After receiving news from Guinness and consulting with the co-creator
of the project, due to the recent developments and concerns, the
project has been modified. The main reason being, due to the uniqueness
of the project, there is no
guarantee when or if we will end up with a world record in the record
books. I can only hope that people realize, this project is about so
much more. It always has been but now the project is evolving to
reflect the importance not so much of the world records but of the art.
And, really, that IS what it is all about. Please read these
modifications carefully and through to their entirety, before making
the decision to stay with or leave the project.

First, we are still planning on keeping with the two inch wide canvas
sections. However, the sections will be longer. Instead of getting nine
inches each artist will receive 12 inches.

Each of the sections will be numbered and fitted into eachother
before they are shipped. Each artist will have 6 months to complete
their canvas. If the canvas is not completed within 6 months, another
piece will replace that number/spot in the artwork. For instance. If
you have piece #33 and you return it within the six months, it will
remain in the #33 spot. However, if you do not return it, another #33
piece will be made to be put in it's place. This does not mean your
original #33 piece will not become part of the canvas. It just means
that it will be refitted in a different spot (say spot #453 if you
return it later than the 6 months. One of the reasons this is being
done is to encourage people to get their pieces back to me in a timely
manner and also so that in the future you will know which piece number
that you are (because you will be assigned to a number) and you will be
able to easily access it during future
events/promotions.

Which brings me to the next modifications. After much consideration and
countless emails from all of you, my devotion towards the art awareness
aspect of the project has been strengthened and I have decided to
modify the project to reflect that.

As I have mentioned, I have decided that I will prepare the canvas in
such a way before it is sent for each artist to be able to paint the
canvas from end to end. This will not only be easier for the artists to
work with (not having to worry about leaving the right amount of room
on each end) it will keep it more durable through the shipping and
handling process. In addition, it will keep the art from being
cut into.

Which brings me to the next point and the most dramatic changes of the
project. It may come as a shock but after you read about these changes
just let it sink in for a bit and realize that this project, as with
everything on this planet, must evolve to become the best that it can
possibly be. If, after you have read about the new modifications, you
decide that you no longer wish to be a part of the project, please
email me and request that you be taken off the canvas mailing list. I
understand that not everyone will be happy with the
changes but they have been well thought out and discussed and the co-
creator and I felt that these changes would be beneficial to the
artistic integrity of the project and to the artists who have so
generously offered to donate their time and work. These modifications
are mainly for them.

First of all, I will not be cutting into anyone's art. As I
mentioned, I will send precut foot long sections of canvas that will
fit into eachother. These will be the actual puzzle pieces. In other
words, I will not be cutting each person's art into the smaller one
inch pieces as I previously had planned. I will still be revealing
smaller puzzle pieces throughout the art but rather than revealing that
aspect through the cutting of one inch pieces I will be revealing it
through the art itself. The reasons for this change is many fold.
First, it will preserve the art. This way, it will be handled less and
there will be less risk of damage or loss. The second, it will allow
the artist more freedom to work in the medium that they choose. Third,
it will be easier to store and display and photograph.

Which brings me to the next modification. I will not be selling the
original artwork. After much consideration, I realize that this is art
project is simply too monumental to sell to the highest bidder and
would better serve its purpose remaining together. It would be a grave
injustice for it not to be kept in it's entirety to be used as a
reminder for generations of what this project is/was about. My original
plan was to sell the pieces for charity, after reaching the record
goals. But, then, I thought, wouldn't it be better to keep the original
artwork intact, continually adding to it
through the ages, and simply sell promotional items (prints,
postcards, tshirts, calendars etc.) to help different charities
including the project? And, if the project remained entact with all of
the original artwork, it could be displayed in an endless amount of
places in an endless amount of ways for an endless amount of reasons.
(Including charitable events, benefits, art shows, gallery openings and
the like... because the meaning behind the project is so universal the
possibilities for it doing good as a whole are endless.Imagine being
part of a charitable event and being surrounded by the reminder that we
are all connected... what an impact that
could make on people of all walks of life!) I simply feel that the
project will do more good and it will be of greater service to the
world and its artists if the original art remained entact and not for
sale.

Yes, I do realize these are huge changes and it will mean that the
artists won't be getting their own pieces of the puzzle to keep and
share but I hope that they understand that I am doing more to benefit
them and to benefit the world through them by these changes. I will,
however, respect the artists that no longer wish to be a part of the
project as it has evolved. If you wish to be taken off the project
canvas list, as I have said, just let me know. I will respect people's
decisions as I hope they will respect mine.