Hey everyone, I feel as if I need to inform you about the situation the forum is in, because this issue has caused so much confusion and concerns.

I was skeptical, as were many of you, but to keep things fair, I am not going to allow this community to be taken advantage of, because many of you know how much I have come to love you all and I can sometimes get real defensive of all of you.

Gary, the guy who runs Obsidian Painting is not taking his place in this community to simply use it as a way of making money, at least, not without offering help to users in the community; Oliver made the choice to work with him, and if he's a friend of Oliver, then I have to find a way to make this work for all of us.

I already know, now, that this is no sponsorship, nor is this deal going to be used to take advantage of any of you. I personally, have cleared things up with Gary and for the best interest of the community, Gary is offering a special discount to all members of this community. Not only will this help those with low income, but allow even new members to take part within this community as a whole.

This forum is free, belongs to all the members of the forum and I will not allow someone to try and take advantage of any of you.

Obsidian Painting will NOT hold a section of its own on these forums, as they have been seen as unfair to many of you. The only thing I offered Gary is a "Ad" banner on the Portal with a link to his webstore, that's it.

I am happy he is a member of the forum and hope he continues to post and talk with everyone here, but I cannot go against the best interests of the community.

I am trying so hard to keep this forum YOURS (the users), and I have put too much time and effort into this forum to have it ripped away from all of you.

Lastly, all I want is for the community to grow, expand and get better; this is in the best interest of the community as a whole. I can only hope that we can keep this at a level where everyone wins and things aren't seen for what they are not. If I did not give a crap about the forums, I would not at all be spending so much time and devotion to it. I will never claim them as my own, because it truly does belong to everyone involved, that means all of you, the community's members.

Thanks, guys.

i think that is a fair agreement. i applaud you for figuring this all out.

Congradulations to all involved in resolving these issues in an expediant and amicable fashion
Great job!