the way it is.  For me, I see both sides, as stated.  Human nature is finicky.  One one hand we have the door holders that do it because it's in there nature, expect nothing in return, and will do it again.  Then we have the ones who hold the door expecting a thank you and might NOT hold a door the next time they have that chance after being 'put off' from the last time.  It's just the way we are.

The 'hug club' as it seems to be refered to, are as stated previously, more of a 'social' type group.  Naturally they will get more of the responses and hit the front page.  That's just how it goes.  The problem, is when an individual will actually confront you (you're not in the hug club) and blame you or ask if YOU were the one that gave them a 'low' rating etc. as it might hurt their chances of getting on the front page (even if it wasn't actually you).  Then start PM'ing people such and such 'did this', or is a warez freek, etc.  THAT, to ME, is when it has gone way beyond acceptable, and hit's back to people purposely intigrating themselves IN a 'hug club' just to stroke their own ego for whatever reason and not really being a friendly hobbiest/social artist.

I myself don't expect a lot of vocal followers, but the ones I do get I cherish.  I do mainly Pin-up styles or sometimes just plain odd stuff, so I expect my art is just more of the 'same stuff' already in abundance out there.  So when a few people decide to leave a comment, I take it as I might have done something to make it stand out.

I don't know.  I'm not very vocal myself, and find it hard to articulate on someones image what I feel in my feeble brain.  So a lot of times I just don't say anything.  Good or bad.  Especially don't leave many critiques, as I am hardly qualified to do so.

 

-Jeremy