[drIace]

I'm not so sure that the reason for not printing letters to the editor solely has to do with the argument about modeling as being art. Possibly more to do with the inate back and forth that it seems to result in, spurious arguments back and forth as some just want to keep the pot boiling.

Seems neither "side" wants to accept facts, rather keeping only as to their particular narrow view, who seem to think their sacred ox is being gored. Fueled by a narcistic desire to see their "deathless prose" immortalized by it's appearance in the 'letters' section of the publication as the "final word".

It is a hobby, a disciplined skill that needs to be aquired and an art all at the same time. When all three of these legs, like the three legs of a triangle, are done well you have a truley magnificant piece to behold.

Take a Remington ( both paintings and Sculptures), a Rembrandt, a Dega, a Goya, a Renoir, ad infinitum.... required all three of those legs to be what they are ( do you really think any of their first pieces look what you see in museums and private collections today!!!!)

It reminds me of the following quote:... "when critics get together they "argue" over who is the best artist; when artists get together they ask each other where to get the best turpentine...".

Now at contests it is a bit different, after all it is a competition and especially at the NATS you have plenty of categories so that apples are going against apples. The 'winners' are those that complete all three legs of the triangle. And in my 33+ years experience, those who complain the most about not 'winning' are those that wish to look at or only consider just one leg of the triangle, ignoring ( even when politely pointed out) the obvious lack in the other 2; and those who fail to learn those lessons are doomed to repeat their failures. End of my discussion on this.