I do not support the guidelines, because as long as the image is a fractal at it's core, it's a fractal and should not be sent out to outer Siberia in the 'mixed media' gallery. Thanks.

aeires said: "That's a great link Tresamie. I left here not because of any rules that were/were not in place. I left because of the condescending, narrow minded, scathing comments of Peapodgrrl and others like her. Her "holier than thou, you're all flat earthers" comments were the last straw. I ran into one of the better known artists from here at Deviantart and came back for another look because of it. Seems like nothing has changed. Don't miss this place one bit. It's not the rules that are driving people away, it's the people that are. For all you that think rules are stifling your creativity, first, be grateful you have a free site that will take your artwork, and secondly, do a study of the history of art and how the masters had rules and restrictions on them, but they produced timeless pieces regardless because they were wise enough to rise above it. The only thing limited around here is the ability to rise above the "attitudes" that thrive in this place." And don't forget "dismissive." :) Oh, so you're in favor of those "rules and restrictions"? You want to go back to those days? Better toss the computer and stock up on eggs and minerals to mix up your tempra paints with. Come back up to the present day, where modern artists broke the rules -- and then, with Dadaism, tossed those rules forever. Cracks me up that you call names while bemoning how unfriendly the place has become.

I agree with saldegal. You put something like this in with a bunch of nature photos and they'll turn their noses up at it, not recognizing the skill and work that went into it, because most of them would have no clue. Ridiculous.

C'mon, Min, don't couch your opinon in flowery language, say it like you feel it. ;) To put it rather crudely, because I think it's just the best way to describe what I'm seeing here: I think some of you are going up your own assholes on this one. What was wrong with the gallery the way it was before? And what does someone's private, power trip of an FAQ section have to do with the Renderosity frac gallery? It's all just too ridiculous. :)

Woah, Steve! I haven't looked into the forum for a while so I decided to scroll down and there you are. I miss seeing your flames, and we seem to have lost your site from the (Fractal Artists'), ring, so I went looking for it and it's not to be found. :( I miss seeing your work. Anyway, I'm glad it's a good thing that's taking you away from us and not something bad. Do take care and the best to you in your new venture. :) Tina

Attached Link: The FAR

LOL!! Er, well, actually, there are a few pieces galleries have bought up that I'd love to be able to comment upon (ever hear of the acquisition of "Polar Bear in the Snow," which is basically a white canvas with a black dot on it -- the bear's nose , for $1,000,000?). Stupidity abounds wherever one goes, really. But yes, point taken. Shades of the movie Demolition Man... "now all art galleries are Renderosity." eek! I think it's all fine if one doesn't take it too seriously, but honestly, I know it can sometimes be hard not to at times. I was never one to want to be part of a snobbish clique even back in high school, so it's certainly no time to desire it now, that's for sure -- and that's what is irritating to me, it's like too many adults seem to never have outgrown that high school attitude. And I don't mean just here, but many online places and IRL. And honestly, when I talk about art and artists, I'm talking more an attitude than even ability, because so much of that is relative anyway. When one is an artist, one creates are because s/he must, not because there is a group of annonymous 'artists' somewhere out there with the ability to give praise, or take it away.

Terry, to be quite honest, I miss seeing your work. I do occasionally look at your site to see what's been added, but it's so much easier to look in a central location, like RO, to see what people have added to their galleries. And that, to me, is the main function of this place. Yes, it's wonderful to receive compliments on one's work; and by the same token, I like to be able to comment upon another's work. But when you look at some of the glowing remarks for some pieces, they seem so strained (and I mean in a manic, hyperbolic -- artificial way), that it's almost laughable, and THAT is what gets me sometimes. And I don't understand it. I would not WANT remarks on my work that were not sincere; and likewise, I do not comment upon anything that hasn't moved me in some way. If I want to just say "hi" to someone, I IM them (though I'm awful at correspondence, as anyone who has tried to do so with me can attest to, including yourself...). I, too, am in favor of doing away with the counts and the lists that foster the popularity contest atmosphere. They serve no purpose other than to create a false atmosphere. Someone, was it Keith?, used the word "sycophant," and I think it's appropriate in some cases. I believe it was Dryden who said: "A sycophant will everything admire: Each verse, each sentence, sets his soul on fire." Eh. In the end, I ask myself, "what does it matter?" After all, it's only Renderosity, it's not The Met, after all. So being number one here isn't exactly something to write home about, and it many times has nothing to do with actual art. Still, the process is divisive, and that's the problem.

Keith, you're preaching to the choir here. I agree totally with your post, and frankly, the reasons you've listed for your own departure have a lot to do with why I rarely stop in and look around here any more. You said: "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." You know, these words are familiar to me. They, more or less, were uttered to me by a friend who left this place a couple of months ago (had been phasing out before that, too). It's all a popularity contest and really has only somewhat to do with good art. Mostly it's just people who hang together telling each other how wonderful they are -- and sometimes I look at what is being praised the most and it's utter crap. Sometimes it's really beautiful. Too often, though, the really masterful, beautiful stuff gets ignored, or semi-ignored, in favor of crap a first-semester graphics student would turn out. So hey, if this is just a place for people to hang out and stroke each other, fine, if they really need that in order to feel like decent artists. But when you start tailoring your style and art towards what you think people will like -- especially in a venue like this, you (the general "you"), were finished before you ever started. And like you've pointed out, and Matt pointed out, it's all about the tits, man. Matter of fact, when I was told by a moderator about the new cover contest I told the moderator that I wasn't interested -- that, after all, the only people who win are Poser users. Ick. Happy trails, Keith, Linda, Matt, and those of you who have left for much greener pastures. :)

Linda, I'm so sorry you're leaving, but I understand sticking to your principles. The very best to you, always, Tina

Hi MagicHawk, and welcome to you and your lovely fractals. :)

Thanks, ladynimue, it's at least a move in the right direction. :)

What is the AOM?

.. or after seeing some great galleries here with only 2 comments realize - everyone else is just speechless!! :) This could be so, Dobblecheese, but in many ways this place is also a sort of popularity contest, and if you are not popular, many times your work doesn't receive comments. There are more than a few people who have left this place because of a perceived cliquish feel here. Some people will only remark on the works of certain people, even if those works are entirely unremarkable, while other -- far better -- works go unremarked just because they aren't by popular posters. Anyway, I think all of those things and more feed into that. I've got to tell you that your rendering of the snare drum is marvelous -- particularly the chrome bits. I started playing around with 3D Studio and then Studio Max, but I discovered that I hate vertices and kept to fractals and digital art. :)

Hey, you never know -- she could actually be using the pen name of Lisa Himmell, or whatever it is. :)