Lets start a little discussion here, and keep it neutral and kind please!

I am a lady, getting older, with arthritis - so copy/paste thank you notes seem logical for massive influx. I try to be personal with individual comments. I can no longer paint/draw in the traditional sense unless I load up on Tylenol or Advil. I don't use/have Social media (I refuse it, as an ex- IT professional), I don't need likes/comments or anyone's approval. I am an artist - and this site simply helps me express my art. Both privately, and publicly. My name is Dianne Rivers, and I thank you for this provocative enquiry.. 🤗

I only use it for artspace.

By far, the largest complaint I have about the challenges is that they quickly devolve into cuteness competitions instead of inspiring artistic creativity. On the contrary, in order to rank high, people are motivated to quickly devalue art that doesn't conform to the hyper-feminine aesthetic. In order to have anything else judged fairly, you have to part of the club of artists who know each other's work at repeatedly upvote whatever they submit.

NC needs to figure out a way to make the challenges fun for people who don't have an insatiable appetite for cuteness and romanticism. And for people who aren't in the 'club'. The current format stifles creativity and makes voting in a multi-hundred person competition a grueling experience while knowing in advance that your work will be downvoted.

First off, lovely creation. ♥️ For now, I only use NC as a personal art space. I’m an artist in real life I make lots of traditional art, but I’m always open to new technology and new ideas. So I decided to try AI. At first I found it frustrating because nothing I ever imagined was manifested, but after Dalle-3 arrived it was a game changer. I’m using it as a sounding board to create images that I can use for future paintings. It’s amazing because it has given me ideas I would’ve never thought of otherwise. And also many extra hands and limbs. Haha. I personally dislike those copy and paste challenge messages. It couldn’t hurt to say something personal every once in awhile. A few people actually do and I really appreciate them. As for the rest, if people want to sell things I’m 100% for it. It’s really tough for an artist to make a living.

I don't, yet, have anything to advertise. So NC servers as artspace for me. Having said that, I have no problem with people promoting their own work. It is nowhere near annoying on NC now.

I have done personal comments in 50 participant challenges and wouldn't really like to do that in anything bigger regularly. On the other hand I like host thanking participants and thus marking the end of the challenge.

Well I guess it has to be paid for someway! Encouraging people to subscribe and use specialised Loras is one way!