The Betty Pages sprung out of some conversations Betty Desire a local drag queen and I were having in a gay bar. These editorials may be out of context now and were written for a local audience in the Bellingham area. but I am sure readers everywhere can make some sense of parts of them.

Buying Art is Like Voting, and Buying Erotic Art is Like Voting Twice

March 2005

The title quote here was said by the auctioneer at last years Seattle Erotic Art Festival. It struck me then, as a way to get money out of folks pockets as she tried to get higher bids for pieces up for auction. But recently as I work harder at selling my own work I keep hearing her words. If you really want beauty in the world, buying art is like voting for beauty. And if you really want healthy expressions of sexuality buying erotic art is like voting for beauty and sexuality. In the end game artists rely on people buying their art to survive and produce more beauty. And erotic artists have the toughest time selling their work. So when you buy erotic art your vote for what types of beauty are in existence is heard louder than ever.

I myself get lots of folks who like my art. They oooh and ah, stroke their beards, use lots of 10 dollar words and tell me how great I am. Do not get me wrong my ego loves it. But when I get to the close and ask for a credit card or a check, the usual hang up is not cost, or taste but "where will I hang it?". A partner brings up that inevitable visit from mother or some other disapproving source. A vision of an uncomfortable conversation ensues and the sale is off. Once again I'm a starving artist. Appreciated and awarded, but still starving.

I have toyed with designing a frame that is reversible and selling a large poster of a puppy along with my prints. A simple flip on the wall and your living room is once again G rated.

But really this is not authentic to why I produce this type of art. I produce my art because I want it to be seen. I want it to have an effect on the world. I produce erotic art because thats the part of peoples world I want to influence. I want them to think about things that make them excited. I want to push them off the dime and make them play and experience their sexuality. To think about and understand ways of expressing sexuality that may not be their own. If my work is facing the wall it can not do that.

Buying erotic art is like voting because it's your way of saying I want this discussion to be in people heads. Hanging it on your walls makes people think about sex. That may make them uncomfortable, but it also may make them happier in the long run. Remember discomfort is always a sign of growth. Even if it may not be easy in the beginning. So go ahead and help people grow.

Another question asked when deciding to hang some art you like is "what will 'they' think of me"? Its quite often asked inside someone's head when thinking over one of my pieces. My answer has changed over the years to, why let them think something thats a lie by not hanging it. You like it. Period. If they approve of a you that hides or lies about you liking it their approval means nothing. It is empty hollow and meaningless. If you let them get to know the you that likes this piece of art you give them a chance to approve of the real you. It may be they really will like you but either way you will not be settling for false approval.

Once again I appreciate all the people who love my work. Every artists does. But if you really want us to exist in the world, vote with your wallet. Buy it and hang it, art is meant to be shown.

If you want to see my art and a whole mess of other erotic stuff go to the Seattle Erotic Art Festival April 15th and 16th. It is located at Consolidated Works 500 Boren Avenue North in Seattle. My work will be hanging along with over 200 others. You can find a schedule of the other sexy events at the festival at the SEAF website.