Canadian Artist Julia Trops in Kelowna BC Canada

http://www.okanaganeroticartshow.com/2010/03/typesofwork/

New Blog Post: Let’s dispell some rumours….http://www.okanaganeroticartshow.com/2010/03/rumours/

Going right for the jugular… there will be no prostitutes, no strippers, no Sex Trade activities, nothing like that whatsoever. Anyone who is spreading these rumours is a bit overboard in their imagination. Gosh, I hope they enter the show, I am sure their artwork would be amazing with this sort of activity going on “upstairs”. LOL! Got questions? Talk to ME! I am happy to discuss this.

I spoke to Natasha today, and the show booths are filling up very quickly. This really will be quite the event, with companies such as Level Night Club, Health Effects, Bath Fitters, Positive Living, and various belly dancers, yoga instructors, cosmetics and jewelry artists involved. Natasha is looking for a Tantra practioner, someone who has connections with Egyptian cotton or luxury sheets, and one of the models from Livessence, Donnalee will be performing Belly Dance and Poi! Passion Parties promise to make an appearance (how’s that for a fun alliteration) and one tattoo artist I know of, Rob Forest from Genesis Designs, is thinking about participating. I understand Aradia Fitness will have a booth and may even do a presentation. Check out their website it is very cool, and one of the most trendy sensual tools being learned by women (and men!) Another thing that I am really looking forward to is Wise Women’s Cookery, I think they are from Vancouver, who will be present to teach sensual cooking. You know who I hope shows up? Therapy Winery – Freud should definitely make an appearance! I will have a two hour drawing session going each day with a semi-draped model so if you are interested in participating in this, send me a note. I have room for only 10 people.

So you see? It’s going to be a fullsome show. Last I heard tickets will be $15, and I know that this is one show you absolutely won’t want to miss, whether you come in the Art Show, or not. If you are interested in entering the art show, and still have some concerns, please contact me, or else post a note below. If you are interested in being a presenter at the Xtream Fantasy Sex Show, then contact Natasha Lacourse at xtreamevents@shaw.ca or 403-547-5005. Deadline for artists is March 30th….

Talk to you soon!

Every year, the Erotic Art Show has been in a different location. The original goal is that every year it would travel from the North to the South Okanagan. The first year was at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, a public venue, and the second year was a commercial gallery, A Woodside Design Gallery. This year, the Erotic Show is taking place as a separate art show, a nugget, within the Xtream Fantasy Sex Show. The Xtream Fantasy Sex Show is being put on by an events organizer from Calgary, Natasha Lacourse, and she has been planning this event since 2009. In 2011, she plans on taking this event, the Xtream Fantasy Sex Show, on the road throughout BC. She tells me the Xtream Fantasy Sex Show is the first of its kind in the interior of BC.

Is it all about sex?

The word “Sex” in the title of an event brings to mind the idea of lubes, and toys, and strippers and all that sort of stuff – but whether you wear lingerie, use sex toys, have or have not learned to pole dance, the word “Sex” does not necessarily imply “pornographic”.

The word “sex” is a big seller. It gets people’s attention, and brings them either on one side of “oh, I can hardly wait to go” or “no way, not going near it!” Either way, it gets talked about and that is good. All publicity is good publicity.

So let’s start out by saying that my understanding of this Xtream Fantasy Sex Show is that it is all about the wholistic view of the human sexual being. This sexual being includes the mind, the soul, and yes, indeed, the body. All women, and some men, know that to get to the actual sexual act requires a whole lot of jumping through hoops, otherwise known as foreplay. The word foreplay has the word “fore” in it for a reason – and it has “play” because that’s what it is. First, is the play, and in this play there are sensual things like perfume, visuals like lingerie, costumes, and activities like dance: pole, poi or belly – it all gets the juices flowing. There is an intimacy created with all this, depending on where your mind is at and how far along you are in terms of emotional growth – speaking of these two things, any woman will tell you that unless her mind is turned on first, there is no chance of any other adventures. For a man, well, they are more easygoing. Let’s just leave it at that.

Sensuality

Sensuality means of the senses – sound, sight, taste, touch, or hearing. Let’s look at one aspect of our sensuality, dance. If you look at any ancient culture, much of the dancing in the culture is a sexual or sensual nature. It is either celebrating the planting, celebrating the harvest, celebrating the coming of age, celebrating the marriage. Dances are expression of unions or hopeful unions of some kind, whether of man or of mother nature. Clothing is a very sensual item – it satisfies the sight, touch and sometimes sound. Clothing such as lingerie, costumes all of these are also of a sensual nature – we ARE sensual beings, sensual in all aspects of the word. Every single thing that we participate in has a sensual aspect – fabric, makeup, all of it! This Xtream Fantasy Sex Show is a show that will celebrate our sensual being.

What does this have to do with the Erotic Show?

Now what does that have to do with the Okanagan Erotic Art Show? Simply this. The first year we held the Erotic Show at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in 2008, we had the opening night in conjunction with the Wearable Art Gala at the Alternator Gallery. When I saw the interest and the attendance at our show, the first of its kind in a public forum, I had been looking for another venue that would give this same sort of attention and participation. The people who attended the WAG were open minded, interested in something a little different. When Natasha talked to me last year about her show, I waited to see how it would happen, and as time went on, she explained what her vision of the Xtream Fantasy Sex Show was, then I knew this was what I was waiting for.

You may decide not to participate, and that is fine, do what is comfortable for you. If you aren’t comfortable and still would like to participate, then I say Bravo to you! It is in going beyond our comfort zone that we grow into stronger human beings, more knowledgeable about ourselves and our boundaries extended. If you are worried about putting the Xtream Fantasy Sex Show on your resume, then I can reassure you that the entry would be the Okanagan Erotic Art Show, as we are a completely separate entity.

I took a risk

This year, I took a risk for this show, working to expand the Okanagan Erotic Art Show beyond just another figurative art show. I took a risk hoping that the other artists in the Okanagan communities would also be brave enough to push themselves too. Because the Xtream Fantasy Sex Show will promote self image, health and fitness for the mind, body and spirit, fashion, relaxation and education, all aspects our our sensual being, I have decided the them of this year’s Okanagan Erotic Art Show is “Seduce Me”. The art of seduction is never lost, and anyone from any age can find it once again. Deadline for submissions is March 30th. I hope to see you there, whether as an artist in the show, or an attendee.

I welcome any and all comments or questions.

RT @learntoart Gesture Drawing http://hkmrh.th8.us Nice article Miranda. I respect #artists who respect gesture #drawing #art #kelowna

One thing that I have always prided myself about my group is that we treat our models like gold. It is very disturbing to me when I find out that some artists have been unkind or disrespected one (or more) of my models. Yes, I confess, I still think of these people as “my” models, and I am very protective of them.

I think it is because when I was in University I remember some of the comments made to the models by other students that horrified me, comments made to me by my models when they worked at other places about how they were treated. I could see how these things affected them, and I don’t accept when it happens to others. MOST ESPECIALLY when these are people who have graciously consented to be a model for our benefit. Yes, they are paid, however, just because they are paid does not give ANY ONE license to be rude or unkind or ungrateful.

Now what exactly do I consider rude or unkind or ungrateful? I am going to be very blunt:

Comments that have to do with a person’s appearance – how they did their hair, how old (or young) they are, what their body type is, how thin or not, physical challenges. THESE things you keep to yourself, and keep your mouth SHUT – how would you like it if they were said to YOU?  If you don’t like what poses they go in to – then the NEXT pose, ask them for something specific. For THAT pose, deal with it, you’re an adult, aren’t you? Our models have been trained, either by me, or someone else, to ask the artists if they are working on something specific, and if you say nothing, then that means you will go with the flow. So go with the flow!

When a model is going in to position, unkind remarks, impatient remarks, or inconsiderate remarks are not appreciated. Remember that modeling is definitely not easy. Models can not read your mind, they can not see what it is that you want, and remember most especially that the body will only bend certain ways. Remember that not all models take pilates or yoga and no one is Gumby. If you become impatient with any model, or make any unkind remarks, I am sure I can arrange for YOU to be the model that day. Imagine THAT for a second.

If it is a regular session (ie poses 20 minutes) and you came prepared for one or two hour long poses (ie you brought one canvas) quite frankly that is YOUR problem, not the models, so don’t complain to them, or to anyone else. If you have been attending these classes for some time, then you should know what the routine is, you know where the calendar can be found (and if you don’t, it is here.). Don’t expect everyone else to bend to your agenda. Come prepared next time.

If a model needs to do stretches (most do), and you don’t like to do gestures, then don’t come for that period, or learn what gestures are really about and make them work for you! Gestures and short poses are a way for the model to enter in to their modeling “space” or “mindset”. Honour that! If you don’t like the pose, then find a creative positive way to deal with this challenge, make it work for you! Muttering under your breath, or chatting up your neighbour is not the thing to do.

All I can tell you is that rude or ungrateful comments are very hurtful to any models. Remember they are few and far between, and we are extremely LUCKY to have the people we do. I do not enjoy writing posts like this however it is necessary, and maybe someone will benefit from the description of drawing class etiquette.

So what is drawing session etiquette? Well, what follows is a fairly general list, but one that seems to work very well for Livessence:

1. You come to class about ten minutes before and get set up so that when drawing session starts, you are ready to go. This is for your benefit, not anyone else’s.
2. During the set up time, see if you can make contact with the model and tell them of any projects you are working on, to see if they can give you the specific poses you are looking for.
3. During the session, the model will usually ask if there is anything specific the artists would like to see – use this time to communicate to the model (if you haven’t already) about your requested pose(s).
4. Talking or not talking is up to the people who are there. If the majority are not talking, then consider keeping your chatter to a minimum.
5. Bring an ipod or other music device with earplugs. Please try not to sing, or dance.
6. Bring all your own materials and do not mootch.
7. During break, feel free to talk to other participants, ask about their methods, consider trading materials if it comes up.
8. Be respectful of break times.
9. Keep personal comments to a model to a minimum or not at all. Consider viewing the model as a member of royalty far above you, and you should be grateful and feel lucky to draw them.

I don’t think there is ever a problem in erring on the side of politeness and respect, in any sort of dealings. Be polite. Be kind. Just because you are the artist, you are not above the model, they are not your servant. Remember, the model ALLOWS you to draw them.

I welcome comments of any kind.