The Fear - Beginners Hurdles.

Just before I start to make this clear, I am in no way referencing this site that I have come to love in the following. As a beginner there are some fairly daunting prospects when coming to display work on a website. The quality and quantity of work produced by others is outstanding and this can form a hurdle for many a beginner. It certainly did for myself. I don't mean in any way that it shouldn't be allowed, I'm saying it can divert focus from what youw have achieved. Has anyone else experienced this as a minor set back when starting out? The biggest thing for me when I posted to another website was the crushing blows I received from other users. My work was in some cases descried as yawnsome and tedious. In others simply stated "this clearly hasn't worked for you" but no useful comments to follow.... I even private messaged another user who's work was attacked so crudely that she even commented of the prospects of not painting anymore and how upset she was with the comments. I convinced her to find another outlet and I hope she finds this site. It all leads me to this. I understand that within the art world there will be the greats and the beginners but so certain people need to approach it with such an elitist attitude? Art is one of those things that thrives in the artists mind and then to the beauty of the beholder. Each piece is created individual and means something to the person that created it and can then strike a chord with others who come to witness it. Perfection may be what we all aim for but is it a required necessity when a few lines and some simple techniques can tell such a story? I hope I am not alone in feeling this. I have used this site as an outlet as all comments on my work is constructive and positive and I will go nowhere else to reach out to the art community. I understand the need for constructive criticism as it can drive us all to New heights and no one can like everything but can we not approach it in a sense of the'if you don't like it, leave it alone' . Nothing is gained from negative remarks for their sake alone. Again, although I keep mentioning it, this site is not the one I am talking about but imagine the damage that could be done to so many from so few. Thanks for reading. I will stop moaning now.