My first foray, as seen in Gallery One, was certainly interesting! I saw it as an experiment, trying numerous different approaches to see how they all felt and where they would lead me. I found that if I thought about too much, something would be lost. But, when I when a little more into the subconscious, certain imagery would start to appear, and I saw those things as hints... directions on where I might want to explore more.

I did get a number of comments about 'tentacle porn', which made me think a little. From a little research, one discovers that tentacle porn came about because of the legal issues of depicting a penis in Japanese animation, so the alien tentacles are a way of getting around it. However, I don't need to censor myself here, that's the luxury and whole point of this site for me. So, it changes the meaning for me, and my choice to use tentacles either way becomes for a different reason.

Another issue that comes with using the snake like tentacles is that it also suggests a bestiality like activity, which doesn't appeal to me. I have a keen interest in snakes, octopi and other exotic animals, but now I question whether I want to integtrate them into imagery of this nature. Learning these things about myself and my art is what this project is all about, so it is already paying off.

With all of this in mind, I've continued to make more paintings, when I can.....

With the above in mind, knowing that I wasn't bound to any regulations, I decided to exercise that freedom and see how it felt. I can't honestly remember depicting a penis 'full on' like this before. Sure, I've drawn them in life drawing classes, but not to this level of detail. As I painted this, I mused at how ridiculous how taboo these are to show... it's not like half of the earth's population doesn't have one. Well, to look on the bright side, them being so taboo makes them more powerful an image. I have to wonder... if nudity in general were to be as common as fully clothed people, it would lose a lot of the power that makes it so exciting.

One thing that I have found increasingly attractive is imagery of people that seem very free and liberated. When they're secure with who they are and how they look (or just don't care), while living in the moment and fully investing themselves in the experience, well, that's very appealing to me. But, how does one express that in an image? Well, I think a facial expression is a starter, one that is not of shame (or anything but bliss). I feel exterior scenes, especially natural settings, also help convey that sense of freedom. In this one, even the rain adds to the sense of uninhibitedness... often people run back inside when it is raining because they're worried about getting their clothes or hair wet.

Once again we have a tentacle like interaction, but this time they are roots and branches, again reinforcing the union and embrace with nature. Clearly she's consenting and willing to be a part of this experience.