Getting back in the swing

It all seems so sweetly natural...to have the internet back, to be able to blog again, to read and reply to emails. And yet I've waited almost two whole tedious months for this.

Its dragged, and yet, it's gone quickly too. As is the way with the passing of time.....

Only two months left of the year and its been such a massive year for me, the B I G G E S T and most challenging ever. Sorting out my life, saying goodbye to the past and moving on, to the future. A future that may be partly uncertain, but hopefully full of all sorts of interesting mentally and physically stimulating things, and fascinating people and new experiences, too.

It is a future with good friendships from the past, some old, some newer. There is a strength within those friendships that feeds various facets of my persona. Some vanilla, some less so. The Guild of Erotic Artists continues to be a good base for me, and I value the help and support I get from the members. It has been with deep regret that I have been unable to exhibit at Erotica at Olympia this year, partly through constraints of time, partly through my personal circumstances, partly because I need to fully concentrate on doing it and can't at the moment, and partly due to the large financial outlay it involves. But, as in all things, maybe when one door can't be opened, another opens in its place, and I am always happy to peek through other doorways to see where they might lead me.

Infact, I did just that, on Thursday.

It was a new doorway, a big one, one full of promises of exciting things to an Erotic Artist........

...and through that doorway I met someone...... a woman...... a beautiful dark haired woman.....who inspires me to want to paint again. She may even be my next muse. But we need to talk further about that subject, and I don't know if our paths will cross again, but it they do, I shall draw her, with the greatest of pleasure........

Snippets

I had two very enjoyable days over last weekend. But the character of each day differed greatly from the other.

On the Saturday the snippets of conversation were "Oh, that's a good picture, Jackie" ..."This is fun, making these prints, isn't it!"........."I love your use of floral shapes"........."I'm covered in black ink, but I think it'll wash off".....

But, on Sunday, the subject matter was a little, well, different...............

"Of course you have to be careful about having paintings hanging at sex clubs, incase the play gets a bit....boisterous"

"We're swingers, and stayed with other swingers last night"

"I've got a load of body casting gunge in me bits, and I'm going to need a tweezer to get it all out!"

"And these three girls wrestle semi-naked in baby oil, and cover each other in whipped ceam"
To which a male member of the assembled group called out "I'll lick it off!" and his wife agreed "and ME!"

Mmm.... now, which day did I prefer........................???

Pastel skies and sunny atmospheres

One of the thing I love about the art workshops I go on, is meeting old friends. So, I was delighted to bump into two of them on Saturday who've I've not seen for some months, and catch up with their seperate news (yes, the cats still fine, her mother is better now thanks, her husbands got a new job, the daughter is getting divorced, and the painting is going well - is a generall summing up of the two of them!).

The workshop was well attended and the tutor very on the ball so we were kept busy and well informed all day which I much prefer as the day is more structured than if we're just left to get on with it. The lesson was about atmospheric skies in pastel. I don't do pastel much. I CAN do it, and I DO tend to enjoy it when I get into it, but I find that my results can be sometimes surprisingly fabulous, and sometimes strangely disappointing. But, I found on Saturday that that was because of the pastel paper I've been using, and the method of applying the pastel. I've not been using enough, I've found out now - and should put more on the paper and really rub it in to get more of the soft cloud effects that create a powerful stormy sky. Also, the use of a "colour shaper" would be incredibly beneficial I now know. I've seen these strange looking tools before and never been quite sure what to do with them - they have a long handle like a oil painting brush but with a small wedge shaped piece of rubber at the end, which is brilliant for rubbing in pastels and moving the colour about on the paper. Of course, it helps if you know about all the different kinds of paper too, as some are smooth, some have a "tooth" to them, some are like vicious sandpaper, and some like soft velvet, and all of them will affect the pastel  in different ways - either to make the effect more artistically rough or beautifully smooth. We all had the opportunity to sample and buy small squares of the different types of paper and have a "play" (artistic term!) with each to see which we most prefered. I wasn't so keen on the sandpaper stuff, and not at all surprised to find that the tutor didn't have ANY fingerprints on the fingers she used to rub in the pastel!

I was quite pleased with the picture I did on the day - a pink and purple sunset with the sun lighting up some of the clouds. I want to do more work on it though, before its finished, so I won't show it to you here, as its not done yet! I want to bring out the drama of the clouds and the colours a bit more first. And maybe add a tree in silhouette to add some focus to us, unless the clouds are interesting enough on their own....MMm..... I'm not sure yet.........

And on Sunday, I had a different kind of arty day - at the Guild of Erotic Artists event day. It was my first visit there this year as last time it was snowing heavily which curtailed my being able to get there, and the time before that I had a stinking cold so was better nursing it at home. This time all was well with snot and weather, and great to catch up with my friends there again! Lots to talk about, and discuss, and I was delighted that a guy I met from San Francisco at one of the event days last year whilst he was working over in England, had decided to return again. He'd emailed me a few times since we met last year, and I knew he was going to the event day as he'd let me know how keen he was to be drawn by me. He loves my innovative art and we discussed the likelihood of him having time to pose for me whilst he's in England. I'm hoping that I can get some good drawings done of him, if he's able to come and sit for me.

I was also delighted to catch up with two couples there whose company I really enjoy, and also thoroughly enjoyed chatting with them about life, art and people!

Later in the day, I was most amused to hear a couple of the guys say they were far more interested with what was happening outside Beaumont Hall studios than what was happening INSIDE them. You have to bear in mind at this point that inside, there was an attractive brunette girl in a basque draped in provocative poses, with good atmospheric lighting on her, and a number of guys photographing her. Outside, was a radio controlled plane being flown over the open fields. This was FAR more interesting. Apparently. :)

And to add to my amusement........later on....after the model had been photographed in provocative poses on some pretty sheer fabric, the female owner of the fabric remarked "If that's been around her fanny, I hope she's going to wash it after!!" - which made me burst out laughing and reply "You don't get THIS problem at the local flower show, do you!!!!!"    LMAO

Weary but upbeat

Well it was hard work, but it was worth it. Worth spending  eight weeks working and planning for it, worth spending five hours setting it up, worth chasing up the need for lighting (that I had been promised in the first place!) worth standing on my feet for 10 hour days trying to sell, worth my knees, ankles and feet burning with aching, worth the mental and physical tiredness.

It was worth it for the reaction I got for my "Fantasy fannies" banner, and the fannies paintings themselves. And for the tarses paintings. It was worth it for the conversations I had. It was worth it for the commissions I will get from it. It was worth it for the connections I've made. It was worth it for the promotion I've had. For the radio interview I was asked to do. For the praise I got. For the work I'll get out of it. And the sales I made.

It was worth it for the friends I saw there, particularly the ones who had travelled to see me. I've not seen the Erotic writer Lucy Felthouse since the last Erotica and it was really good to catch up with her.

It was worth it to see the outfits of some of the visitors - women in sexy oufits and tight corsets, men with boobs, women with cocks, the human dalmation, the leather, rubber and fetish gear.

It was worth it for seeing old friends made last year, and new ones made this.

It was worth it to see the other artwork, and meet up with the other artists. To see my various friends from the Guild of Erotic Artists.

It was worth it for the conversation I had with the guy who was only there because it was too wet to play golf that afternoon, he had never been to Erotica before and would never go again, and wondered how a "nice girl like you" got into erotic art. So I explained, with a smile, that I'm quite happy to paint dog portraits, landscapes and houses if he wants to commission me. But I get far more feedback from doing erotic art!

And it was worth it for the convesation I had with an attractive couple of my acquaintance who had been invited to a dinner party and were taking a bag full of goodies they'd bought at Erotica, along with them. The bag, on closer inspection contained three pink vibrators and other smaller vibrating devices. It also came with an invite to join them which I had to decline with regret as I was too tired to be sparkling company. But I am intrigued as to how their interesting meal went, and how well the vibrators went down...............so to speak....................... :)

And the sun always shines

It seems to be that the sun always shines at the Erotic Guild of Artists event days and this month was no exception.

The first and most important thing to consider when walking through the door though, after a warm hello to my friends, was a bacon butty cooked to order and a hot cup of tea. The Guild secretary told me that my artwork had been moved to another position in the studios and I had a quick look at it to see how it all appeared. The whole place looks good now though and I’m delighted to be part of the set up there.

After the food and drink had been consumed, it was time to socialise properly – and Bob and Sandra were the first I had a chat with. It was good to catch up with them and to talk about the various paintings that were on show in the centre of the room – one of which was my brightly coloured “Fantasy Fanny” paintings that looked really striking under the spotlights. There were a number of other erotic paintings by other artists there, and for some reason a large painting by Richard of many ducks. It looked somewhat incongruous against the erotic art until I joked that actually someone had commissioned him to paint a lot of “fucks” and he’d mis-heard! And it was actually an orgy!!!!!

It was nearing time to listen to the guild secretaris usual uplifting speech about how the Guild is progressing, when he decided to practice with the microphone, went outside, came back in to the gathered throng and announced “Sarah Jane’s outside being photographed with nothing on, well nearly nothing” and then wondered why the room immediately emptied just as he was ready to speak to everyone. There really wasn’t much contest, I’m sure he understood!!!! We all went outside whilst she posed very seductively in the warm sunshine, dressed (actually!) in a skimpy black pvc dress that clung in all the right places and showed off her sexy body to great effect. She’d got a number of interested photographers at her beck and call who were making the most of capturing her talents within their cameras.

Time to hear Colins speech, and he kindly thanked me for writing the event day reports as well as mentioning various other things of interest including thanking his brother Paul for NOT being there as he was currently over in Germany attending the Venus event! But poor Colin suddenly lost his power of speech when Sarah Jane in the audience infront of him decided to show off more of her charms than he’d currently seen and took great delight in doing so! I hadn’t seen what she had done, and asked her afterwards, and was as amused as everyone else at her rearranging her top for Colins benefit!

Back to more serious matters again, and Ken showed us all the beautiful sculpture he’d made of Nicoles elegant foot taken from the body cast he’d done last month. Unfortunately she wasn’t there to see it, but I’m sure she will be delighted with it when she does.

Time for more chatting and I was pleased to see Terry who I’d not seen for a while, and catch up with him. We talked of erotic art, and I gave my interpretation of it, and said its the most difficult of art to capture as it is fleeting and subtle, and we all have our own definitions of what is erotic, and what is not. I told him about all the different styles of art I do, and how I’d learnt them from attending many workshops over the years to hone my skills. He was fascinated listening to how my art background had developed and we discussed his interest in various things to do with art.

Meanwhile, two new visitors to the Guild – Caroline and Sheila, were happy to pose for photographers in subtle stages of undress, and must have found the experience pleasurable as they are considering joining the Guild soon.

Over in the corner over the course of the afternoon, Richard was quietly painting a beautiful butterfly on the small of Mel’s back. Apparently she is considering a tattoo there and having her body painted in that way gave her a good idea of how the finished tattoo would appear.

It was good to see Chris again and catch up with him. I’d recently met another artist who used to be in the Guild a few years ago, and was considering re-joining, who Chris knew from his connections with him some years ago, so I was delighted to make the connection with him, and add to the net-working that we artists do.

Later on at the end of the day, I was able to have a longer conversation with Richard and always find him a delightfully interesting chap to listen to. We talked of our various collectors, which an artist always aspires to look for, as its lovely when someone wants to fill their house with your work. Richard has more than me and has some fascinating tales to tell of fish, grizzly bears, an assortment of celebrities, and Royalty! He also showed me the many photos of the female bodies he’s painted with various amusing images. But no male bodies – they’re more difficult to do, apparently, because of copious amounts of body hair!

Time to go, a last chat with Silvee, who was pleased to hear her stand and mine at Erotica are close, because it means she can pull faces at me!!!!

Kisses and hugs as goodbyes are said, and then its off into the fading afternoon light with a warm feeling of a happy time spent with nice people.

Dancing into the light

Well...........the de-clogging's worked so far! :)

I had a really nice arty day today attending a local workshop on the subject of dancers and movement in watercolour. A lot of my favourite subjects covered in that one then - people, dancers, watercolour, movement, and it also incorporated "lost and found edges" which is a definite passion of mine. Strange woman, you think to yourself. Why is she passionate about that? Well, I just love the way that the paint hides and finds the edges of the subject matter - particularly with people, and that in turn makes them look like they are IN the picture, not superimposed on top of it, which always looks stilted and awkward to me when I see it in other peoples paintings.

The tutor certainly knew his stuff and was talented, informative, well organised, and got us all working hard on two paintings over the course of the day. You could tell how involved we all were by the complete silence in the room (of about 20 people - mostly women, so incredible really!!! LOL ).

Here are my two paintings, I'm delighted with each of them. They both convey the subject matter beautifully and I really enjoyed doing them. And I really liked it when the tutor who worked his way around the room coming to each pupil in turn to look at how they were progressing got to me and said "You know how to paint!" "Yep!" I smiled back at him.... I do!

And for once, it was me who was surprised when I had a more general chat with the tutor. I'd not met him before, and knew nothing of him. He and I had a good chat over the lunch-break, and I mentioned that I'm an erotic artist and likened dancers to erotic art because of the interaction of the dancers and their movements. He agreed about the sensuality of that. I hadn't shocked him that much (makes a change!). He paused and conversationally said "There's a guild you can join, of erotic artists". "I know" I said "I'm in it!". "Oh!" he replied "I used to be!" and we compared notes on our experiences of it, the use of networking through it, and a joint connection of one guy in it. Small world? Mmm...... probably not. He did say that he might re-join again, and I said that if he goes to an Event Day I'll see him there probably........ that'll be nice, I'd like that!

Socialising with the Erotic Guild

As usual the sun shone brightly on the Guild of Erotic Artists event day, the car park was full, (always a good sign) and a few new faces joined the familiar ones.

There was quite a bit of diverse entertainment for the day - starting with the Jade magazine awards for the top three articles of the year. The next part of the entertainment was a couple of raunchy songs from one of the female Guild members dressed for the part, who then stayed on the stage to have her elegant foot body-cast as part of the days fascinating demonstration. Her foot was angled on a triangular wedge of stone to give it a more appealing shape whilst the body caster explained that the stone would become part of the foot in the finished sculpture to add interest. He explained the procedure as he went along and answered various questions from the audience, although mostly from one source I noted!

During the afternoon, everyone took the chance to be out in the warm sunshine as much as they could and during one conversation with the Guilds official videographer he told me about the 24 minute video he had produced of Erotica at Olympia for the last two years that would be featured in the Guilds next DVD. I was fortunate to get the chance to view it later on, as I am exhibiting again at Erotica in November but this time in the art gallery and wanted to see the layout there to remind myself of the placing of the stands. It was also good to see myself and my "Fantasy Fannies" stand of last year on the video. I discussed with the Guild Secretary where my stand is going to be this year and I picked up a lot of helpful advice and suggestions regarding the show.

It was good to see another particular Erotic Artist again, I've not seen him since last October but I enjoyed the chance to have a chat and hear how his career is going. We discussed the recession and how its affecting us all with lower sales than we'd like.

Towards the end of the day, the Guild Secretary asked me if I'd be happy to write an article about the Guild for "Milk Cow" magazine (featuring the 1940s and 1950s lifestyle) and after a little discussion of the best way of tackling it, was happy to agree. It looks like I've got the job as the Guilds journalist now as well as the the report writer, but that's fine by me and I was delighted to be asked.

It's not possible to talk to everyone as these events but its always nice that even in saying a brief greeting to people that it's done in an affectionate way and that indeed was the case with one of the artists as he gave me his customary warm hug and friendly grin as he passed me as I carried on my conversation with someone else regarding art shows and his experience of them. We talked about doing demonstrations for them and how much the public like them, and how the artist benefits from it.

I only managed a brief hello and goodbye with a couple of the other artists but they were busy chatting to others every time I was hoping for a chat. But these social occasions are like that and hopefully I'll catch them next time.......

Guild Auction day

I've been quiet whilst I'm sorting out things in the background, but now I'm back, and ready to tell you about the Guild of Erotic Artists event day on Sunday.............

Like the last auction there was a lot of diverse artwork on show and the event flowed nicely over the afternoon with plenty of bargains for anyone interested in them. The Guild Secretary was the ever eager auctioneer, ably assisted by the other two founder members who kept passing him the artwork for sale as the afternoon wore on..........

I’d taken a new visitor with me who found the whole set-up at Beaumont Hall quite fascinating, and after we’d had deliciously tasty bacon butties and a mug of sweetened tea on arrival, it was time to chat with friends and I was delighted when Julie and her fella Russ came over to say hello. After that I found Chris to discuss pertinent points about art and finances and as ever he was most helpful, supportive and full of good business advice. The artist Richard was there too with his gently amusing observations on the days proceedings, and although he wasn’t doing any actual body painting today he had photos to show me of his latest session that looked so lifelike as clothing the model went home totally naked but appeared to be discreetly dressed!

I was able to have a brief chat with Ken at the beginning of the proceedings, and we discussed how easy it is for people to come to Beaumont Hall Studios, especially lone women. The first time I went, I was on my own, and found it a little difficult to do, but everyone is friendly and pleasant that it’s easy enough to make new friends if you so wish.

It was good to see Bob and Sandra again, he has been designated “Meeter and Greeter” and I always enjoy his easy personality and banter.

The day brought the chance for new people to buy more art, and some more funds for the Guild but attendance figures were down on those expected.

At the end of the auction, Ken came over to tell me that a couple in the audience were very interested in my “fantasy fanny” painting hanging on the wall and took me over to introduce me to them. It was actually the woman who was most interested, she’d seen it hanging on the wall and had loved the bright and vibrant colours of it. We went over to it as I explained about it being the ideal piece of art – a portrait but not of your face, the ultimate conversation piece and private joke that no one would guess at unless you told them. She loved that idea and smiled delightfully at the thought. We discussed the ideas she had for having her own painting done, or maybe a joint “his and hers” along with her fella, either way I shall be happy to do a painting for her. I love it when people approach me to ask me for a commission and always enjoy discussing the details of it.

As ever it was a good networking day, everyone good natured and friendly, and my visit was made even more special by the fact that Silvee insisted I took home two large bouquets of flowers that she had taken for table decorations. How lovely!

Erotic weekends are good fun

I've had a really good Erotic Artist weekend starting with interesting conversations in the pub on Friday, followed by a portraits in oils workshop on Saturday and the Guild of Erotic Artists Event day on Sunday. Phew!

The workshop went really well, the tutor who was running it certainly knows his stuff and is laid back in his approach, but full of useful tips for learning how to paint portraits. My painting wasn't finished in the time spent, but I was actually happy with it as an "unfinished" piece. The sitter was a fascinating mix of a woman, she was half Irish and half Pakistani, so had gorgeous bone structure and a delightful personality to go with it. She was very spiritual too, so full of life and vitality, looked many years younger than her true age and was a joy to be around and to paint. Plus an old friend I've not seen for a year or so was there too so it was great to catch up with her again.

Then on Sunday it was the Guild of Erotic Artists Event day, and I’ve not been to one for the last two months, due to various logistical reasons, so it was good to go and catch up with everyone there again.

Since it was a glorious sunny day a few people were sitting around outside chatting when I arrived, and I noted the car park was newly laid with hardcore (are you allowed to say that word in relation to the Erotic world?!) and packed with cars.

I was delighted to see one of the guys as I walked towards the Studios, who always greets me warmly with a hug and bright smile. We exchanged pleasantries, before both deciding we were going inside for a refreshing cup of tea.

And what a transformation, from my last visit! The kitchen area has been revamped and is a lot brighter and more welcoming, and still with the welcoming caterer in attendance to cater to our needs. Another hug with her as I placed my order for a cup of tea and bacon buttie!

The Guild Secretary by then had seen me from across the room and came for another hug and warm greeting, closely followed by his brother with a big bear-hug to outmatch even his brothers!

Then a face appeared that I hadn’t seen for a year, so more grins of greeting and as I said hello to my photographer friend. We always seem to find a lot to talk about so it was good to catch up with him and compare notes about promoting our artwork.

He and I were still chatting as another couple appeared – their happy and smiling faces are always very easy to be around, and we all stood together as the entertainments of the day started, but before that the Guild secretary followed by the other founder member had a few words for the assembled throng. It was the seventh anniversary of the Guild being formed, and as usual they had positive and uplifting words for the members, and was delighted to say that a beautiful cake had been donated by members which would be cut later on in the day, although with all the beautiful decorations on it, it was a shame to cut it! There were various photos in icing sugar of different events that were poignant for the Guild over the last few months, and they were featured on the cake.

Then it was time for the entertainment of the day. The first was by a woman who gave us a brief and informed history of Burlesque before showing us an alluring example of the way to remove stockings as two other girls also removed elbow length gloves. I had a chat with the women later and she was most passionate about her love of Burlesque and the way it seems to be very acceptable and appealing to women.

The next was a delightful surprise, as it was a belly dance by a girl who obviously knew what she was doing. Her outfit was black velvet with silver and diamante detail, and as she shook, shimmied and undulated, the light flashed off her beautiful outfit, adding to the lovely feminine movements of her rounded form as she danced to the beat of the Turkish music.

As if that wasn’t enough entertainment, we were also treated to a model starting almost nude, then being wrapped in black, red and pink pvc bondage tape, the opposite of a strip-tease but most interesting all the same and she certainly seemed to be enjoying it and all the attention she was getting!

Whilst all of this was going on, the body painting artist was intently painting a bra on a woman who wasn’t wearing one! She sat in the heat of the lamp, as he patiently painted every detail for her, and from where I was standing, I had a lovely viewpoint through a gap between one of the barn upright supports and the partition wall, which gave it a real erotic voyeuristic effect. When I mentioned it to him afterwards he said he wished he’d known as he’d have asked someone to photograph it. Its always a delight to talk to him, his lovely laid back style and delicious sense of humour always appeals to me.

I did had a long chat and interesting chat with the smiley couple about being comfortable with body image, and the differences between what women are happy with compared to what men like. We also discussed the different types of clothing that we felt happy with.

Then it was time to cut the cake, and we were all handed large wedges of it, to celebrate the occasion. And very delicious it was too! I was able to catch up with another couple then, who are very supportive of the Guild. He showed me a drawing that he was very enamoured with, and I admired it with him, as we talked about buying and selling art, and I told them about my latest commissions that I’ve been working on for some weeks but are almost complete now. Both of them were most interested to know about them as I described designing and painting my first “Fantasy Willie” acrylic painting on a large canvas, and the “living flame” style of painting that I love to use for painting bodies, with the glazing technique of laying one translucent colour over another letting the colour under it shine through the one on top. They said they’d have a look at my website and blog to see the effect I was talking about.

It’s always interesting to hear what other people are doing in their work, and a delight when others are interested in what we are doing in turn. Late in the afternoon, I had a nice easy chat with the videographer, as I had noted him quietly videoing the various entertainments of the day.

Almost time to go, and I’d taken one of my “Fantasy fanny” canvas’s to hang on the wall but wasn’t sure where it was going to fit with all the new hanging that the Guild secretary has done recently, but he said it would fit in easily and was very appreciative of the bright colours in it as he pointed out where it would probably hang.

Time to go, a quick chat smiles and hugs with everyone who was still there, and off into the late afternoon sunshine with a warm feeling of being with my friends again.

So, all in all, a busy but interesting weekend. I'll tell you about the conversation in the pub at a later date................. :)

Reviewing, reflecting and renewal

Well...... it's been a very busy year! Lots of challenges, lots achieved, lots of artwork created, and some very interesting people met through it all.......

This was the year that I finally found my niche in life - as an Erotic Artist, a painter of naked people and their subtle interactions. I've updated my website accordingly, promoted myself more, and started blogging about it. And through blogging I've met some incredibly interesting and diverse people, a couple of them even coming from the USA to meet me! This year I've sold paintings of animals, landscapes, erotic landscapes, and erotica! I've exhibited locally and sold paintings to other countries, hence making me an International Artist. I've joined the Guild of Erotic Artists, which has introduced me to like minded artists and raised my standing in the world of erotic art. I've shocked and enthralled the ladies of the WI with my tales of naked people and my life as an erotic artist. I've been asked to quote for a huge architectural commission which I possibly won't get, and it doesn't bother me if I don't, because my passion is painting the erotic, the inter-relationships and emotional connections between people. It's that, that inspires me. I've been to the interesting and exotic Erotica show in London, to promote myself more as an erotic artist. But best of all of this, I have become an artist, proper. I have the skills, talents, self belief and passion that make me so, and others recognise and acknowledge it also. I've been feted like a minor celebrity (very minor!), met a fascinating spiritual healer, had strangers email me out of the blue and offer their many varied services, had others just contact me to say how much my art or outlook on life has struck a chord with them, been asked to paint an aura, captured on paper the embodiment of a favoured pet, sold artwork on the basis of my surname (and talent, I hasten to add!), sold cards and paintings, contributed to local newspapers and local exhibitions, met a very talented erotic writer, inspired others to start blogging, met fellow bloggers and drawn them, invited other women to participate in very intimate and graphic portraits, been invited to sell my artwork as bespoke wall coverings, and had many strange and exciting conversations with all types of people. A good year then.

But what of the new year.......?. Before its even started, there's a lot to do already. Firstly I have an erotic landscape to paint. This one is going to be an interesting challenge and I shall enjoy doing it immensely. I also want to get back to the Fantasy Fanny collection of paintings, the idea of which excites and exhilarates me. I've had to put it on hold for the sake of the Christmas commissions, and can't wait to get started properly on this most exciting of female art projects. And as well as this, I want to get more involved with the Guild of Erotic Artists, meeting more of my fellow artists and exhibiting with them in new and varied locations. I have also been asked to illustrate the book my new spiritual healer friend has written, which will be the exciting multi-faceted and mystical sort of artwork I love doing. I also want to spend the new year concentrating on promoting the bespoke wall coverings of my artwork which I think will be another exciting outlet for my art. And then, maybe, I can get on to the other ideas I have for paintings and drawings, the half formed notions and visions that will make excellent paintings, when I get the chance to get paint to paper, oils to canvas, pencil to card............

And as an image for the end of the year, and beginning of the new year, I'll put up this unicorn. I used it as my Christmas card this year, (well, I could hardly use an erotic image for it, could I?!!) I'm very happy with it as an image of reflection on the old year and hopes and dreams of the new.................

Pleasing yourself

I did another drawing last night based on the pose I used last week, but I was far happier with the result this time. Instead of drawing the model from behind her head, I drew her from the side and was happy with the pose I had set her in and was just about to commence drawing when she commented that the spot-light was in her eye too much, and she momentarily put her forearm over her face to shield her eyes - and I exclaimed "That's it! a loads better pose, stay there, just like that!" so that's how I drew her, eyes hidden, and much prefer the outcome of it! The drawing is a nice body landscape showing feminine curves and plains, and is called "Pleasing yourself" which leaves no doubt at all as to what she's doing, unlike last week when I couldn't make my mind up if the drawing was fully erotic or not (and that's not usually a problem for me, I normally exactly know what's erotic!!). The model was happy with the pose and said she could quite happily go to sleep in this pose, so I agreed and said I'd find her some nice quiet music to listen to then. She was surprised as I normally like something with some *raunch* in it then burst out laffing when I put on AC/DC at full blast!!!!! We don't do quiet when I'm drawing!!!!

..............And I want to say at this point that I feel I have finally arrived as an artist. Sorry, I'll rephrase that - as an Artist. I love it when someone introduces me as "Jackie, the artist" - that use of the word "the" says so much!!! But I know I've worked very hard this year on my art, on promoting me and my artwork. I've built up my website, and started this blog, I've met some very interesting people both in real life and through my virtual internet life. I've talked locally to the WI and had in-depth conversations with people from different continents, I've sold artwork locally and to the USA, and joined the Guild of Erotic Artists which I know is going to open many other doors for me, through my connections with it and other artists. And during one of my recent conversations with a well established erotic artist, he said that people buy artwork for three reasons, and they are:- because you're an established name, and people buy your art as an investment; because they just like the painting; and because the artwork is decorative, but that's all it is. And I know I'm a long way past being "just decorative" and for some years now I've been painting and selling artwork because people have an empathy with a particular drawing or painting, but....... now.............. I feel I've arrived as an "Artist" - I'm just starting to become an established name. And how do I know this? Because I've sold quite a bit of artwork in the last few weeks, locally and abroad, and at no point has anyone quibbled over the price I've set. They tell me what they want, and if its a commission I explain how it will look, we discuss size and medium, whose framing it and any other pertinent details and then I give a price and they nod and pay me. Maybe they think they're getting a bargain and are relieved I wasn't as expensive as they first thought, maybe they just think it's a fair price. I know I'm not expensive as an artist, but neither am I cheap. But I also know I can paint things that many other artists can't. So I have a unique talent. I know my prices will rise as I get more established - its the way with the arts, whether you're a musician, writer, actor or artist. And, hopefully, my buyers will have an investment for the future........ I'm working on it, anyway!

Show time!!

I had a nice day out yesterday. I went to London. Its years since I was last there and good to see the old familiar places - as well as some new ones. St. Pancras in particular is stunning!!! - what a wonderful piece of architecture, full of light and vision, colour and beauty. I loved it!! It was worth the trip just to be there!


And nice to go to London and be around the sort of people I feel right at home with.......... the sort who are happy to be dressed up in a pretty dress, high heels and make-up - and that's just the men! The sort who are happy to be dressed in leather and lace, rubber fetish gear, towering heels, to be lead around on a collar and chain, to be dressed as Victorian ladies in black hobble skirts with feathered fans and tiny pretty top hats adorned in a veil and pushed to a jaunty angle on their head, to be dressed head to foot in dominant masculine black leather, or a tight prettily coloured feminine corset tightly pulled in to reveal the womanly flesh in all its deliciously delightful decadent glory, to be dressed as a dark angel complete with feathered wings, to be dressed in just a bikini and high heels, to be dressed in military uniform, to be dressed or undressed in exactly the way you want to be, with no one batting an eyelid!!! Great stuff!! And the location of this wondrous place? It was Olympia. And the reason? It was the "Erotica 2007" event.

Its been a couple of years since I was last there, and as before, it's a great day out. Playtime and adult fun for free thinking grown ups!! Whatever you're in to - it was there. Whatever you like dressing up in, whatever new toy you want, whatever hedonistic lifestyle you're into, it was there. And also what was there, was one of my main reasons for going - as, as far as I was concerned, it was a work day. I was there to meet my fellow members of the Guild of Erotic Artists who have regularly exhibited there and some of the artist members also have their own stands selling erotic art to the discerning public. So, a good chance for me to meet some new colleagues and say hi to them, introduce myself and make my presence known. And what a friendly welcome I got from all of them, even though I met them all individually - seven members, seven friendly faces, seven conversations about erotic art, marketing and selling art, trade fairs, exhibiting erotic art, trying to make a living as an erotic artist, seven conversations showing interest in each other as artists, and as people. I was told by the majority that its one big happy family, where we support one another, we have the backing of the others to use as a power against other organisations to help us to get better facilities and promotion for our work, we help and assist, and where one person may not know the answer to a question, they will know of someone else who will! What a positive and upbeat reception I got! And feel like I've made some new friends already with them - and am looking forward to meeting them all again when I can next get to see them.

And my purchases for the day? ..................... Well, I found some gorgeous erotic art books, full of life and passion and inspiration for erotic art, and some back copies of "Jade" magazine, full of gorgeous black and white photos of glamorous models in suggestive poses, and I also bought............... well, I'll let you guess what else I bought.....................