Thoughts on Nudity in Art

Ever since I was introduced to the show 'Face Off" I have been hooked. It's exactly the work I want to do. The episode I most recently watched challenged the make-up artist to a body painting competition. I thought the whole thing was incredible. Now, I would be a fan of my model wearing a speedo or something. But, I get why there models were completely nude. Donald Miller a contemporary Christian writer who I am a fan of talks about our issue with nudity. Nudity makes us uncomfortable, heck, it makes me more uncomfortable then most. We associate nudity with sex and typically shame follows. But think about it. In the beginning when it was just Adam and Eve walking with Jesus in the garden they were naked. As soon as Eve ate of the fruit and they sinned they were made of there nakedness and hid. They felt shame. They covered themselves.

The world is fallen now. There is no perfection. We are a sinful and broken people. We wear clothes now. As an artist I ask myself will my art cause others to stumble? And lets be honest, its the men that I am worried about. I desire to work in an industry with the all to familiar mantra, 'Sex sells'. Coming from an educational background that dictates women are victims. We as women point our well polished fingers to Advertising Corporations, Fashion, Movies and T.V. I am not dismissing women as not being victims here. I am just saying we need to take some responsibility. The Editors of the fashion magazines that women are buying are predominantly women. The models are mostly women. There are many fashion photographers that are women. Women play a major contributing role in fashion as designers. Women are at fault as well. No one is holding a gun to the women modeling lingerie for Victoria Secret. I'm pretty sure the model posing on the cover of the Swimsuit Edition of Sports Illustrated considers posing in her bikini to be pivotal pillar in her career. I am saying what about the men? The numbers are staggering. 70% of men ages 18-34 admit to be addicted to internet pornography (http://www.safefamilies.org/sfStats.php). The numbers are probably even higher. Men seem to be victims as well from Advertising, Fashion, Television, Film and Social Media. Don't you think?

Here is my dilemma. I am a woman of Christ first and foremost. Secondly, I am an artist. My work should bring glory to His Name not my own. So here is my question, what is okay and what isn't? I see a nude body and I see canvas space. If I had the opportunity to be in a body painting competition I would do it in a heart beat. But I am given a moments pause now. Is that causing my brothers to stumble. We are to be in this world, not of it. I would love to hear some thoughts on this. This has been a problem for Christian artist for as long as I can remember. Not just the make-up art world but the fine art world as well when faced with drawing nude models. Thoughts?

Alice Wonderland Series

Alice in Wonderland Series. I was inspired by bold graphic black and white patterns. One of my most favorite pieces in existence is the photo on the right of Ashlee Clouse. The photo on the left is of myself (its what happens when I get the urge to paint and a model isn't around). Both of these were pre-having my airbrush. I sponged the white base coat. I love the eeriness they both posses and how Clouse has a tribal feel meets Tim Burton film.

Fly Away

I love this hymn remade by JJ Heller. "Stars call me closer, the earth is dragging me down. I want to be more than hungry. I want to live somewhere other than this old gray town. I want to fly away far beyond my cage. Where I hear freedom singing. You are telling me again there's no door to keep me in. I hear freedom singing. I want to fly away. Far beyond my cage where I hear freedom singing." I really just love this song. My soul resonates with this song. I am really into this idea of being caged versus this idea of being free. With that comes my inspiration of birds. I especially love the color pallet the bring and variety.

I had the opportunity to play with this idea a little bit on a model I worked with last week, Marjorie. I played with detailing which I believe turned out really beautiful. I learned a lot especially when it comes to how important properly lighting the eyes really is. I went to dark around the eyes and then tried to compensate but it was too late. For me the best part was the feather detail on the neck. She was perfect for this shoot! I can't wait to play with this idea again!

Redefining Beauty

The first word that comes to my mind when I hear the word, "Beautiful" is blonde. Skinny is second. Big bust is third. I'm sure males would order my list a little differently. However my point is that most everyone would list about the same thing. Beauty is not something left open to interpretation. Our society has defined what beauty is. We like to place blame on advertisers, the fashion industry and popular music for this boxed in definition on what is beautiful. We are so ready to point the finger and accuse others when we should be looking inward on ourselves. Who buys those albums? Who buys those magazines, etc.

The idea of "beauty" moreover what that definition should encompass has been something I have been particularly intrigued by for as long as I can remember. As an artist I have began exploring this idea. I did so with my model Katelyn who strangely enough is traditionally beautiful. I liked contrasting her beauty with this deconstructed, broken down and almost eerie beauty. It is still my most favorite piece up to date. I love everything about it- well almost. If I could do anything over again it would be the detailing on the forehead. I am going to blame my paintbrush on that one I just needed a better brush. It's so crazy to me how important having good brushes can be. Katelyn is wonderful. I love how her camera connects with the camera. It's almost as though the viewer is peering into her soul, a rare fleeting moment captured. I especially love the vulnerability that is present as well.

Klimt's the Kiss- Inspiration

One of my all time favorite paintings is Gustav Klimt's The Kiss. I love how emotion and passion radiate from the painting. This painting has become iconic in the Art World.

Currently, I am working on a series that re-interprets famous master works through make-up. I decided to try my hand at this one.

I wish I could say it went amazing but it really didn't. I am definitely new to the game. And right now it's up to me not only to do the make-up but to do wardrobe, pose my models and photograph my work- which I really have no business doing. I think the biggest problem is the fact I completely overlooked wardrobe. This painting is more than just about the face. I am running into the dilemma of- I want to go beyond painting the face. This may seem silly to a lot of people but there is the question of modesty for me. I wanted to do the shoulders, the chest...almost everywhere. This really doesn't work on models who aren't really models. So, I stuck with the head, neck and shoulders. If anything it was a GREAT learning experience. My model, Clouse is absolutely fantastic to work with! Not only that but she has this beauty that translates incredibly well on camera.

As far as the face is concerned, it's flawless. I think the airbrushing turned out really amazing. Overall, I am pretty happy with it.

Inspiration

I have been painting like crazy lately. I got my first airbrush machine last month and haven't been able to put it down. It's amazing! Before I get to ahead of myself some of you might need some background information on what exactly it is I am talking about. Since high school I have been madly in love with creating things. It all started in my first Art class freshman year. Which, I was required to take in order to graduate. Turned out I possessed a little bit of talent, not much, but what I lacked in raw talent I made up in pure determination. I worked hard until I became a top dog. This continued in college as I majored in art. Painting was who I was. I went through serious artist block and bounced around from major. In the midst of this I began face-painting as a way to bring in a little bit of extra money and fell in love. It became my art. Now, before you dismiss me as tacky, don't I'm different than any other 'face-painter' you will ever encounter. My love for face painting is now translating into a career in make-up artistry. I am developing a portfolio in hopes to go to a top make-up artistry school. I hope to do make-up for fashion, film and movies. I really want to do it all. This blog is so I may exhibit my work and give some explanation of that particular creative process as well explain the inspiration behind it.