TL; I’m not on forums since I have a studio table where people share food, ideas, photographs..

A reason to gather.

Most do to regain something they never had. And, or, to exchange something. Sometimes that something is knowledge; usually, it is just remainders.

Reason is growth; an increased ability or awareness. Career insights. What shows are available, worthwhile seeing – in short, all the followups from an educated artist. At best, the place is adaptable, accommodating to a range of levels. 

who is on?

Mostly the photo fora are manned by the unknown offering advice and counsel to the not-knowing – the early learner being taught by the retired dropout.

The Actual

I have been on and answered questions – the response was mixed. What saved their portfolio effort they appreciated. What suggested an alternate way, they questioned; questioned to the point of rejection of me, doubting my credentials. Seemed strange that I could solve a problem that no one on two different forums could solve, but the alternate mode of working was devils work. Worse, the advice I offered on registration was given to someone just beginning their gum printing.

Would it matter that I’ve an MFA; learned printmaking from Richard Graf, Kathan Brown. Was Linda Connor’s first TA. Classmate of Mandel, Sultan … Taught art, including dye transfer — making collotype plates from the matrix film — making mats out of Tri-X and other films. If it did, how would anyone learn this stuff on a rolling stream of bits? Nope, they doubt because they know themselves, as well as knowing, accepting the obvious bullshit of their online colleagues. They share the lie of online fantasy life — complicit, like children stealing beer at a crowded stadium.

EX1

Any thoughts would be helpful,,, did I say it was driving me nuts??

Raised by the only professional printer frequenting the fora — he asked in two forums. Answers, but no solution. Answers by well known very vocal participants. So, since I was registered I provided the answer:

looks like ‘fisheye’ — in coating the over layer is rejected by the lower coat. cause is contamination. the deposits probably (if you could see them closely) would have a depression in the center down to the lower layer.. the ring is the coating that was supposed to flow over that open area.. yep. they can be brushed in to even out…

Within 6 months, Mr. Desperate was providing one and all the answer to their problems of mixing correctly. No reference given. He learned all of the methods of his portfolio from a group of avid amateurs, turning their answers into his business solution.

EX2

and the lone master who thought my named list was marker of territory ..a claim to ‘his’ value. I’m struggling to remember him. snow on steps. friend of Bret, writer of memoir about all the names he knew.

He missed my directed point that knowing other artists was one of the main values of being an artist. That even corresponding with them was a valuable means of development. Make yourself known, and accessible. Let those who are showing, those who are publishing, know of your work. What you are doing and where you are doing it. One of my mailings was to more than a thousand people. Postcards and postage were costing too much.

On this site is that list — not important for this post. It was part of my christmas list — I sent it in july. Same day for a dozen years. I collected names, addresses and phone numbers of photographers, critics, gallerists for years. I gave those listings to anyone who shared their details. Later, it served as the first mailing list for a beginning New York arts group.

I left. The Forum owner was kind enough to delete my posts and drop my ID from his site.

The short of my suggestion then and even more for now: Don’t just follow. Interact. To become interesting, know interesting people.

Oxymoronics —