Post #681960 by Hale Tiki on Fri, Jun 14, 2013 8:26 AM

On 2013-06-14 05:19, happy buddha wrote:

ATP and Hale Tiki were making the point that any 11-year-old today can use a computer program. That doesn't make you an 'artist'. They are not wrong.

Not quite. Though you're right, they're extremely user friendly, and children by the age of 11 have more knowledge and skill with computers than people 4 times their age. They're the information generation. But that's beside the point.

To those reading this, be warned that from this point forward, I have done away with niceties, as it would appear that Gene has no interest in showing them to me. You may be offended by what you are about to read, and for that I am sorry, as I hate when there is any negativity on Tiki Central, and hate that I have to contribute to it. But Gene touched a nerve, and was not very kind. Though rest assured, no matter what else is said, it is the last thing I have to say on the matter, and I will not be responding to any other messages posted on this thread, so as to not antagonize anyone else. I've never been rude, mean, or negative towards others on the site, and Gene's accusations and attitude are unacceptable in my book. For the following, I apologize.

I don't even know where to begin with you, Gene. I really don't. I tried to be nice, and helpful, and help you grow as an artist. It was sincere. I didn't say anything insulting. If you were insulted by me saying that there's room for improvement in your work, then tough shit, Gene. If you don't have any interest in growing as an artist, then perhaps you should put down the brush, or in this case, the finger. I'm not here to coddle you, I'm not your mother. I put time and thought into a message that was meant to diffuse a situation, because you were offended, and others were being offended for you, and I don't like seeing conflict on Tiki Central. Because I cared about your feelings, and wanted you to grow as an artist. Why? I don't know you from Adam, Gene. But you showed some passion for Tiki, and that's what this site is about. So I did my best, and tried to be as helpful and thoughtful as I could. I didn't insult anyone, I didn't call anyone names, and I wasn't rude. I don't appreciate your message, or you twisting my words. I spend a lot of time everyday on this site, Gene. I contribute. I try to provide thoughtful feedback to artists, I soak in as much information as I can, and every day I'm grateful for people who post information that I would otherwise never know about a subject that I hold so dear. So don't you DARE suggest that I'm some type of tyrant who is trying to cater the site to my own needs, and should be booted by a moderator. I looked at your post history, Gene. 99% of your posts are about your own work. 28 of your posts were on other threads. It's all been about your "art" for your Cafepress site. It's obvious that your only interest in tiki is to make money. If you want to throw stones, I'll throw stones Gene. You haven't contributed anything to Tiki Central unless it was about your own work. You've shown no interest in the history, the music, the food and drink, and the people. Above all, the people, Gene. I've had the pleasure of meeting a LOT of people from Tiki Central, and I've put myself in the poorhouse, at times, so that I could contribute to tiki culture, and go to the events, and meet the people that make Tiki Central great. It's been some of the best times of my life, and there are some of the most talented, wonderful, thoughtful, and intelligent people that I've ever met on this site. People who care about Polynesian Pop, and want to see its traditions preserved, new ones started, and separate the wheat from the chaff. And with your work, your selfish attitude, and your bastardization of tiki that you call a style, you sir, are chaff.

[ Edited by: Hale Tiki 2013-06-14 09:46 ]