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As a graduate of a mere land grant agriculture and mechanics university -- if with the questionable atonement value of a subsequent degree from an expensive private law school and considerable studies thereafter in various parts of the world -- I too must be completely unqualified to sort out the vicious, pernicious, thoroughly distasteful personal attacks from the otherwise unhelpful, unconvincing, and -- as to this befuddled potential consumer -- commercially unsuccessful product claims. So I will continue to muddle along with my silly little bottles of "popular" quack oils and varnishes and my base pedigree, land-grant training, and doubtless weak character, and I'm sure The Empire will survive, even if my paintings may not. (That's fine -- the world is not sitting around waiting for my paintings and will not mourn their passing in time.)
Stroke of Genius' Portrait Artist Forum has been, with few lapses, one of the very "last best places" for honour, respect, and civility on the net, for generosity and professional but light-hearted interaction amongst people who love to draw and paint. Gunbelts and shoes and egos are checked at the door. The owner and administrator has worked tirelessly to cultivate this environment. It's a great sadness to me, as an active member with at least an emotional proprietary interest in the site, to have witnessed the importation of the nastiness and vitriol that have led so many of us to abandon other sites.
To the members who haven't been around here long enough to see these things come and go, be assured that the what you're witnessing in this thread is not characteristic of the quality of discourse and camaraderie for which SOG is well known. Don't be discouraged or put off by it. Indeed: consider well everything you "see" here -- including demeanor -- when making your own purchase and practice decisions.
To the long-time and highly esteemed members, notably Mssrs. Drenkow and Elliott, who have once again contributed informatively and civilly, thank you.
Steven
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