What a Community!

Some end of year thoughts.

As 2022 winds down, I want to thank all of you who subscribe to our Paper Arts newsletter, whether free or paid. Bob and I are humbled by the response and your continued engagement with us and each other. Our incredible, passionate, knowledgable community thrives.

Here's one example I'll share with you. Several weeks ago I posted a newsletter about the issues I have with judges who may be unqualified to judge print contests. That newsletter generated a lot of comments. One subscriber sent me a direct email in which he generally supported my take on the topic, but also felt he had something to offer in the way of helping photographers deal with being judged, by themselves or others.

That subscriber is Eden Maxwell, an established artist with major exhibitions to his credit and too many accolades to list here. I just love his artwork, which he now prints as Giclees on inkjet printers. So he knows a thing or two about fine art printing.

Now, here's a curveball for you. Maxwell is not a photographer. He is a classical artist using modern methods to produce intriguing, imaginative and thoughtful works of art. His book, "An Artist Empowered" (which I'm in the midst of reading and thoroughly enjoying) should be required reading for all of you out there who are serious about your photography, about achieving a higher level of art, and who may even submit your work to contests or for critique.

In fact, Maxwell allowed us to reprint one of his chapters on contests, rejection, and rising above that emotional maelstrom. As a contest judge and photography art consultant myself, the chapter spoke to me.

When you subscribers read it you were obviously taken by its candor and humanity, offered by a man who knows what he is talking about. Comments came in from all over. I now correspond with Maxwell, a friendship that came as a gift from this marvelous community.

So, thank you again for your support and involvement. We welcome your comments, questions, contrary viewpoints and images of your prints that you wish to share. We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a creative, joyful 2023. Now, go print!