Neurotica

[the_gneech]

As I branch out as an artist, it is going to have to be sooner or later that I deal with this topic, and so I might as well start putting some thought into it now:

What about erotica?

I have already had requests for erotic art done of various characters from SJ, which I've refused as a matter of policy. I'm not against erotica; in fact, some of my favorite artists are known largely for the erotic nature of their work. However, Suburban Jungle isn't the place for such things ... because the moment you let it in, suddenly it takes over.

But what about on rumblepurrlion.com? Should I open up the can of worms there, figuratively speaking? What happens when I post ten non-erotic pictures and one naughty one ... does the naughty one get lots of pageviews and the rest get ignored? And how would I feel about that if it happened? I've heard reports from other furry artists that their non-yiffy artwork sits on the shelf unbought, while their yiffy stuff sells like hotcakes.

There is also the matter of privacy. Drawing erotic art is something like letting the outside world into some of your most private thoughts ... do I really want to show everyone what goes on in the Adult Movie Theater of my mind? The Vanity Fair/MTV crowd already assume that furry is about sex* ... do I want to give these bozos something else to point and snigger at?

Like I say, I enjoy erotic art and I'd probably enjoy creating some ... but I don't want it to take over. I don't want to end up like a fur I encountered who felt trapped into doing erotica because it paid and nothing else did. I'd like it to be just one of many topics addressed in my work.

-The Gneech

*Furry isn't about any one thing, unless you want to say it's about life. The fact that sex is a big part of life shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone ... so the fact that sex is a big part of furry, only makes sense. But other fandoms have just as much strange stuff going on ... I have it on good authority that there are some very prurient interests among the Transformers fandom, for instance. ;)

Comments

[blacktigr.livejournal.com]

What about erotica?

You make some interesting points about how "once you let it in, it takes over". I can't comment from an art point of view, because I haven't done that experiment yet, but I *can* comment from an online point of view.

I had `net acquaintances who knew me for several years before I posted anything pictorial. They accepted me for who I am, personality-wise, and I became comfortable with that, so one day, I sent out some photos. Certain of my friends of several years turned into slavering fanboys, who ceased to speak to me intelligently and wanted more pictures. I was somewhat offended.

If I gave this photo to GrimMalady from the SJ board, who has already expressed a preference for "cat girls", it might change the way he treats me.

http://www.geocities.com/blacktigr_me/couch_kitty.html?1010171956520

I don't want to have that be the only way people "see" me, so I don't put that on my page.

To try to translate that into something that applies to the topic...I have chosen a non-erotic route. Sure, I probably don't get the amount of attention I *could* garner, but at least I am sure that those who like me, it is for me, and not some genetic accident.

If you think that it is likely you could wind up doing artwork you don't want to do because of an experiment that you did, then maybe you should keep the erotic stuff to yourself.

I don't think you should worry about shocking people with your more adult artwork. People take a lot to be shocked these days. It is up to you to decide whether you think people would laugh at what you think is sexy.

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

I'm actually quite astounded at the slavering fanboyness of many people I've encountered ... some of whom I can't even speak to any more because the conversation always, always, always has the same topic. When you reach the point where people stop relating to you as a person, and instead just think of you as the source of their artwork / photos / whatever, it suddenly changes from being wonderful and flattering, to being usury and demeaning. There are people out there for whom _I_ don't matter, I'm just a vehicle for their furry fix. And that does bug me.

Mind you, those people are very few and far between. :)

to erotica or not erotica

[mammallamadevil.livejournal.com]

as with any genre, there are varying degrees to which you can dabble in it. I would probably stick to something like the pen and pencil drawing you did of Tiffany and leave it at that. Anything else I'd keep private. Push the envelope a bit, but don't go into something that will, I believe, would provide a sort of "typecasting" or "labeling" that is, as you describe, not your ultimate goal. Jest call me a Puritan...(grin)

[blacktigr.livejournal.com]

Not me, hon. The artwork is good stuff, but you are still a person with thoughts/ideas/personality that doesn't necessarily have to directly relate to either your sketchbook or the strips. That's why when I intro'ed you on my journal, I added in what I thought of you as a person. I totally respect your ability to create, but I also like you. ;)

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

Aww! :) Thanks!

Re: to erotica or not erotica

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

Okay, you're a puritan. ;3 But you've got a good point nonetheless!