Thursday, January 29, 2009

Censorship is alive and well


Two posts ago I posted about my Valentine's Day special and used the actual advertisement I was going to have published in two local newspapers. Well surprise, surprise both the Bucks County Herald and the Penny Power refused to run my ad. The Penny Power said the photo was to provocative and they go to too many conservative households where that wouldn't be acceptable. The Bucks County Herald said the photo was ok but the web linked to images containing nudity and their are people who pick up their free paper who might not like that. Remember, they would have to see the ad, then go to a computer and punch in the website. So if they didn't want to see it, why would they go through all that. And besides, these are probably the same households who's kids go hunting and kill defenseless animals for sport and play Grand Theft Auto all day. Violence is ok but a bit of skin, OH NO.
So now that we've entered a new era of change in the White House, will anything change? I doubt it. The ultra right winged conservative element, at least in this part of the county, has a death grip on the social and economic attitude of the people and politics here so tightly that it will never change. I sometimes feel I am fighting a battle that I can never win. But that doesn't mean I will ever stop trying to wake them up. Everything from movie ratings to advertisements to the social consciousness is slanted so that people are afraid of nudity, afraid that being nude, or seeing the nude portrayed artistically is immoral. But please don't try to take away their guns. You do that they start spouting the Constitution of course they forget the whole freedom of speech part.
So as a photographer whose artwork is primarily the nude figure, I have a bit of a conundrum, do I start photographic landscapes, covered bridges and puppy dogs or do I keep true to myself and photograph what I believe in, knowing that I probably never will get shown in a major gallery, never enjoy any success or recognition for my art and probably be the iconic starving artist? The answer of course is Yes, be true to yourself as an artist. I can take heart that I have wonderful support from my beautiful wife who backs me 100% of the time. Even when I am wrong, (ya gotta love her!)
So I guess for this week, it's time for me to step down from my soap box but I'd like to thank the Bucks County Herald and the Penny Power for censoring my ad, if you didn't I wouldn't have a blog this week.
By the way, the title of the photo above is "Liberties Revoked"

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Change has come to America


Just a quick note to reflect on what has just transpired.

On the history that was just made and on the hope for a less restrictive, conservative and elitist future for the USA. Being an artist my work has sometimes been political, my photographs are my voice and I have shared them with as many people as possible.
But even this morning people in the area where I live still were talking about how this country is now doomed, how with this "liberal" was going to ruin our nation.
I was getting coffee about 3 hours before our 44th President was sworn in and there was chatter about how bad things are. Not the current economic crisis we are in, not the awful wars we are fighting, but how awful it is that we have a liberal in the White House. My professional and personal life has suffered in the last 8 years and now I have a little glimmer of hope that change actually will occur. Don't get me wrong, I am not going soft and becoming romantic about this country, but President Obama's speech actually talked about the problems, not some distant government problem, but OUR collective problem. I was always told if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. So whether you are an artist, banker, lawyer, handyman or President of the US, we can all do something to wake this country up and get out of this terrible slump we are in.
And President Obama, remember we're watching, closely.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Commissioned Art for your Valentine


This blog post is a blatant advertisement. I admit it, I could use the business. But that doesn't diminish the fact that your lover doesn't want another box of candy or flowers that will die.(Sorry Cathy)A sensual portrait session is the perfect gift for that person in your life whom you share your innermost thoughts and desires with. Plus it's a way to pamper yourself too. So check out this link Commissioned Nudes and let me know what you think?
You still have time, I am taking bookings up until February 7th, so don't delay, act now! OK that really sounded like a late night infomercial!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Sex and saving the starving artist


Well it seems the art world is not immune to the slumping economy. Art galleries are closing all over the country and art auctions who are used to breaking records with new acquisitions and sales are now resigning themselves that even solid sellers aren't moving. Recently the International Asian Art Fair in New York was canceled citing “the present economic situation” The London-based organizers, Anna and Brian Haughton, posted a single paragraph on their Web site. Others are wondering when this will end and how many fairs will be canceled. Not only that most galleries and museums rely on benefactors to help support traveling exhibition, new acquisitions and day to day operations. So does the art community qualify for a federal bail out? It seems the financial, automotive and now the porn industry all have their hands out, why not the art world. And, yes by the way, the porn industry is now asking for a federal bail out. Please don't get me wrong, I support the porn industry and have no issues with it what-so-ever, but are they joking, a bail out? Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt and Girls Gone Wild chief executive Joe Francis issued a joint plea for Congress to pump 5 billion dollars into the sector. They claim that the economic downturn is hitting the porn business and that federal assistance is needed to boost the nation's sex drive. They also added that they deserve the same treatment offered to banks and the automobile industry. In a statement released on Wednesday, Mr Francis said the cash was needed "just to see us through hard times". He added: "Congress seems willing to help shore up our nation's most important businesses. We feel we deserve the same consideration. In difficult economic times, Americans turn to entertainment for relief. More and more the kind of entertainment they turn to is adult entertainment." But according to Mr Flynt, economic woes have led to a sagging national sex drive. Larry Flint said: "People are too depressed to be sexually active. This is very unhealthy as a nation. Americans can do without cars and such but they cannot do without sex."
So here is my solution, Get Laid America. Any true patriot should be having sex, masturbating and enjoying themselves for the good ol' Red, White and Blue! Also we should legalize prostitution, control and tax it. The extra tax money can go to help us out of our current economic woes. Then maybe once our economic issues calm down due to all the increased sexual activity in our country, maybe then people will have the disposable income again to support their favorite artists.
I wonder if I can make a car ribbon, "For the Economy, Support Sex"

Monday, January 5, 2009

New Year, new ideas


Hello all, Yes it has been over a month since my last post. That almost sounded like a Catholic Confession "Forgive me father, it has been a year since my last confession"!!
Anyway, Happy New Year! Wow, 2009, I can't believe I started shooting in 1982. So this year I am starting out with an open call for people to pose, models and everyday people who are a bit of an exhibitionist and want to be part of my artwork. Currently I have the red Chair series still progressing and have started my Mythology series. Both of which I hope will be book and exhibition worthy.
The photo above is titled: "The Pleiad, Electra", a new image as part of the Mythology series.