AND I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I HEART THE LIVE STUDIOS! I've bookmarked two already and refer to them often. I can't wait to start making the mosaic jewelry mirrors (a la Dorothy Edwards) and now have the courage, and desire, to do some collage/assemblage work with new materials I don't normally experiment with.

Why on earth I didn't get over here years ago is still a mystery to me. And the membership fees are incredibly low considering the professional quality, functions and value of the site as a whole, but also as marketing tools for the individual artist.

I love the community here. The forums have been great places to go for help and just a place to hang out. There is always someone there with excellent advice. And, unlike many other forums this one has no flame wars and everyone handles themselves like adults in a community.

Lastly (but not least important) the portfolio has given me a place to show the huge diversity of my work. It is a place to send people if they really want to see what I do. It means the world to me.

...Perhaps it is that I received a commission today upwards of $2k because someone spent two hours perusing through EBSQ looking for just the right art to showcase in his freshly renovated house. Something to fit his style. Just one reason EBSQ is so great. Thanks EBSQ!

What I wasn't prepared for was the wonderful artists' community that I was joining....I'm a bit isolated where I live so it's very important to be able to have a place like this to go to. The forums are the best... warm, caring individuals who share information generously and are always there for support in good times and bad....I can't do without my daily (well, several daily actually) dose of EBSQ friendships!

I joined, and discovered an incredible community, and I plunder shameless in there whenever I need help or comfort !

In short from someone with no previous experience in the art world, EBSQ has been and continues to be invaluable.

It has definately given me a kick in the pants to paint, paint, paint! After joining EBSQ I felt like I was back in college art classes with my fellow artists, sitting around throwing out ideas and critiquing each others work. It's definately the motivation I needed.

If you are a shy, keep to yourself artist (like I thought I was) EBSQ is perfect for you. I swear the minute you sign up and can access the EBSQ boards you will be blabbing your art views in a matter of moments.

Looking back since I joined late March of 2002 (but not actively until June), I now realize that this group has saved me from letting my career go. It's been a tough year for my household, and I have allowed a gallery relationship to devastate me so I couldn't do any art and I didn't see beauty in things anymore.

I was desperate to change directions and the first thing that came to mind was Ebay. That was the time I joined EBSQ. There was a call for arts for Ripped Off Show. For the first time I was seeing beauty again--beauty in other artists' works. I was already a fan of DK Stone and of Lori Rase Hall because their art auctions caught my attention. So I combined them for the Ripped Show. And that was the ice pick that broke the cold wall which kept me away from my own art.

From that point I've been back doing my own art YIPPEEEE! Slowly but surely I find a lot of support on the boards and enjoy exchanging ideas and opinions with all the members who I truly respect and admire. The honesty of some of the postings are so touching--wow they are having the same issues!!! I'm consistently humbled and inspired by these artists who share my aspirations.

Ebsq has also pioneered the way artists break into the field. Instead of having to hope someone likes your work enough to give you a chance, ebsq accepts everyone with open arms.

Ebsq has propelled my career in art from a part time hobbyist to the point where I could (if I wanted to) quit my job and make a living off my art. Without ebsq, I'm not sure if that would have been possible.

WINGS...Encouraging me to continue, and teaching me of the Importance of artists in society.

GARDENERS...Nurturing me, giving me the confidence to blossom by expecting more from (and for) my art.

CRUTCH...Providing me with advice, critiques, inspiration, and new ways to move forward.

FAMILY...Lending a supportive shoulder whenever times are tough

INFORMATION -- I would have to say that ebsq provided me with a LOT of informational support before embarking on my online art career.

And RESOURCES! Through ebsq, I discovered canvasplace.com, and the MisterArt VIP benefit is great, too - I save LOTS of money, even after adding shipping costs, over what I can buy locally in the way of supplies.

FRIENDSHIP! I have made a few friends - people that I feel comfortable discussing things with -- and not just "art things", but anything....

I think the bottom line is PEACE OF MIND. ebsq has provided me with some kind of peace, in knowing that I can come here to the boards and sound off if I need to without being shunned, or ask for tips (whether technical or otherwise) and get advice and opinions.

Oh, I forgot -- LAUGHS! There's always SOMEwhere on this board that a member can come to for a good laugh or a bit of entertainment.