Another nude sketch.
I sometimes wish that we were back to the 1900s or so, when sex and sexuality, at least in art, were perceived differently. I think the society we live in is very prudish, to a hypocritical degree. Porn consumption is probably more rampant than ever, yet few people want to consider the erotic nude as art anymore. The nude is an abomination that society demonizes, which is a really unfortunate thing since, well - it’s us.
I sometimes wonder why I keep drawing the girls I do. Sometimes I think I should quit it and just draw something else that the public likes. Flowers. Animals. Cute yet edgy cartoons doing comically suggestive things. Yet none of these appeal to me. The female form in its simplest perfection forever will hold an allure; there is a rhythm and harmony to it. You can say what you want about objectifying women; conversely, does no one else find it strange that a woman cannot celebrate her sex without being thought of as lewd?
In my head at least, I’m not creating pictures for men to jerk off to. If some do titillate, well, that’s fine, I think it’s a natural reaction. It’s the same for me as seeing a nice sports car or a handsome man - the eye is drawn to what it likes and the body reacts. To take this to its extreme is not natural, but to deny it seems equally so. I’m not what I find more appalling - the Puritan mentality or the hypocritical way it’s applied.
Ugh. At any rate, the bottom line is that I don’t supposed my drawings will be accepted by the art scene in the near future. Perhaps by the time they no longer hold my interest, the tide will turn. That would be typical of the ironies of life.
2 Comments
I couldn’t agree with you more. I was in NY a week ago and had brunch at Cafe Des Artistes and it had beautiful murals by Howard Chandler Christy that were painted during the golden age of illustration. All are wonderful nudes that are just breath taking to look at and you can just feel the beauty of the work resonate through the whole restaurant. Google it if you get the chance. Thanks for posting.
u inspire me (: i love your works.
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