Membership fees for Forum access

[Tom Edgerton]

It's hard to sift through this, because I have a website with Cynthia, and get access for free. I think this is appropriate, as a side benefit for investing in her site. So it's hard to put myself in a reader's place.

But a few thoughts:

1) If I had to pay, I'd rather pay a nominal one-time subscription fee up front. Pay once and be done.

2) Cynthia, if you take advertising, keep it classy. One of the reasons I'm here is the professional look of the site.

3) I don't think my attitude about paying to read would be influenced by finding out that Cynthia was making an enormous profit on the Forum alone, but my participation in it might. This involves an element of trust, which I'm willing to do. But there is a break point between covering the costs of maintaining the forum and raw profit, beyond which--to Marvin's point--the heavy contributors, or at least the moderators, should share in any excess. Just so you'll know where I'm coming from, I don

[Patricia Joyce]

Hi Cynthia,
I like Linda's idea about the advertising on the left. I am hungry for materials and books and videos all the time.

I am an avid fan of this site and am eternally grateful to you for creating this place for me to come and gain knowledge, insight, and education from artists I respect and feel honored to interact with here.

I would pay a membership fee, gladly. I have voted and encourage everyone who has participated in this thread, or read this thread, to vote also, if you haven't.

Amazing to see the THOUSANDS of people who have read this in two short days. Cynthia, you should charge fees if they are necessary, and I can't believe that they aren't. What you have presented here is attractive, well organized, and as classy as the fine artists you represent on SOG. God bless you, Cynthia.

[Denise Racine]

Maybe it would be a good idea to give the members a clear message as to what is expected from them.

I was fairly active till I received an email from Cynthia asking members to refrain from commenting if they didn't have enough experience...That might not be the exact wording but that's how I remember it.

Although I have been painting for approx. 30 years and have been teaching for about 12 years, I began to hesitate before posting critiques or any of my paintings. I thought the object of the request was to limit input and therefore reduce costs. And I did not want to add to the bill, therefore, I held back.

I am glad to see that I misunderstood the message and that our input is welcome. I love to get feedback but, I think that in all fairness, one has to be prepared to give a little to get a little. I stopped giving advice and I stopped asking for advice...but I really missed the exchanges.

I would be willing to pay a 20$ annual fee to help cover time & expenses. Nothing is for free...would you work for nothing?

[Mary Reilly]

First let me apologize that I am one of the guilty ones that shows up quite often as a guest - for whatever reason I just don't always log on. So having said that, I will try to be more faithful in logging on so that the numbers are more accurate between member usage verses guest usage.

There seem to be lots of both pros and cons for charging fees, and most have already been mentioned throughout this thread so I'll spare you the repetition. Having said that, I now want to go on record as saying that I feel this forum is invaluable for the portrait artist and it is definitely worth fees that might be charged.

Thanks, Cynthia and moderators for an excellent "meeting place" for artists that love to paint portraits.

Mary

[Karin Wells]

For the record, I'd be happy to pay any fees that you ask in order to have access to this wonderful Forum.

Needless to say, I have learned a LOT from this Forum. Although I make my living as an artist, I do not consider my involvement here as a means to generate money and I do not wish to wave any fees for my participation here. I am deligted to have this unique opportunity to teach and share whatever specialized knowlege I have been fortunate enough to learn.

As to ads, I would not like to see any ads "on the left" unless Cynthia benefited directly -and in cash - in order to defray her costs.

If you wish to see some amazing resources for artists, visit the following sites compiled by Cynthia:

http://portraitartist.com/resources/index.html

http://portraitartist.com/events.htm

http://portraitartist.com/bookstore/index.html

Perhaps we should mention these helpful sites for artists much more often. Be sure to bookmark them and try to order through her bookstore (it doesn't cost us extra).

[John Zeissig]

Cynthia,

When I first saw this thread on Sunday, I clicked on the $30 category in the poll. At the time there were hardly any responses, so I picked an amount that is half of what local artists organizations charge for annual membership (and for which they deliver a lot less value than this forum).

My only misgiving about instituting a fee for membership is that, inevitably, it will mean that some members will discontinue their memberships. I've grown very fond of all of the members, and look forward to seeing their posts, especially of their work. There's not a single person on this forum that I don't think of as a friend, even if that sentiment is not always reciprocated.

As far as the way in which you've conducted the forum is concerned, I think it's excellent as it stands. If a fee is necessary to continue your good work, then you and the moderators, etc., are entitled to be compensated. Money is one form of compensation, but for your overall effort only one response is adequate: SUSTAINED APPLAUSE!!

John

[Sandy Barnes]

I have long been of the opinion that portraiture is the highest of the fine art forms. I believe a portrait artist is absolutely unlimited in what he or she can paint. Further, only a relative few people have enough talent to do it well; fewer yet have the drive it takes. Still, there are many of us who want to do portraiture, until we discover how brutally difficult it is. That accounts for many of the people who sign up, but don't participate. With the best of intentions, they think, I'll post something for critique when I get good enough. Of course, most of the time, this never happens.

Thank you Will. A great many of us struggle with the fine art of portraiture. Thankfully, I have been grandfathered in as I have not yet been asked to submit work for approval. I recall Cynthia mentioning that the site would soon be juried when we met at Peggy's workshop in Sarasota last spring. To date I have not yet produced a portrait worthy of display. My time to practice is limited, in the meantime I am painting pictures that will pay the bills. I have been inactive in the forum for the past year for various reasons, but it has provided a wealth of information that I could not have gleaned from any book, magazine or video. Had it not been for the forum I would not have had the opportunity to take Peggy's workshop. She is a wonderful teacher and although I am not whipping out portraits as planned she made me a better painter . In the portrait world I would consider myself a "dabbler" at this point, and after hearing that the site would become juried all hopes of posting my work were dashed.

I am willing to pay a small annual fee for the privelige of reading the forum. It will be some time before I could post anything for critique at which time a "upgrade" of my membership may be in order.

[Patt Legg]

Well after a long deliberation over the matter at hand I have come to the following conclusion :

Let me say first of all Cynthia, I feel you are doing a great job and frankly I have not found a site quiet as upscale,informative and just plain wonderful as the site you have here.

Nevertheless at times I felt judged not only by my art but grammer.I realise that you mean well and being the way you are has certainly raised the bar on who participates on this Forum -for that I fully understand.

I am on the Forum as much as I feel that I can be and I won't bore anyone out there with my reasoning for my absence other than to say that due to many circumstances for one reason or another I have fallen short more often recently. I find in my life that it has to do with how much is going on in my life. Obviously, I feel that it is very full and find the time to read here occasionally is a treat much less to be able to submit photos, etc. I am with many of the others when they say how much help this has been to them. I met Marvin in his class along with many other wonderful artists, Tom , you too plus many others. For that I am so grateful.The suggestions and critiques are fantastic information to have. I thank all of you moderators, members and THE BEST OF THE BEST artists for sharing your knowledge.

In conclusion and it was difficult to conclude as I could go on an on but thought I would spare you all---I personally do not feel that I am on here enough recently to vote or really voice my opinion so Cynthia I say do what you feel you must and one day as I check in to see what everyone is up to here at the Cafe'---I will find out the answer to your question pertaining to fees. If at that time you are indeed attaching a fee then I will decide if I feel I wish to be here, if so I will pay the fee, if not---then I may find my "eviction notice" tacked beside my what used to be photo on the left.

Until then I feel honored to be part of this site. If it hadn't been for this site, I would never have known of the 9-11 Memorial Portrait invitation and met wonderful people from New York and their families and that is still an ongoing friendship with them and others who knew them. For that I am forever grateful.

I shall now bid you adieu and good luck in your decision.

Patt

[Carolyn Ortiz]

First of all, I'd like to say I never log in to read posts, which I do quiet often. So I am sure I am messing up your calculations.

I voted for paying around $25 a year, like a magazine subscription. But a one time membership fee may be a nicer idea, if not too expensive, or an option to either.

My writing skills are not the best and I have received a few emails suggesting to watch my spelling. I guess that is one of the reasons I don

[Cynthia Daniel]

Carolyn,

A few members who don't log in to read is not particuarly significant. However, this thread has been viewed 3,000 times in about 3 days. We only have 420 members.