Feminism Without Clothes

I recently came back from a trip to LA that left me less than impressed with the city.  I found it depressing, sprawling, and congested.  I worked with a couple of great photographers, and where I was staying in Santa Monica was beautiful, but this was the first city out of all the ones I’ve visited for modeling that left a bad taste in my mouth.

I’ve been trying to find out why that was, and I think I’ve figured it out- I didn’t have any support network outside of photographers there.

In all the other cities, I could overlook flaws because I had people there I knew on a friendship level, even if it was only from online.  In some cases, these people even let me stay with them (by the way, everyone should hire the Boston-based Isobel Wren- she’s adorably awesome).  I always had the phone number of someone who I knew was somewhere in the city and wouldn’t have a problem coming to my rescue.

Now, it’s worth noting that I didn’t get nearly as lonely, or lost, or broke in Seattle, New York, or Boston as I did in LA.  But, if I had, there were people I could have turned to who didn’t have cameras in their hands.  I didn’t have any such person in LA.

Knowing this soured the trip more than a bit- but I’ve learned how important people are in my life.   No matter how independent a woman I claim to be, I have to remember and be thankful for them.

 

 

 

 

January 2007, David Le Beck. Who’s awesome even if he does live in LA.     

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In several past emails, people have brought up the fact that I’m Arab- one even considered me to be a “strong Arab woman.” 

Which is all well and good, but I don’t really consider myself to be Arab.

My father was born and raised in the Middle East…and that’s about it.  I grew up in America, raised by two American citzens in a Catholic home.

Truth be told, I don’t really consider myself any ethnic group or race- or, rather, I don’t identify with any.  I’ve referred to myself as “off-white” before, and that seems to work as well as anything else, and makes people laugh, to boot.

Being called Arab doesn’t offend me, but it makes me feel uneasy in certain contexts- I don’t want to represent anything, be it women, arabs, feminists, or all three.  Two of those I most definitely consider myself, but the other…not so much.

Of course, I haven’t even skimmed the surface- and don’t really care to in this blog- regarding the different ethnic groups and religious sects within the “Arab” label that’s thrown upon pretty much everyone who grows up speaking Arabic by the western world. 

Nor have I brought up the fact that using the phrase “strong Arab woman” in this context implies that most Arab woman are weak.

In any case, I’m sure there are lots of strong Arab women out there, but I’m afraid you’re reading the wrong blog if that’s what you’ve come seeking.

 

 

January 2007, Jeffery McAlister.   

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And down I slide…

 

 

 

   

 By the one and the only D. Brian Nelson. January 2007.

 

 

 

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On January 12, 2006, I created a blog entitled “Feminism Without Clothes.”

Feminism Without Clothes: a timeline.

December 11, 2005- the domain candyposes.com is purchased.

Jan 12th, 2006- the first post.

May 2nd, 2006- Feminism Without Clothes participates in Blogging Against Disablism day.

May 5, 2006- Reviewed in Jane’s Guide.

Jul 11th, 2006- Six Months Old.

Aug 7th, 2006-Aug 15th, 2006- The Body Image Series.

August 16, 2006- mentioned in Carnival of Feminists XXI.

Sep 8th, 2006- the 100th post.

Sep 29, 2006- mentioned on Fleshbot.

December 31, 2006- Winner of the “Best Model Blog” award from the Fluffytek Photographic Art blog.

Goals regarding Feminism Without Clothes:

I’d like my writing to improve, and to continue to explore “deeper” topics related to modeling, women, and society; when I first began this blog, I didn’t realize exactly what a huge topic I was tackling. My motto was, “feminism is about choice, and I choose to model nude!” As time has gone on, I’ve realized that it’s not as simple as that. What are the larger rammifications of nude modeling, and related industries/activities?

I’d like to keep the photography in this blog of a high -or higher- quality.

I’d like to find a happy medium regarding what I share about my personal life.

And I’d like to thank everyone who bothers to read this blog. It’s been a place for me to document my evolution as a model and as a feminist, and having an audience to provide feedback and insight has helped that process.

Thank you.

 

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In three months, I will be doing something the likes of which I have never done before.

I’m going to be moving from the Washington, DC area.

I will be going to Seattle.

The idea of moving is so huge- and has always been inconcievable for my entire adult life.  I’ve lived a long time with the mindset, “You’re too sick to do that” regarding a good deal of things.

Realizing that, no, I’m not too sick to do that is scary.  Deciding that, not only am I well enough to do that, I’m going to do it, is petrifying.

I really don’t have anything more to write about regarding it, except that I’m feeling overwhelmed, and nervous, and, of course, scared out of my mind.

I have never done anything like this before.

Happy 2007, everyone.

 

Photography by toan thai photography, taken in November, 2006.  

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My friend and housemate Marisa sent me these link with a sentence starting “you may already know about this book…”

I did already know, but thank you for reminding me.

From an article about photographer Frank Cordelle and the Century Project:

The gist of his project, he explains, is to document women of all ages as they truly are, from an infant at the moment of birth through a centenarian in her last years. While that may not sound so controversial, there’s a reason Cordelle’s work shows at nudist resorts and colleges instead of museums, and why he had such a hell of a time getting his book published. His photos, although profoundly moving to some viewers, come as a shock to many, particularly when viewed out of context. Nude depictions of children and seniors are by nature taboo in a culture rooted in Puritanism. And most, although not all, of his subjects bear physical or mental scars, or struggle with their body image. Some are obese, anorexic, or bulimic. Some have been raped or abused. Some are afflicted with disease, while others have inflicted pain upon themselves.

The Century Project- the book- can be purchased here. 

Photography by Vincent Smith, taken in October, 2006.

P.S. Happy Birthday, Marisa! Remember, 30 is the new 20!

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