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J0H0R — a nude landscape
#backside #bed #interior #landscape #male #man #naked #nude #shadow
Published: 2019-05-04 05:02:58 +0000 UTC; Views: 2612; Favourites: 34; Downloads: 0
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from out of the darkness...Related content
Comments: 22
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This photograph looks elegant; I like the lighting.
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thank you so much, i always liked this shot too (though i can't take credit for the lighting as it is just natural light from the window behind me).
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One’s ability to use natural lighting, to catch the right moment adds a lot to the quality of art photography. I had read a story or two on DA, about how artists were aware of it and spared no effort to be at the right place on the right time. Your shot has a lot of emotion in it; not too revealing but just enough.
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thank you i agree. a good photographic image is almost always about the quality of the light. i totally understand why a serious photographer would spare no effort to be at the right place at the right time. the light is everything. I too liked this pose and photo because it is a lot more demure than my usual nudes. I'm glad you like it. thank you again.
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You’re welcome! Demure is enigmatic, which is cool. But it all depends. Usually guys are more shy, and it was a breath of fresh air to see David Bowie in ‘The man who fell to Earth’ getting completely nude with no-big-deal attitude. Everything depends on nuances— and lighting.
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Nice reference. i love David Bowie and miss his insight upon the world we live in. i also loved the Man Who Fell to Earth and forgot that he had gotten naked. More power to him. He always believed in the importance of the art and I don't think the Brits were particularly hung up on nudity in those days.
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It’s cool to run into another David Bowie fan 🖤👩🎤 (this emoticon is in my phone, popping up when I type “artist” or “musician”, lol). He has been a profound influence! And so didn’t care who-thinks-what. As for your nudes, they sure have feeling and atmosphere. It takes boldness to work in this genre; the theme of invocation is also present, because art has its way to manifest in the life of an artist. I admit I only went through a small part of your gallery, with my slow connection. But I noticed your face remains shaded. It could be wise for some social reasons — people can be weird and try to make you feel bad (I guess because they would be secretly jealous?) But another reason could be different: it’s that mystique that makes one sexy, the same way carnival masks do. All of the mundane, uptight identity is dissolved in the ocean of Oneness, if that doesn’t sound too far-fetched.
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That's not too far fetched at all, I like it. It makes total sense to me. I think that the anonymity does provide that connection between my nudes to the universal theme of Oneness. I think it helps that I am not a "model." I'm not young and i do not have a magnificent figure. Some people do I guess but most of us don't. Most can relate to the imperfectness of another's body. They may not like it and it may trigger something for them, but it will resonate. I've challenged viewers in the past to write a comment about the first thing that came into their mind when they see my nudes (and be honest of course). I really enjoyed the honesty, it was refreshing. i did notice that when i posted a nude with my face, I got less responses and the responses were different. Like Bowie, i find freedom in the realms of eccentricity, exploration and honesty. Thank you for your thoughts, I appreciate your insight and thoughtful explorations.
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What is art? It is said that the purpose of works of art may be to communicate ideas, such as in politically, spiritually, or philosophically motivated art; to create a sense of beauty (see aesthetics); to explore the nature of perception; for pleasure; or to generate strong emotions. The purpose may also be seemingly nonexistent. For me, I think the purpose has been to grow and evolve. It is something i need to start doing more purposely again.
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Thank you for your honesty, this is lost art. It may not bring instant benefits but you’ll be better off than having problems in the long run. Totally against many societal structures... As was in the song of my other favorite musician/band, Clan of Xymox, “This world is built on loss and a million lies”. I find this very correct. But one still feels that truth is the luxury, which is necessity, and craves it. As long as you’re doing and being your best, perfection is a matter of perspective. 🔮
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thank you so much, I wasn't really expecting any benefits but there has been one. It's strange b/c I've shown the world what my naked body looks like (imperfection and flaws and all) but have actually grown in my body confidence. It's a nice benefit, though I suspect it may have as much to do with aging (with the consequent "i don't give a f#ck what other people think" attitude). Clan of Xymox sounds like they've got a good eye on what's going on. I wouldn't disagree, but like you I crave the insight that only honesty can provide. I think that art (whatever the medium) is at it's best when it is expressing a truth.
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You’re welcome. By ‘perspective’ I meant not just cheesy politically correct “all-bodies-are-beautiful” stuff. I actually doubted if I should bring it up, but a better look at your gallery (with a bit of better connection) had convinced me to share this. Lovely images! The way you do nature photography is just as filled with emotion as the nudes. Ok, here’s the truth: I had recently read Anton La Vey’s ‘A Compleat Witch’ (or, in the latest edition, ‘The Satanic Witch’). Despite such outrageous title, this is a very grounded and practical psychology manual. No bat-eating mumbo-jumbo. There, LaVey introduces his Synthesizer Clock, and each existing body type has its place in it, somewhere between 1 and 12. For example, the most archetypal masculine body is the 12 o’clock, the most feminine ‘mermaid’ type is 6 o’clock. The plumpest ‘teddy bear’ is 9 o’clock, the thinnest ‘nerd’ is 3. That’s both men and women! The whole gamut in there 
I had thought about what he wrote for a while, and it rings true to me. Lots of other useful insights in that book, not all backed up by science but by his observation of human behavior. The best psychology book I know of, and I try to read all I can. As for official science I know from inside out how corrupt it can be. And yes of course I know who La Vey was
That is, to appreciate the body everyone was given. It’s hard to change it radically — and if that happened you’d start attracting those you care less for. So each time I start hating on my 7 o’clock softness and wish to be a skinny 4-5 o’clock ballerina, the best default is to be happy I’m alive and healthy. And true, with age comes less worry about validation from others. I think the number of deep thinking individuals is growing, which reflects in support artists here give each other. Just like trees in your other photos (amazing btw), we all get twisted and beaten down by storms. And re-emerge in spring like those crocuses and daisies. I know that some people will never like me because they are hard wired to like something else... it’s ok. Loving the self is important because we end up treating others the way we do ourselves.
lol, a long comment. Blessed be.
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sorry, I had hoped to find a copy of LaVey's 'A Compleat Witch' in a local second hand book stores and review it before replying. Your thoughts on the book were intriguing and I wanted to take a look myself. I was only somewhat familiar with him by reputation (the "Satanic Bible" of course) but the whole 'satanic' thing always throws me off with its complete inanity. I wanted to give it a chance but unsurprisingly there is nothing around here in our stores. It's not exactly the bible belt here (that's more like where I grew up), but it is still a pretty conservative blue-collar region. I had some hopes for the resort town up the hi-way as their residents seem to have to have better and more esoteric tastes, but I was there the other day and no luck. I will keep my eyes open as it sounds like I might like it too. I've always had an interest in psychology and love to hear an alternative view. Of course I also happen to have an interest in our physical bodies and will probably continue to explore this theme until my dying day. I hope to post a nude of myself at 80 but I'm sure it will have little shock or artistic value (beyond my personal realm) by that time. I would like LaVey's perspective b/c I'm not even sure what body type attracts me. They ALL seem too... LoL! (and I'm not a sex crazed maniac believe it or not). I get that you would want to be the ballerina (we all want that perfection), but what type are you attracted too?
I love your thoughts on my nature photos too (than you very much . I have always been attracted to the stark and twisted (dead) trees. When I wan't drawing fantasy warriors and nudes as an adolescent, I was doodling twisty trees. they have always struck me as a metaphor for life, but I realize now that I've also always preferred autumnal and wintry shots where we witness the life and death struggle of the subject rather than the beautiful summer bloom types (though I definitely see the beauty in those too). I see this as a parallel to my preference for the mature and imperfect nudes to all those pics of the perfectly beautiful young things that are prevalent everywhere. i appreciate the beauty of those people in their bloom, but i think I see things with my wizened old eyes and know that their bloom is just so temporary and superficial. They will soon experience the trials and tribulations of life and their bloom will end. Hopefully they will have the strength and wisdom to endure. In this I think we have a very similar philosophical perspective. Life is hard. We will all be beaten down a bit before it is over. I see the beauty in the fight to withstand the slings and arrows of life's worst experiences. Not all do, they want to pretend it's all beautiful and it's not fair or right when things don't work out. That's just the way it is as far as I can tell.
Blessed Be
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I’m so glad you actually tried to find the book and see what it says! My worst fear was that I had accidentally offended you; I understand the bad rap La Vey’s name had acquired. He knew it would and banked on it. But, judging by this book, and some other of his writings, I had formed my own opinion. Which is — he was a very intelligent man who knew women like no other. I like the practicality of his worldviews, and how fun he made it to read. Btw, I’m not a follower of his religion or any other; I will read christian books too if they speak to me (but still find an author like him more sincere). ‘Wild at heart’ (about male psychology) and ‘Captivating’ (on female psychology) by John and Stasi Eldredge are good examples. I just skip religious paragraphs without arguing and continue to the ‘meat and bones’ of the book.
‘The satanic witch’ happened to reach me as a post-mortem gift from David Bowie, in an odd way. I watched ‘Blackstar’ music video on youtube right after his death, and saw a few unpleasant comments from religious folks, accusing him of dark occult, etc. It made me feel bad: these people knew he had just died, and yet they kicked him. So I started looking up what they condemned, educating myself on the subjects 
I can see how the folks who think they’re esoteric and tasteful could shun something like this: it’s definitely not crystals and fine robes, lol. I had my ego pinched a few times while reading it, but fortunately had some experience confirming he is right. Mostly about ‘bitchcraft’ and female friendships that I was way too starry-eyed about. The whole book is targeted towards the nitty-gritty of daily life; as the author states, if a woman can’t solve her mundane problems— she is no witch. LOL.
As for body types, each has a psychological profile attached to it, which makes people easier to read. You asked which one I’m attracted to; naturally, to the one opposing mine. It would be a one or two o’clock ‘skinny rock star’. In La Vey’s terms, that’s my inner ‘demon’ which completes me. A person of the type similar to mine would be a ‘familiar: someone with whom there’s mutual understanding and camaraderie— unless it’s another woman! Then she is hungry for the same things I am, and having such girlfriend is asking for trouble. I had learned the hard way: my copycat friend was not exactly after my partner but she tried to literally become me. Creepy.
La Vey notes that a person whose demonic side is not fulfilled by a mate fitting into that category may try to become their own ‘demon’, which is most obvious when they are intoxicated. Way too many ‘bottom of the clock’ women become aggressively feministic for the simple reason that they weren’t lucky to find that archetypical ‘top of the clock’ man to love them. (‘me too’ and similar cultural conditioning add to that). Or the most social (and the plumpest) nine o’clock person may become their own cynical and misanthropic three o’clock opposite. It doesn’t work well. He gives a good insight into LGBTQ topic as well, and a tad of magical practice, the latter made a lot of sense because I see how it’s connected with mind potential and quantum physics.
I guess that should be it with the spoilers for now.
No one doesn’t have to be sex crazed to appreciate the beauty of a human body. They had a healthy attitude in Ancient Greece — acknowledging the emotion and the energy but choosing wisely how to act on it.
... Have to go help my husband put an extra cover on the dance yurt so it’s not too cold in winter. I had told him we’ve been talking btw; he is cool. Thank you for being thoughtful and open-minded; I was somewhat worried about having recommended a radical read to someone I don’t know well — but I had a right-brained impression that something good will come out of it. Blessed be.
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LoL! No worries about offending me. it would be difficult for most people to offend me, especially with philosophical or spiritual inquisitiveness and offerings (now politics would be a different story, recently anyways, hopefully you won't be voting for president pussy grabber, and if you are you shouldn't tell me). I'm not particularly aligned with any spiritual/religious path or dogma, but remain open to all. I'm a bit of a skeptical optimist when it comes to my own beliefs but I can sense the divine connections of the universe in most things and people. I love to hear others thoughts on these matters and am glad you are sharing yours with me. You've given me a lot to think about and really piqued my curiosity. I will be travelling for work for the next couple of weeks and will make a point of hitting a good bookstore or two along my travels (I've never heard of the Eldrege's but will keep them in mind too).
It's pretty cool how this book happened to come into your life (I can't imagine anything better than a gift from Bowie, I feel like he gave me an open mind in the closed minded environment that I grew up in). I find the religious trolls (whether on the internet or lurking among us) truly distasteful and like that your approach was to educate yourself on the subject. If I had done that it probably would have been to burn them by exposing their stupidity and hypocrisy with a good zinger. I have worked among women for too long to have any illusions about 'bitchcraft' (that's the first time I've heard that phrase but I love it). I've become adept at not being drawn into the web of alliances that one will create while undermining another. It is a very important skill to be aware of these dynamics and navigate them carefully.
I love the spoilers (of course they're not spoilers but act more as an enticement in my mind). I would love to know more about those that try to become their own demon and wonder if I have experienced this in my life. Probably, there are too many mistakes to count sometimes...LoL.
I love that you have a dance yurt and wonder if it acts as your art studio as well. My sister in Arizona lived in a yurt for many years and I enjoyed my time there. Seems like a very practical and comfortable abode.
I gotta run too but will connect again soon.
Blessings!
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It’s great you’re not offended; I like people who are open-minded yet grounded. Religious trolls? That sounds funny! Those folks are too far gone to argue with, I just steer clear. Same with politics— can’t make heads or tails of it, leave alone have a say in it. I just let it be.
Kinda cool that your sister had a yurt; those are lovely and different. Not much of a problem with moisture in Arizona I guess? Here we have to run a woodstove and have insulation. The dance yurt makes a nice art studio but still needs to be warmer. Getting there!
I should have guessed you worked a lot amongst women — you’re good at communicating! Boys and girls differ a lot and do not speak common language; understanding is a learned skill. I’m so sad people do not learn how to have harmonious relationships but hope there are developments there. Too many mistakes to count, lol... some could be avoided if there was someone wise, an older person who cares and is tactful enough to not make a ‘student’ feel bad. There’s a lot of talk about the world going to hell but I think the main reason for such moods is personal unhappiness. One can’t be unfulfilled yet put on a fake facade and achieve success that is authentic and lasting. In this way, art was my pressure valve in darker times and helped bring the special someone into my life, eventually. It remains the balancing point, especially when we’re both drained. It connects me to the Source.
As for your previous note about twisted trees, there is a lot to admire about such resilience— and be cautious to know my limits, to avoid being broken again. I had never been one of those perfect young things, and now when in my forties the chagrin about it is only stronger. This is where my sense of humor fails me; at least I see how pathetic it may look. The most important thing, though, is that alibis are all just a bunch of B.S. on the universal scale: it doesn’t matter what they did to me, how they knocked off my ‘blossoms’ before those had formed. I have today and I’ll be darned for sitting on my arse and lamenting. This is where art comes into play. That and gratitude for things that did turn out. It’s Thanksgiving today btw, so this is what it is for me — counting blessings. Must be a different date in Canada but hope you have a good one and be safe traveling. Blessings. Good luck with finding the book too, I think you’ll enjoy it
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Happy (belated) Thanksgiving. I hope it was a good one for you and the family. You're right, ours is in October, but most Canadians are pretty aware of American cultural events and holidays. A few years ago I was in Maui for Thanksgiving and it was wonderful. I love the celebration of family and the general good will and positiveness. I wasn't around to wish you well on Thursday as life is pretty busy these days but i did take a moment to think of you and send blessing. I don't mind that things are so busy as they seem to be headed in the right direction (there are always curves in the road, no matter how well planned though). It looks like it'll stay busy for the foreseeable future too.
My travels will be taking me to Vancouver so I'm sure I'll find a copy La Vey's book. If not in Van, I'll likely scoot over to the island to visit family on the week-end and Victoria has long history with pagan and occult communities. It also has many great book-stores that have been favourite haunts of mine and I look forward to exploring them for this book (and others). I know i will find it and I look forward to chatting with you after I've read it.
My sister's yurt was quite large and i'm actually not sure about moisture issues. They didn't have insulation but they lived in the mountains and the weather was not your typical Arizona hot and dry. I believe they had a wood stove but I don't recall it being in use when I was there. They had a lot of scrub oak on their property that I know they cut and burned in an effort to reduce the wildfire fuel load danger. I'm sure yours will become the comfortable place you envision, but winter is winter and a powerful force here in the north. Some concession always have to be made.
I really like working with the women I have over the years, and I did learn a lot (to my benefit ultimately). I did not have the wise life mentor really, but stumbled into my mistakes, learned about them, and made my way through them. I always come out the other side. I have been with my wife for over 30 years (not all harmonious ones that's for sure...LoL) and we have achieved a good balance. I like that art was that release for you in darker times and that it brought that special someone into your life. I'm not surprised though as your art is more than beautiful, it is an invocation that I can easily see puts energies out into the world. I'm glad that it is positive energies that you are radiating. It reflects the beautiful and wise person that you are inside.
I have never been one of those perfect young things either, but what used to be a wound is now a source of strength and wisdom. I know that you are coming to this place in your life and have found how to tap into your inner strength and sense of peaceful communion with the world. We have all been forged in a fire of one sort or another. It can destroy us or make us stronger. i think I see your strength. I can honestly say my sense of humour has never failed me, even in the darkest times (and dark times always seem to return, it is a part of the cycle that I can accept and work through again when I must). It has changed over the years and i no longer use it as a weapon (and not as often as a shield). It buoyed me through the most turbulent times of my youth and is a source of strength in relating to people in difficult situations now. It has grown more powerful and made me stronger and wiser over the years. I love that you keep exploring gratitude. You can never go wrong there.
Many bright blessings!
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Oh my, thanks for such a nice and positive note! Sounds like I can learn a lot from your outlook on life, especially using humor as a survival tool. When things get tough it takes me a while to see the funny side of them... eventually it’s possible and I see it would have been more intelligent to laugh it off and glide by, instead of trying to bulldoze right through it... here’s to going to the demonic side! I have lived there all my life. Seven o’clocks are those archetypal feminine gals that are at home with everything I despised to the core. Instead I had become a scientist, a strong ‘move-out-of-my-way-while-I’m-getting-shit-done’ kind of woman; I’m sure you have seen a bunch. And they all must be quite unhappy. Speaking of the humor, the best laugh is the one at my own screw-ups, and La Vey’s book provides those generously. Real humbling sometimes but it sure is funny as hell... LOL.
I’m so pleased to hear that you were able to keep and balance your marriage for decades. That’s not for the sissies, I know what you mean! Harmony doesn’t just happen. We become enamored by the best in another person and want to claim them for ourselves; then we have to discover and deal with the worst. That’s part of the privilege
I’m glad you see the positive energy in my art; it is truly the invocation of all better things in life. Wounds and deprivations become those black holes, which, I think, may be sources of new life on the reverse side.
I enjoy talking to you. Thank you for your wisdom and have fun traveling. I’ll have to save the charge on my phone for now, until something is done about the solar... takes time. Blessings.
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You are most welcome. I'm glad that you found my note helpful and am really pleased that you may look to using humour rather than the bulldozing method of human relations and problem solving. I'm sure there will be near universal appreciation for a different approach...LoL! As you've already found, this method may be most appreciated by you.
I hope that you get your power storage issues resolved soon. It is great that you live off the grid (and yet look how well connected you are at the same time, the bright side of technology) but I'm sure it comes with many many challenges too. I don't think I could do it in the long term but it is certainly a worthy effort. My sister in Arizona was mostly self reliant and off the grid, but you are right in thinking that it may be different experience in the south vs the north.
I am busily packing now and leaving early tomorrow. I won't be back until the week of x-mas. I will only be sporadically able to check in so I will wish you well for now and please know that I enjoy and appreciate your conversation as well. I always look forward to the next.
Blessings.
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Hope you’re having a good trip, traveling takes a lot of focus— especially (un)packing! ;0
So I’ll make this a short one. Been trying to think what kind of humor goes best with me, and I figured it’s dark humor. Because— Gothic sentiments and some life situations. Off-grid living, too: your sister must be tough! I wouldn’t want to ‘rough it’ but this is how it is. I’m a neat freak all- into fine things and cosmetic perfection... good luck with that living in nature. LOL.
Thank you for your insights and nice conversation! I’ll let you go for now and will look forward to after x-mas.
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