XOXO - Erotic Art Exhibition and Social Media Event

Teaming up with Dujour Marketing for the XOXO Erotic Art Exhibitions and Social Media Event, my first internationally curated show will be on Saturday, September 21st, 2013 in Vancouver, BC.

Thank you to all the amazing artists the submitting works for this event! And thank you Tita and Avery from Dujour for putting in countless hours and organization to make this event one not to be missed! And thank you to our sponsors for the support! 

Check out this awesome write up of the show by Suicide Girls! 

And check our our full press release here. 

The manifesto of these event series is to be a traveling pop up show to raise funds for local charities thereby opening the dialogue of how "porn" and "erotica" should not be deemed in a negative connotation anymore. I have personally always tried to fund non-profit organizations to help those in need or for a cause that I believe in.

Unfortunately, I have been turned down and experienced resistance in assistance when the charities find out where I exhibit and who my clients are.

REALLY?!

When I lived in my favorite city of all time, Chattanooga, TN, I was contacted by a "Girls Club"  organization. They were hosting a fancy pants fundraiser in the form of an art auction to help the underpriviledged girls in their  group. They called me to see if I would be willing to DONATE a work of art to help them.

Let me repeat that...They called ME.

I was very happy to donate. From first hand experience, I know how strong, hardworking, business savy, and independent the women in the adult industry are. They are one of the hardest working group of women I know. Obviously, I wasn't suggesting the young ladies of the "Girls Club" to go into porn (unless they wanted to) but I definately deemed the  qualities of the "strong, independent, woman" to be valued and admired. 

I donated a print of "Requiem of a Storm" and another suitable print which was graciously accepted...until..

They contacted me to ask me to please take off "....Exhibits predominately in the Adult Industry." off of my WEBSITE. 

REALLY?!!!

No. Fuck you.

When I returned to retreive the beautiful prints valued at $1000 back from the organizers, I brought my FATHER with me. yeah, I know he's not like a "normal" dad, but nonetheless, he is my FATHER, and he always has my back even though I was just using him as a prop in this matter to prove a point. I remember arriving and the ladies apoligizing and thanking and apologizing but the damage was done. I said very loudly "DAD, can you get that print over there" just so they realized he was my DAD and I said,

"Thank you, and I hope you have a great event" to the ladies.

They said, "WE WISH YOU DIDNT HAVE TO TAKE BACK YOUR PRINTS,  OUR GIRLS NEED THE MONEY. WHY CANT YOU CHANGE YOUR WEBSITE FOR A WEEK?"

um.

Do i really have to go into why I laughed. 

Because even though you disagree with the fact that my business as an artist is involved in the PORN industry and I paint EROTIC paintings, You will be happy to still take my MONEY in the form of art, as long as I leave out that dirty part out???

fuck YOU.

Which leads me to this  Saturday's "XOXO-Erotica with a Cause' event. 

After months of planning and organizing, we decided to raise funds in the way of a Door Donations for the Battered Womens Shelter in Vancouver.  Which they were more than happy to be on the receiving end of the donations,

BUT...

"PLEASE DONT USE OUR NAME ON ANY MORE POSTERS AND PRESS. WE DO NOT WANT TO BE AFFILIATED WITH EROTIC ART. BUT WE WILL DEFINATELY STILL BE TAKING YOUR MONEY."

sooo yeah. 

 Look, I get it. I cant possibly imagine the rape, sexual abuse, sexual battery, and all types of terrible abuse these women have suffered, which is why they seek help at the Battered Womens Shelter. But dont you see THATS WHY we want to start the dialogue and help and work together?  Erotica and Porn is not the victimized genre that some people make it out to be.  Its about Empowerment, Strength and taking control of your sexuality and independence and being fucking comfortable about it. Its about feeling sexy and confident even if your "not." Its about being YOURSELF.  Its not about being a victim. Its about NOT being a Victim.

Im not the super gung ho "Girl Power!" type. I enjoy being a woman and a wife, and when my husband cares for me...there is no higher sense of protection I feel when he wraps his big muscles around me. I am never a victim because I choose not to be and dont put myself in positions where I can become one. Sure, no one can avoid the random act of malicious violence, but you can bet I will not make it easy for you. 

So, in conclusion, I told my fabulous girls of Dujour Marketing, that if the Battered Womens Shelter wants the money, they will have to come to the event to get it. And then they see for themselves how empowering and beautiful and non-victimizing our intentions are. I feel the majority of discrimination comes from ignorance, so I hope they do come and realize the values that Erotica brings.

And if they dont, well, we're gonna make the  "Make a Wish" Foundation pretty happy.