Are abs sex? Is skin suggestive? Is 'implied nudity' harmful? Facebook says yes.

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I've said it before, but America is really messed up about sex. Looking over Facebook's list of prohibited ad content you can see that they bow down to the segment of the population that has some serious confusion about sex. Yes, I know Facebook is global, so it's not just the USA who has problems, and compared to many other super oppressed and repressed countries we're the stripper on the pole. 

But seriously, nudity is not sex.  And 'implied' nudity? Really? Plenty of people have had sex with their clothes on. Nudity does not equal sex. And so what about sex? We all do it, we're all products of it. It's as natural as eating, breathing, and sleeping. The birds do it, the bees do it. Sometimes dogs do it right on your front lawn. 

But maybe I'm the crazy one. Maybe we should ban images of guys abs, because lord knows what kind of trauma abs could cause. It could create a whole culture with sexual hang ups, like thinking bare body parts like abs = sex. 

On the Drawing Board: Making Faces

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Still plenty of work to do, refining, altering, layering, but the basics of it all are shaping up.

After posting these pics on social media, someone commented, "Super-sensual, intense He looks like a wolf."

Since he is going to be in a forest, I think that's perfect! I know I'm on the right track.

 

 

"You are in VIOLATION..."

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"Cory"

"Cory"

"Back Forty"

Being an artist of the male figure, gay themes, nudes and homoerotic I'm often dealing with the dreaded 'terms of service' when it comes to marketing or printing/publishing my work an navigating what will be considered 'over the line'.

I've overcome that issue with prints by producing them myself, and as for cards, calendars I found a printer that has no problems with any of my work. 

Unfortunately I've never found a solution to getting magnets made. Companies that don't list 'adult content' as an issue are ones that require minimums of 100, 250 per magnet.  And I just don't have the funds to invest in 25,000 magnets.

Places that allow me to order in bundles of 10 usually are websites where people also sell their design in their online shops, so they include restrictions so as not to offend. The place I use is CaféPress and they employ the all familiar & vague "nothing sexually explicit" caveat. Of course that's a subjective term, since some see 'nudity' as sexual. So I'm left to letting them decide. Over the years and all the rejections, I thought I had established that they drew the line at male genitalia (whether it was sexual or not). So, fine. 

However, for my latest magnet order from CaféPress they rejected "Cory". I assume it's because of the naked butt that someone thinks is 'sexually explicit', but that doesn't jive with all the other male rear nudes they've printed for me in the past like "Back Forty". 

So until I can find a magnet maker that isn't paralyzed by the 'shame' of the human body, I guess my magnets will continue to be rated PG or perhaps G, depending on which nun is working that day.  

If anyone knows of an enlightened magnet printer please leave a comment.  Thanks!

It's My Birthday! ---AGAIN!

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This weekend is my birthday! Yay me! And yay you! I'm doing a little sale to celebrate. Just use code CELEBRATE on any order over $51 and get 20% off.

You might want to think of it as a pre-Christmas shopping sale. If you're considering ordering something framed or something that's shipping outside the USA for a Christmas present, really consider taking advantage of this sale. Yes, I'll have other special offers before Christmas but I am also going to be away for 1 week in December. Might as well eliminate as much chaos and anxiety around the holidays as possible!

~Michael

Magazine Cover & Interview

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Check out the Winter issue of the Lehigh Valley Gay Journal. My work "Christmas Time In the City" is featured on the cover and they did a nice little interview. The Lehigh Valley Gay Journal serves Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley as well as Philadelphia, NYC, Rehoboth, New Jersey etc. 

Special shout out to Stephen Libby at LVGJ, you rock!

New Christmas Painting & Prints: "Santa's Little Helper"

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During the busy holidays season we can all use a helping hand...or paw. 

During the official New Release period get 10% off the usual price of the original and prints of "Santa's Little Helper" now until approximately 8:00 AM EDT Tuesday November 1st.

NOTE: The limited edition quantities of my Christmas pieces (25 Studio, 12 Gallery) are very small, so tiered pricing increases kick in after just a few have sold.

Christmas cards of "Santa's Little Helper" will be available soon!

Santa's Little Helper
from $45.00

Original is sold.

24 x 18¼ (47 cm x 61 cm) pastel on pastel paper 

 

Giclée Prints
12 very limited edition Gallery prints
25 very limited edition Studio prints
open edition Portfolio prints
additional information about my giclée prints
additional information about framing

Other Products
5 x 7 (folded) Greeting Cards 

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On the drawing board: The right size tool for the job.

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Often the tools of the artist are whatever happens to be handy.  When the circles on your plastic geometry template aren't big enough you have to search around for something else to use.  Roll of tape?..coffee cup?...too big.  Skin cream lid?...too small.  Finally I found the perfect size ring right there in my nightstand. I think some of you know what it is. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...no it's not...but...

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I know, it feels too early to be thinking about Christmas...but in order to start and finish a painting, get cards printed, and make them available for people to order and send out before the big day...well, you gotta start before the leaves fall off the trees. 

Here's a little portion of my holiday painting outline.