It started with the smell of the sea and ended with a happy twist in the tail

The week started with a burst of painting from me. That in itself isn't that unusual, I have bursts of painting sessions quite often. This one was prompted by the fact that I had to get the paperwork completed and returned this week for an exhibition that is taking place at the end of August, and when the questions require such things as "title","medium", "size" and "price" it helps somewhat if the painting actually exists in real life! I couldn't ever just presume a painting would be finished by then, it has to be actually complete, for me to fill the form out. Hence the flurry of paintings, as I particularly wanted to do a couple of the sea, since I've recently been on holiday, and I find it a delightful place to be, as do most people.

I had virtually finished a pretty watercolour of the area I went to in France, at St Palais - and was absolutely delighted with it, as it depicted all that I had hoped for - the view of a sundrenched sandy beach, the tide receeded a little to reveal hidden rock pools full of sealife to explore in their miniature worlds, sand, sea, a large beach curving around to the next headland, pine trees revealing the buildings tucked amongst them, and the feeling of a bright sunny day from the strong shadow to one side, hinting at the steps following the wall down to the beach, and a couple of children playing by the waters edge, paddling and debating whether to have a swim or an icecream. The picture so easily named itself "The summer holidays start here"! And because it had gone so well, it inspired me to start another one, but this one a looser picture, more a hint of the sea crashing in, wet sand, and the curve of a wave as it foamed against the sand, and a couple walking in the distance. But the whole purpose of the painting, indicated by the title itself, is that the sky and sea merge as one as the clouds come in as the wind picks up. So, again, another easy title to name the picture (and I love it when it flows like that, it means it feels right!). But the part I love the best of this painting is actually the wave in the foreground, and the foam itself, it more than anything else in that picture is the part I love the most, the way the water is flowing, the texture and the dedicate colours of water, sand, and foam so difficult to paint, and yet it works so well here, but I know that's because I was on a roll, and all inspired from the other painting I'd done!

So, that was my week, of painting, and it's been a good one, because of these happy holiday paintings.

And then I opened up my my emails.

And found one from Lucy Felthouse.....

.....which said..

Just a very quick message to you to let you know that the Seducing the Myth cover is out in the wild! I just posted a blog post about it, along with the table of contents. You’re fully credited within the manuscript, too. It should be out within a few weeks.

YAY!!!!

So, go and have a look for yourselves, and see what my painting looks like now that it's a book cover!

And I'm so delighted to see that it has been well received so far, with the comments Lucy's had for it, which is really exciting to hear!

So, all in all,  it's been a good marine week! (I mean, of the salty variety, not the sailor sort!!)

Two mermaids for the price of one!

When I had a chat with erotic author Lucy Felthouse the other week about her latest book "Seducing the myth" I was fascinated by the idea of the erotic stories featuring mythological creatures within it, and absolutely delighted to be asked to design the cover for it. Its definitely my sort of book!  She had let me read the mermaid story she had written which will be featured in the book, and that lead on to some ideas as a basis of ideas for the cover. I drew a very basic thumbnail sketch to show Lucy my idea and she agreed it would be a good concept for the book. Ok, then....... I was ready to start....

But it wasn't until this week that I was able to begin it. And I knew that I would have to paint the picture in a slightly different way to normal, as the three basic tones would have to be slightly stronger than I would usually do to make the picture more dramatic.

I started by choosing the watercolours I wanted to use, a gorgeous turquoise, a slightly darker greeny blue, maroon, and green gold for the mermaids tail.  And knew before I had even started it that it would have paint poured on, and splatter within it, as that adds to the magical mystical feel of watercolour. The pale wet wash worked beautifully for the under water feel of the painting, and I made sure the masking fluid masked out any areas that I didn't want paint to touch whilst I painted the  fluid background. And with the aid of salt and splattered paint the background worked really nicely. I painted the mermaid next as she reaches out to the man's face she can see in the water, using lots of splattered white for the effect of her fishy tail swishing around as she edges towards him. The smiling man's face was painted subtly with his features a little indistinct. A few twiddles here and there and the picture was finished. I stood back to contemplate it and looked again at what had weaved its way into the picture..... for I could quite clearly see the hint of a large skull within the paint. And I smiled to myself, because I knew that was when a picture of mine produces its own magic from something I don't plan, but it happens anyway and it always enhances the picture when it does happen. It's part of the flow from me to my artwork via the creative spirit. But, it also means that I am totally in tune with my painting as well, because even though I didn't consciously plan it, the fact that there is a skull hinted at is so right for this story because ....(oh, well, I let you read Lucy's story for yourself, and you'll see what I mean.....!).

So, that was it, the picture painted.

Except, there was still more in me.

I had a strong desire to paint another one.

But with a bit more passion in this one, some more oomph....

So, I started afresh with another piece of watercolour paper, more or less the same colours (but without the maroon, and using burnt umber instead), and wet the paper and started with the windsor yellow of sunlight filtering down, the turquoise of the water, and adding more swirls of white and movement with this mermaid and man. They are totally in tune with each other, they are lost in their own world of lust and love, as they caress and swim energetically through the depths of water. I like this painting also, it's more erotic and sensual..... but it hasn't got the depth of magic in it that the other one has.

I'm pleased with them both though.

Oh, and the titles... the first one is called "Seducing the myth, gently" and the second one is called "Seducing the myth, with passion".  The same concept, the same subjects, just both done in slightly different ways to get the point across.

Now I'm just wondering what the next mermaid picture will be, I do love doing em!

............

And as a post script - I've just had Lucy's conformation that she loves the "Seducing the myth, gently" painting as well, and we are in totally agreement that it is that picture that is the right one for the book cover! She says its going to be fabulous! So, that's great to hear, and we're both happy!!! Result!!!

Business with Lucy in the very erotic style

My good friend Lucy Felthouse came around last night, and as always was a joy and delight to be with. I know it is technically a business meeting, and most of the night was actually discussing business, although anyone else listening to the subject matter would find an awful lot to be titillated over, for certain. But that is all very normal for us, in our line of work, since I am an Erotic Artist, and she is a Erotic Writer, although both of us are perfectly capable of doing non erotic subject matter within our scope of work, we both enjoy the erotic stuff, and it seems to be the way forward for both of us judging by the fan base of people who are interested in our work and are happy to part with their money to prove the point!

Part of the nights discussions was of us collaborating on an idea where we can work together on a project, since Lucy as asked me to design the front cover of her latest book, and I must admit she couldn't have asked me to do anything I'd like to do more, since she wanted one of my favourite subject matters painting. She had emailed me the first draft of  the story she wanted me to illustrate earlier in the afternoon, and I had read the short story and been intrigued with it, partly as she had written it from the man's perspective, and partly because I loved the idea within the tale. In my mind I had envisioned the scene, the surrounding area, and the action that had taken place within it. When Lucy came over later that evening we discussed it, and I described my thoughts regarding it, and to help me to understand it better she showed me photos she had taken of that specific area of water in Derbyshire that is featured in the story. But when I saw it, it took me aback, as the place was far bleaker than I had imagined, and had no trees there, not one, and yet in my version of it in my head, there were loads of trees, tall ones, a whole wood of em! So from that knowledge, and her knowledge, we sat down and talked it over, and I asked her her ideas of what she had thought about the picture, and I explained my ideas, and very quickly we were in agreement of the image that would work.  And its one that I find very exciting....

.....I'm not sure how much I can say about the book before it is published, but my part is the design for the front cover that is featured in the story Lucy showed me yesterday, a very sexy story about an inquisitive man and a mythical creature, an illusive creature, a mysterious creature of water, but not of the sea, although she is still a mermaid, and I find mermaids very sexy as a concept and absolutely love to paint them. But also the image has to bear in mind that it needs to be clear on a cover of a book, it needs strong contrasts, and sharp detail, and enough room within the image for the title and authors name to be printed on.  Plus, even though its got erotic content inside the covers can't be too naughty, so I'm going to have to tone that down a lot, unfortuantely, but it's not a huge problem to do. So, that's my next project, and I shall love doing it for her, and I'm all fired up over it and can't wait to get going on it!

But, the next couple of days I need to get ready for exhibiting at Ticknall, in South Derbyshire, as I am part of Ashby Guild of Artists exhibition at the village hall there over the bank holiday weekend. It's an annual exhibition and one that I am always happy to be part of, and see what other work my fellow artists have produced in the last few months. So, if you're able to come along, please do so, it would be good to see you there, and we are pleased to announce that the charity we are donating to this year is "Fishing for heroes". So, its for a good cause, and we'll also be serving some delicious cake and tea or coffee, which makes for a very pleasant trip out in lovely rural surroundings. So, mermaids will have to wait a day or too, but I'm sure they will be as fresh in my head then as they are now.... fresh, sexy, alluring, and very very sensual.....

Sh! Who goes there

Now, what was I going to tell you? Oh, I know, about the great place I'm going to be exhibiting at, later on in the year! Actually, its two places........ both in London. One is in Portobello, and the other is in Hoxton.

The two exhibitions will follow on from each other, Hoxton will be in September, and Portobello in October. So, that means a bit of running around between the putting up and taking down dates, but I'm used to that, in setting up exhibitions.

And they are probably one of the best places for me to exhibit some of the Fantasy Fannies although I think I shall be taking other paintings of mine too, as well as some prints.

And the venue? It's........hardly a secret, but it sounds like one! Sh! Women's Erotic Emporium is probably one of the best places for me, as a woman artist, to exhibit at because they are sex shops for all types and ages of women. And it's run by women, for women as an antidote to sleazy sex shops.  They try to create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for women to browse both within their stores and on line. Unaccompanied men are allowed in the shops, but only on one night a week, other than that then they must be with a female friend. Sh! want women to feel good about their sexuality, and I am delighted to have been invited to help them do that, since that is what my art is about as well, in a positive and creative way. So, it should be fun, and I'm looking forward to it very much.


And as an extra....... if you're in the area of Portobello on Saturday 9th April, I'd recommend you drop in to see (or at least hear!) my mate Lucy Felthouse doing an erotic  reading, along with other writers........bound to be a lot of fun! And very naughty too!

Smut, to the highest degree

There aren't many meetings I have that involve many adult themed words as a matter of course, but my meetings with Lucy Felthouse, are definitely some of them!

We met up last night and had our usual good chin-wag about sex, erotica, erotic writing, erotic art, erotic websites, erotic writers, swinging, sex clubs, bi-sexuality, gay men, straight men, lesbian women, sex toys, sex shops, kissing, oral sex, sex in public, and smut in general! So, all in all, a good night!!!

But other more vanilla things did get discussed too - I'm sure Morrisons was mentioned a couple of times, along with er, well.........

.........Oh, yes, and I told her about my talk at Burton Library last week, but that was about me being an Erotic Artist. So, um, perhaps the whole evening was smut filled!!!!! LOL

But the great thing is, we can talk in great depth about all things erotic that affect women, in an open and honest and upfront sort of way. Although when its work, neither of us get turned on on the subject (because we talked about that aspect last night too, as we've both been asked if we get turned on when we're writing (or painting) and the answer is "No, it's work!" - not that anyone believes that though, I don't think. But it's true, because you use a different part of your brain for lust than you do for working and being creative.

But it was definitely a good meeting, in that she's given me a couple of names that may be good for me to follow up and see if I can do some work in conjunction with them, and Lucy has asked me to design a front cover for her latest writings on a mythological theme. She asked me if I had anything already that I could use, and I thought briefly and said "Unicorns?" and she shook her head and said "They're not very erotic" and I agreed and then said quickly "Mermaids!" and she brightened at that and agreed with a grin, and added that she had written an erotic story about mermaids, so that would be an excellent choice. I nodded happily at her too, as I find mermaids very erotic, and sexy. I think its the sensual feel of the water around their bodies, and the way their hair flows around them, their pert breasts and smiling faces. So, I await instructions from Lucy as to how many mermaids she wants on her front cover and whether there are any mer-men there too........and what indeed they might be doing..............  

And we also talked a little of my thoughts on doing some erotic writing... I've got some ideas milling around at the moment, which may come to fruition................

Passing on the creativity

My mate the erotic writer Lucy Felthouse came over the other night for a drink and a chat, and I know most "business" meetings are boring - but ours NEVER are!!! Since we're never far away from what Lucy smilingly refers to as "smut"! (lovely word, so very evocative!). But when we're both in the business of selling erotic fantasies, what do you expect! I've not seen her for months so it was great to have a catch-up chat and ask about each others work and what each has been doing in our private lives... she's always amused when she thinks that a lot of people think she's actually done what she's writing about. I'm never asked that though, but perhaps people expect that one way or another, an artist creates an illusion......

By the end of the evening, when we were all "smutted out" and it was time for Lucy to go, she commented about me writing about some of the things I'd talked of to her. I could instantly feel the fire of desire rise within me! I wanted that, I wanted it a lot. I've always felt that I want to write, and the obvious thing would to be erotica, so, that's given me something to think about, too..... which is normal when Lucy and I get together!

And there must definitely be something in the air this week, because when I had a chat on the phone earlier with my new muse, to arrange the next drawing session, and told her that I'd stayed up til 2 o'clock in the morning drawing her because I was so inspired, and she told me that she was now also inspired to write some erotic stories too! I love it when the creative spirit feeds from other people's creativity! Absolutely love it!!!!

I'm really pleased with the drawing I've done so far of her. I needs a bit more work doing on it though before I show it here. It was difficult to even decide which paper to use to start with. I made the mistake of starting with a coloured textured paper, and tore it up before I'd done too much to it, to swap to a smooth white cartridge paper. She's so soft and feminine, that the paper has to match that softness. I decided to use dark graphite pencil in the end, rather than a colour, or a range of colours. Again, her beauty doesn't need to be gilded too much - just a single colour will emphasis that. But I know the more I draw her and the more I am used to looking at her, and seeing her, that I may branch out to other colours, other textured papers, other coloured papers, paint, bright vibrant paint, and large brush strokes. But, I am starting slowly at the moment.....whilst the passion rises within me again.

Well, who else was he going to ask?

In a way, its not a surprise at all - I should expect it really. Because if someone else is interested in art, has a bit of the creative spirit in them, and they have enough of an interest to try to have a go at it themselves, and want to improve on it, they're going to want some positive constructive feedback. From someone they like, respect and admire, who is friendly and approachable. Like any pupil of art, you want to learn and listen to the words of someone wiser than you on the subject. That's what teachers are for.
So, if its erotic art, what do you do? You ask someone who is knowledgeable in erotic art.

That would be......................ME !!!     :)

The new pupil in question has bought some prints of my "fantasy fannies" recently, and told me at the time how much he liked them and the subject matter, and that seeing them had encouraged him to draw some of his own. He asked beforehand if I'd be interested in seeing his artwork, and I agreed I would. He sent them to me for me to give my opinion on his sketches of the pussies (no, I DON'T mean the four-legged meowing variety!) asking for any criticism and my advice for any improvements he could make. I'll take a good  look at his budding artwork and give my considered opinion and hope that he can begin to make the improvements he seeks.

And I'll think about the possibility of teaching art .....................in particular..... sensual  art. And wonder how much of a market there is for it. I know there's a good market for painting flowers, wildlife, landscapes, still-life and portraits. But, how many people would be interested in workshops about sensual art? I don't mean pornography, I mean something tasteful. And that's where part of the problem is. Where does pornography end and erotic start? We all have our own interpretation of what erotic is, and what pornography is - and it isn't the same for us all. I've been to many life drawing classes, and in a way they're a little staid. The naked body is just a vessel, like a still-life jug or vase. And is certainly not a sexual or even an erotic thing. But I think its much more interesting when its a sensual creation - something that invokes eroticism! I just wonder how much other people think that too?

I was looking forward to having a discussion regarding that and other connected matters with the fragrant Lucy Felthouse last night, my friend the erotic writer, but  because of all the snow and ice we had to cancel it and will re-arrange another get-together for when the roads are more accessible. I was looking forward to seeing her again and having a good chat about all things erotic and creative. As far as business meetings go, its as good as any I know of !!!!

 And they call this work.............................. :)

Happy second birthday blog

I was going to say "Happy second blog birthday", but I've only got one blog, and "happy blog" sounds a bit overly joyful, so its "happy second birthday blog", whatever a happy second is - well, one way or another, you've got the drift - I've been writing my blog for two years now! Yay!!!


And I do love writing the blog, and receiving the feedback I get from it, either on the blog itself or in real life. And I love the friends I've made through it - I'm thinking of one in particular, and he knows who he is, on another continent, but who is very helpful and supportive of my art and what I do. And this week I've had a chat in real life with Fitzy who has been been supportive of my blog and art too - it was good to have a long chat with him and discuss the artwork he wants to commission from me, and I'm looking forward to meeting him at some point in the future, when we can sort out the logistics.


Other than than, I've started to draw out another Queynte, with a view to starting to paint it soon, so that's also exciting - as I'm never quite sure what they're going to turn out like until they're finished, which is odd for me, normally I know exactly what the painting is going to look like, but not with these fantasy fanny abstracts, which makes it more fun, and a bit more difficult for me, but they always seem to look alright in the end, so they work however they're created!


And my good mate Lucy Felthouse sent me a link this week for an article she wrote about her visit to Erotica in November - its here if you'd like to read her article.

So, what do you do when its your blog birthday - bake it a virtual cake and blow out the two candles? Ok....... I'll do that then! :)

You call THIS work?

I had a business meeting the other night, but because it was with erotic writer Lucy Felthouse, it wasn't your normal boring business meeting... Oh No!!!!

We discussed all manner of things naughty and erotic - from her visit to see me at the Erotica show in November, and the way she was treated like a minor celebrity there on a couple of the stands, she admired my latest pastel coloured painting that I'm currently working on in my studio, we talked about the latest erotic book that's caused a furore because well-known writers have written smut, and the literary world is upset by it (heaven knows why, I can paint a landscape or a vase of flowers or an erotic picture, and will make a good job of it regardless of the subject matter, because I can paint! so surely these women who write can write about anything, including erotica? Where's the problem?!!!). We talked about my Fantasy Fannies, and my plans for finding the right place to exhibit them, Lucys writings, the Erotic Guild of Artists, and their latest book that I'm in, we talked about men in dresses, bi-sexual men and lesbians, bi-sexual women and lesbians, gay men and gay sex, gay bars, sex toys, sex writing, men, sex, ideas for stories, blogging, websites and promoting versus advertising. Oh, and sex. And then some more sex.

Sigh. So all in all, a normal night then. For us!!!!!!!! LOL

Whatever turns you on

I've had a few conversations this week with different people, talking about what I do as an Erotic Artist, and a couple of times I've found myself saying "And I look at a naked body I'm drawing in exactly the same way that I look at a vase of flowers or milk jug, and get turned on by them as much as I do looking at a vase of flowers or a milk jug - which is not at all!" (just incase you're thinking I'm some sort of weird woman who has a strange attraction for erotic tea parties with milk jugs!). Twice I've been told this week that I have an interesting life as an Erotic Artist, and I would agree that I have, but drawing naked bodies is "Work" as far as I'm concerned, and nothing else. Having said that if I'm not "working" I can look at a body and find it very attractive, sometimes. I suppose it depends on which part of my brain is working - "work" or "pleasure". I know Lucy Felthouse has been asked the same sort of questions - whether she gets turned on by her erotic stories, and the answer is "No", and I can see why she says that. So is it a draw-back (if you'll excuse the pun!) that the sort of images that turn a lot of people on, leave me cold? Other people look at my images and get turned on, I look at them and admire a certain shade of colour within the picture, or the way a line is drawn.... but then I'm analysing them as work! :)

What DO we find to talk about?

I saw my mate Lucy Felthouse, the erotic writer last night. Isn't it funny how a job description can be seductive? Mmm..... I like having a friend who's an erotic writer, probably as much as some of my friends enjoy introducing me as their friend "the erotic artist" and waiting for the various reactions!!!!

It's a while since Lucy and I have seen each other so it was good to have a girly chat and talk about what we're both up to in the world of erotica. She's as busy as I am with various projects, and we both are very similar in how we tackle work and try to promote ourselves in the hope of finding more work. I know for instance, that neither of us have time to watch television, because she's busy writing, and I'm busy with my art. She asked me how I was getting on with the "Fantasy Fanny" paintings that I started work on six months ago, and I told her I'd had to, very reluctantly, put them on hold whilst I did dog portraits (yes, I know, hardly the same thing, BUT if someone wants a commission, I'll do it, whatever the subject matter!). I can't wait to get back on to working them, they're a really exciting project!

And there were plenty of other things to chat about, whether certain images I'd seen in a book were erotic or not (we seemed to have more or less the same opinions on those!), whether certain practices were deemed erotic or just plain disgusting (and you have to bare in mind that we are BOTH VERY broad-minded on this subject, so I won't go into details of what exactly we both found disgusting!), whether uniforms are erotic (Yep!!!!!!!!) and how we both show attention to detail on our work, so that we can we confident that we're showing the best possible version to the rest of the world. She also made me smile when she said that some people think that everything she writes about has actually happened to her. Wow, lucky girl, if it's true! But, some people just don't seem to grasp the fact that she can create a fantasy and portray it as a story. I wonder why. I presume that people don't make the same assumptions with my paintings. Or do you?

So, all in all, it was a great night and we found loads to talk about, as we always do. And I don't think we mentioned the price of butter once.......

Setting off a chain of events

Last night I spent a very enjoyable time with a diverse gathering of people from different nations. Seated at dinner, my companions were, amongst others, English, Polish, American, Scottish, Danish and Turkish. An eclectic mix, and possibly more enjoyable because of it. And most I had not met before. So, when polite discourse starts over the meal-table people ask the normal questions of well-being, vocations and inter-relationships with others around the table. And you spend time surreptitiously viewing the new acquaintances, taking in physical form, facial expressions, choice of clothing and deciding how appealing their personality is to your own. As they do with you. Its part of the game of getting to know someone. Polite talk ensues whilst you assimilate all these factors. And then they get around to the question..... "And what do you do, Jackie?" and I smile pleasantly and say "I'm an artist". "Oh" they say "Do you paint landscapes?" "No" I smile "Although I can do, I'm an erotic artist" and then I wait for the response. And when its a different ethnic background to your own, you're even more intrigued of the reaction you'll get. And when a woman asks the question and I give my reply, I'm never quite sure what sort of response I'm going to get either, and it will be even more so when its a woman from a different country. The Danish woman who asked it, last night, was very elegant, both in her looks and clothing. Her Turkish male companion, was very quiet, but intently listening to everything said around him. I waited for the response. And it was instantly very favourable, positive and interested to know more! So I talked, and expounded on my subject, passed over a business card which was inspected by them both. I carried on talking and noticed the guy busy doing something in his lap under the damask table cloth. My interest was piqued.... until I was shown that he was looking at my website on his mobile phone. Ah!!! The wonders of technology, over the soup! But at least they could view what I was talking about, and could see what artwork I produce, what subject matter and images are mine. And then, the previously quiet man started talking..... and it turned out we're in the same line of business! He creates erotic images too, albeit moving ones! So we have a lot in common, and the whole experience was quite normal for the pair of us. It just goes to show, more people than you first realise are working with erotica! And what I like about it is that its all quite normal, healthy and accepted amongst like-minded people.


Also at the dinner was a catalyst. It was in human form. And one I've not seen for a year or so. The first time I met him I found him dynamic and one of the most inspiring, funny, delightful and witty men I know. He's also disabled physically and struggles with getting around, but manages to make light-hearted jokes about his problems and always radiates good energies and positive up-beat vibes. I love his openness and being in his company as we talk about so many varied subjects. And the reason I know he's a catalyst? Because it was during a conversation with him over a year ago that started an interesting chain of events for me. Because he put me in touch with Lucy, and through Lucy I updated my website to more erotic art, which led on to me promoting myself more, and I started my blog, which led on to my selling more erotic artwork, and becoming an international artist, which led on to some delightful Americans coming to visit me to see my art, and me talking to the WI about being an erotic artist and being accepted in the Guild of Erotic Artists. All of this happened last year because of one conversation. I know my life would be different now if I had not had that initial conversation. He didn't do anything other than mention the name of someone else who also worked in erotica. I did the rest myself. And worked hard at it. But often its the people we meet in life who change the direction we're going in.

And to finish with another conversation I had over the course of the evening, with no preamble whatsoever a male acquaintance who I've not seen for some months said he thought my painting "Getting acquainted" was quite provocative! I laughed and asked how, when all that was happening was in his head! The image isn't showing anything other than a seated man and a woman kneeling infront of him. The title and your imagination is creating the rest of the image! But the guy I was talking to obviously found it a powerful one! Good. That's what images should be. Powerful enough for him to mention it to the artist who created it. But I possibly might not have painted it if I had not had that initial conversation with the catalyst..........

Pussies Galore

I've got two pussies to paint today - and both so exquisitely .......... DIFFERENT!!! The first is of a fluffy feline moggy, the sort you'd be happy to have purring contentedly on your lap. The second is most definitely not like that at all, although a lot of people might get it purring after they'd been lapping contentedly at it! And of the two paintings, although I shall enjoy doing the first, I shall REALLY enjoy doing the second! I have been thinking for a couple of weeks how I'm going to do the fantasy fanny paintings (and what I'm eventually going to call them, as a collection, too) and I know I want to make them look like contemporary abstracts, with the hint of a naked woman hidden in there somewhere, and lots of bright colours and strong shapes to make the design work. For a design to look good in a painting, it has to work as well in simple black and white, as much as in colour, and doing a thumbnail sketch is the usual way that an artist works out whether a painting will work as a finished composition. So, to this end, I sat down last night with a pencil and a small sheet of paper and I just started drawing in the lines, and then the shading, and it became apparent very early on that the image is going to work well for this painting, there were lots of interesting darks and lights, shapes merging into each other, and textures to play with, before I even think about the colour aspect. So, I'm all raring to go.......... the minute I've done the watercolour of the fluffy mog!

Whilst we're on the subject of pussies, I've got some lovely new images on my website - most of which have appeared here first, but not in as much detail as my website, plus they all look so much better when seen together in a gallery, with the explanatory text. Lots of lovely erotic images to peruse........ I'll be hopefully updating the more vanilla stuff in the next week or so, but the erotic images always take priority! To view them click here: www.jackieadshead.co.uk/gallery/erotic

I saw my friend Lucy Felthouse this week too (are we still on the pussy theme?) and had our usual delightful time together. We talk for hours, laugh a lot, and compare notes on working in the land of Erotica, and although she's a writer and I'm an artist, we are very similar in our approaches to our work, and the people we work with. It was a very productive night, and with Lucy's help I feel I've leapt forward on my ever growing things to do list!

Just whilst I'm updating the week, I have been booked to appear later on in the year with the WI to go and talk to them about being an Erotic Artist (and boy, am I looking forward to THAT night!!!!!!). Whilst in the pub last week, two separate women I know, who are not in the WI, told me that they are coming to hear me talk that night! So, they're expecting to be entertained and have a good laugh, which is great, and I hope I manage to give them both!

Now...... back to pussy paintings....

Hot and steamy with half naked men

Well.... I suppose you could call it work, since that was the purpose of the meeting... but when Lucy Felthouse and I get together to discuss "work" we end up talking about hunky men, sexually assertive women, threesomes, sexy underwear, erotic stories and erotic art! And what a very pleasant and enjoyable way to spend an evening!! But the really good thing is - we inspire each other, with my erotic images and her erotic words. She's gone off with another batch of my most recent images to use in conjunction with her stories and given me a list of ideas she's got for stories not yet written, the ones still swirling around in her head, most of which seem to involve half naked hunky men, with large biceps, a six-pack, strong jawlines, tight firm buttocks, powerful legs, and one idea in particular that's really inspiring me at the moment ..... of a naked hunky man in the shower, soaping himself down, his back half turned, as the warm water trickles over his sun kissed skin........ sigh...... yep, I think I'll be very happy to paint that picture.......

To hide what already is hidden

Further to the last comments regarding drawing hornymaleuk, and considering appropriate poses for the drawing, its struck me that its going to be very challenging to produce an image of him. I have to draw a decent picture - easy enough, I have to make it erotic, reasonably easy enough, I have to make a picture he will he happy with, ok, and one he's happy other people seeing, ok, but also I have to create a picture that is the essence of his alter ego of "hornymaleuk" without the people in his everyday life knowing that its him (should they ever get the chance to see it and recognise instantly who it is!) so I have to hide his face, and probably his body shape, age, hair colour, ears (they're so distinctive for every person!) and maybe hands - I don't know yet. I'll know better when I see him. At this rate I might just end up drawing his shoulder blade - and that's hardly erotic!!!!!!


Lucy Felthouse has recently written a very hot story based on my
"Red shoes" image on Fantasy Nuggets and the model for the drawing has just found out and went a real WOW over it! Especially as she had no idea about it. She loved the fact that her pose had led to my erotic drawing in the first place (her delight on seeing it at the time was wonderful to see), but the fact that the image has since led on to an erotic story has added an extra dimension for her. And the fact that three women - the model, artist, and writer, have this erotic inter-relationship based partly on what was going through the models head at the time of her posing is really interesting creatively.

Humble in the shadow of Greatness

Just back from a wonderfully inspiring trip to see the famous art galleries of Florence. And I feel totally and utterly humbled by the experience. After standing just bare inches away from some of the worlds greatest masterpieces by Boticelli, Bellini, Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Rubens, Raphael, Titan, (the list goes on....) I can see how I should be painting figures and where I fail dismally! And to see paintings by my all time favourite artist - Caravaggio, put me in seventh heaven; he who easily attains all the things I aspire to in a painting - dramatic poses, limited but bright lighting, and utter depth of darkness was bliss!!! And I fell in love, too, with the work of other lesser known artists such as Gherado Delle Notti, Filippino Lippi and Adriaen van der Werff - such detail, and utter brilliance! An awesome experience!

So, I've come back all fired up now after my arty trip and ready to start painting again. I've got loads to do and need to to some artwork done (else Lucy will fall out with me!).

And from the sublime to the ridiculous. The young lad on the checkout in the supermarket today suprised me somewhat by his rather personal and probing questions of whether I was happy, had had a good week and what I had been up to recently, so I started to answer him in slightly annoyed monosyllables until he laughed incrediously when I told him that I couldn't possibly tell him what I had been doing, as I'd be thrown out of the store! So, in an act of devilshness I leant forward, looked him in the eye, and whispered to him that I was an erotic artist and he could imagine the rest...... His jaw dropped in disbelief then a huge ecstatic grin spread across his face as he announced excitedly that I'd really made his day by that comment! And insisted I gave him a high five! I couldn't help but smile at his obvious delight, so that made my day too and I left the store with a big grin on my face!!

My new social life

I've been playing with the blog today and updating various things on it to improve it. I've had a few communications from friends far and wide with good strong responses to the website which is always nice to hear, including one from hornymaleuk who is fascinating me at the moment (not least because of his name) partly because of his connection of writing fantasy nuggets with Lucy, and partly because of his own fascinating blog which makes very interesting reading - not an ounce of vanilla anywhere!

Fun time

Lucy came around tonight for a good long chat and to give me some advice on blogging techniques. I suppose it counts as working, but it certainly didn't feel like it! We get on so well, and can happily spend all night chatting. We both fire each other up with our ideas and creative output (two Leo's together, you see!). I love it when one of my erotic images inspires her to write a story around it, which is what's happened in a couple of her fantasy nuggets recently. Its so wonderfully inspiring to see my drawings as part of a sexy story - as if that is the very reason they were created. And she also gives me ideas for illustrations for some of her other stories which hopefully will enhance them, one of which I was working on just before she arrived. I have decided to re-do the fantasy fairy tale castle image as the version I did on Sunday can be improved dramatically just by using the watercolour paper I normally use - Bockingford - rather than the other brand I was using that just does not work for me the way I like to paint.

Castles in the air

Thats much better! I've just done a non vanilla painting, and one for Lucy too! Hope she likes it. I'm pleased with it anyway, and the basic idea I had for it followed on into the image -a fantasy castle in the air, amid swirling clouds, and two faces, one male, one female, half concealed with their expressions slightly indistinct. Lucy asked for a fairytale castle to illustrate her fairy tales some time ago, but I wasn't exactly sure how I wanted to tackle it until today. Sometimes it takes time for the idea to work through. Its worked well though but I'll leave it overnight and look at it fresh tomorrow, and in daylight, because watercolours always look better in natural light, and see then if it needs any more work doing on it to enhance the colours or add more tone anywhere.

Next Step

Almost done on my new website, just fine tuning really and tidying up the loose ends. Then when its live, I can get back into proper painting.

Last weekend I did a painting of a moody and dramatic seascape in oils, which is still drying in my studio and filling it with the gorgeous aroma of oil paint and turps. Its always an inspiration to paint when that smell is in the nostrils! I'm really pleased with the way the painting went, with the waves crashing up over the partly submerged rocks in the foreground and drenching them in foam and spray, with a dark and menacing sky above, and a dark forbidding sea on the horizon. The whole thing was painted in just three colours - Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna and Titanium White over an acrylic under-painting of Indian Red. The purpose of under-painting it is to give more depth of colour to the finished painting, but also because of the Indian Red colour, its given the painting a subtle pinky glow to it, which adds to the moody blues and browns of the oils, giving it more shades of colour and adding more interest. I'm pleased with the result although it'll take me a while to think of a title for it.

Lucy Felthouse is wanting some more erotic images for her Fantasy Nuggets blogspot, so I want to get on and do those for her. Plus I want to do some sexy images of male couples for my website.