Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
UPDATE: Erotic Fetish Event Still Scheduled at AANR Resort
Despite a declaration that erotic fetish groups would "never be welcome" at Lupin Lodge, the "Northern California Human Fox Hunt" is scheduled to take place on the grounds of the Los Gatos nudist resort May 6-8, 2011.
Not only is Lupin Lodge allowing BDSM groups onto the grounds to practice their sexual fetishes out in the open, they are offering special rates for admission, lodging, camping and food.
Susan Weaver, President of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), is well aware of the openly sexual activities taking place at Lupin Lodge, and AANR-West was designated to investigate. Weaver responded by stating that their are procedures in place for dealing with such issues, and that no "recommendation has yet been received from the region".
The self-styled "credible" voice for nude recreation was informed of the fetish groups at Lupin in May of 2010, and such a slow response begs the question as to whether of not the national organization has the backbone to actually stand up to one of nudism's most storied resorts.
Nicky Hoffman-Lee, co-owner of The Naturist Society, has declined to comment on this situation at Lupin Lodge, which is the announced site of the 2011 TNS Western Gathering on August 11-14. The venue was also featured as the cover story in the Winter 2010 issue of the TNS publication "Nude and Natural" commemorating the venue's 75th anniversary, so any public acknowledgement of the sexual events taking place at Lupin Lodge would be a huge embarrassment to the organization.
The people at AANR and TNS are not stupid. They know full well that Lupin Lodge is marketing to BDSM groups, but they are hoping that members either don't know about these fetish events, or that they simply don't care.
Both AANR and TNS advertise their affiliated resorts as being true to the definitions of nudism and naturism, free from having sexually-charged atmospheres. No doubt that Lee Baxandall is rolling over in his grave when one of the premier naturist resorts in the United States is hosting "puppies, ponies, foxes, furries, and mythical beasts", with people getting their sexual kinks on by wearing leather and pulling carts around the grounds, where "hunters" can enjoy "tea service on the veranda, with their pups at their feet and their ponies on their leads", and a "Fur Ball" is taking place in the main restaurant where "local furries and kinksters are welcome to mix and kick it up".
AANR and TNS have to speak the truth on this issue which is central to the state of nudism today, and has a direct affect on the future. Either this sort of fetish marketing needs to stop, or the organizations need to re-define what is acceptable at their affiliated clubs and breathe a little honesty into the discussion. Merely trying to keep a lid on this, or pretend it is not actually happening, is unacceptable.
I strongly urge nudists and naturist everywhere to let their voices be heard. Either you support the presence of BDSM, swinger and other erotic lifestyle groups at traditional nudist venues, or you don't. Either nudism and naturism must be defended for what it has been over the past century, or it must evolve and merge with a rapidly growing adult erotic segment of society which represents open sexuality and a kink lifestyle.
It's time for nudist and naturist organizations to stop the deception and speak the truth. Oscar Wilde once said that truth is "rarely pure and never simple". Certainly AANR and TNS are struggling internally with the Lupin situation, and understandably so. But enough is enough. Time to stand up for the truth and let the chips fall where they may.
Screenshots of the Human Fox Hunt, as well as AANR and TNS contact information appear below.
AANR
Tel: 800-TRY-NUDE
407-933-2064
Fax: 407-933-7577
Email: try-nude@aanr.com
Email: susanweaver@aanr.com
THE NATURIST SOCIETY
Tel: 800-886-7230
Fax: 920-426-5184
Email: nickyh@naturistsociety.com
All animal role players will be welcome to explore their inner animal in a beautiful, outdoor natural setting. Our clothing optional venue provides a safe, sane, and consensual environment for you to romp about as you please. ALL ANIMAL role players are welcomed: puppies, ponies, foxes, furries, and mythical beasts! And, of course, their human trainers and friends.
There will be outdoor space for lunge, cart pulling, an indoor BDSM play space, and a large forested area for the hunt. This year, all hunters are encouraged to participate in the Hunt Tea following the rigors of the hunt. Hunters can enjoy tea service on the veranda, with their pups at their feet and their ponies on their leads. Commemorative awards will be provided.This is how a "Human Fox Hunt" is described:
The Human Fox Hunt is a live-action role playing game of whit and prowess where a human fox attempts to outwhit teams of human hunting dogs, ponies, hunters, handlers, and trainers in an outdoor setting. The hunt takes on a kinky bent where the team that captures the fox gets to negotiate a BDSM scene to simulate the ritualized dismemberment of the fox in the spirit of the bloodsport of fox hunting.Lupin Lodge professes on its web site that "nudity and sex are different human experiences", and parents "can relax knowing that the others in our family environment share their concern for the inviolability of all children".
Not only is Lupin Lodge allowing BDSM groups onto the grounds to practice their sexual fetishes out in the open, they are offering special rates for admission, lodging, camping and food.
Susan Weaver, President of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), is well aware of the openly sexual activities taking place at Lupin Lodge, and AANR-West was designated to investigate. Weaver responded by stating that their are procedures in place for dealing with such issues, and that no "recommendation has yet been received from the region".
The self-styled "credible" voice for nude recreation was informed of the fetish groups at Lupin in May of 2010, and such a slow response begs the question as to whether of not the national organization has the backbone to actually stand up to one of nudism's most storied resorts.
Nicky Hoffman-Lee, co-owner of The Naturist Society, has declined to comment on this situation at Lupin Lodge, which is the announced site of the 2011 TNS Western Gathering on August 11-14. The venue was also featured as the cover story in the Winter 2010 issue of the TNS publication "Nude and Natural" commemorating the venue's 75th anniversary, so any public acknowledgement of the sexual events taking place at Lupin Lodge would be a huge embarrassment to the organization.
The people at AANR and TNS are not stupid. They know full well that Lupin Lodge is marketing to BDSM groups, but they are hoping that members either don't know about these fetish events, or that they simply don't care.
Both AANR and TNS advertise their affiliated resorts as being true to the definitions of nudism and naturism, free from having sexually-charged atmospheres. No doubt that Lee Baxandall is rolling over in his grave when one of the premier naturist resorts in the United States is hosting "puppies, ponies, foxes, furries, and mythical beasts", with people getting their sexual kinks on by wearing leather and pulling carts around the grounds, where "hunters" can enjoy "tea service on the veranda, with their pups at their feet and their ponies on their leads", and a "Fur Ball" is taking place in the main restaurant where "local furries and kinksters are welcome to mix and kick it up".
AANR and TNS have to speak the truth on this issue which is central to the state of nudism today, and has a direct affect on the future. Either this sort of fetish marketing needs to stop, or the organizations need to re-define what is acceptable at their affiliated clubs and breathe a little honesty into the discussion. Merely trying to keep a lid on this, or pretend it is not actually happening, is unacceptable.
I strongly urge nudists and naturist everywhere to let their voices be heard. Either you support the presence of BDSM, swinger and other erotic lifestyle groups at traditional nudist venues, or you don't. Either nudism and naturism must be defended for what it has been over the past century, or it must evolve and merge with a rapidly growing adult erotic segment of society which represents open sexuality and a kink lifestyle.
It's time for nudist and naturist organizations to stop the deception and speak the truth. Oscar Wilde once said that truth is "rarely pure and never simple". Certainly AANR and TNS are struggling internally with the Lupin situation, and understandably so. But enough is enough. Time to stand up for the truth and let the chips fall where they may.
Screenshots of the Human Fox Hunt, as well as AANR and TNS contact information appear below.
AANR
Tel: 800-TRY-NUDE
407-933-2064
Fax: 407-933-7577
Email: try-nude@aanr.com
Email: susanweaver@aanr.com
THE NATURIST SOCIETY
Tel: 800-886-7230
Fax: 920-426-5184
Email: nickyh@naturistsociety.com
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Under the snow...
While cleaning sticks and debris from my lawn this week (which has finally revealed itself after this long, long, winter), I found this lace-y piece of decayed paper trash, and I thought it was quite beautiful. I am going to make it the focal point of an art piece. It reminds me of handmade paper with inclusions. Mother nature, a total bitch for sure, but also the most inspiring artist...
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
AANR to Sponsor Guinness Hula-Hoop World Record Attempt
American Association for Nude Recreation President Susan Weaver has announced this year's event for Nude Recreation Week.
We all had a great deal of fun the past two years setting and beating our own world record for simultaneous skinny-dipping. However, there is a great deal of paperwork involved and several event coordinators begged for at least a year of respite.
As it turns out, challenging an existing record is somewhat simpler than establishing a new one, and our PR Team has identified an existing record they think it will be fun to try and break -- simultaneous hula hooping. So this July 9th, clubs and locales that want to register as part of this event will simultaneously set those hoops a-spinning to set a new world record.
As background, hula hooping dates back to 1957 when Richard Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Melin started promoting Australian exercise hoops. From July to November 1958, 24 million hula hoops had been made; by 1960, over 100 million hula hoops had been sold. The craze was on.
Like most fads, hula hooping comes in and out of fashion. It seems to be extremely popular with a diverse population right now, so AANR will be coordinating events at a number of localities on July 9, 2011 and reaching to beat the current record of 4,700 people hula hooping at once.
Skinny-dip Bear has already started practicing, as you can see from his picture on the AANR Facebook site.
We hope lots of folks will enjoy turning out for this fun event.
Use your stuff!!!
On Sunday, my good friend Marilyn and I taught our first class of the season, entitled Let's Get Plastered. Below is my sample, created in class. I shared my technique for using drywall spackle to create texture, form and dimension, and Marilyn did a great texture study, using found objects and textural elements. (my sample for this technique also pictured below).
When we teach, Marilyn and I always come laden with boxes and bins of "stuff" to share with out students during class - things collected through many years of art making: collage papers, one of a kind books and ledgers, buttons, vintage lace, dress patterns, stencils, beads and charms... whatever we think might be fun and useful during class. And our students are always excited to look through our "stuff" for the perfect elements to enhance their creations.
Frequently, they marvel at our ability to part with such treasures. I will admit that there was a time when I hoarded my "stuff." Even now, I do have a few favorite finds that I cannot bear to use OR share -- for now. But one of the many things that I have learned as I make art and collect the found objects that make their way into my art is that there will always be more "stuff." And that allowing my favorite finds to gather dust in my art room does not do them the honor that I envisioned when I found them.
I don't want to be the one who dies with the most toys (or stuff). For me, that's not winning. Really, I don't want to die at all, but so far, I haven't figured a way around that one. So, in the meantime, I will share my "stuff," as well as my ideas, and my passion for living a full and creative life, with everyone I am blessed to know.
When we teach, Marilyn and I always come laden with boxes and bins of "stuff" to share with out students during class - things collected through many years of art making: collage papers, one of a kind books and ledgers, buttons, vintage lace, dress patterns, stencils, beads and charms... whatever we think might be fun and useful during class. And our students are always excited to look through our "stuff" for the perfect elements to enhance their creations.
Frequently, they marvel at our ability to part with such treasures. I will admit that there was a time when I hoarded my "stuff." Even now, I do have a few favorite finds that I cannot bear to use OR share -- for now. But one of the many things that I have learned as I make art and collect the found objects that make their way into my art is that there will always be more "stuff." And that allowing my favorite finds to gather dust in my art room does not do them the honor that I envisioned when I found them.
I don't want to be the one who dies with the most toys (or stuff). For me, that's not winning. Really, I don't want to die at all, but so far, I haven't figured a way around that one. So, in the meantime, I will share my "stuff," as well as my ideas, and my passion for living a full and creative life, with everyone I am blessed to know.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Century Project Weathers a Storm
Dr. Paul Rapoport chronicles the obsession of Oklahoma State University professer John Foubert with Frank Cordelle's "The Century Project".
Although images of nudity may occasionally surprise, confuse, or bother some people, and individuals may misuse some, naturists need to oppose the claim that the existence or viewing of such images causes or increases sexual violence or crime. Countering it may be a tough task. But the mythology and censorship surrounding nudity, especially the non-sexualized variety in naturism, are large and hysterical, and as disturbing as John Foubert’s fabrications and bullying.You can read Dr. Rapoport's full article here, published in the latest issue of "Nude and Natural" magazine.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
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