DAR - Bug Zapper
On my real blog I wrote about my first nude photo modeling session, but I'm gunna repost the last part of it here 'cause there are more Professional Naked Girls on SG than LJ.
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I like to be a part of people's creative process and I like to be naked. Life modeling is one of my favorite things to do. It's creative, stimulating and hard work.
I joke I'm an exhibitionist but I've heard the crueler things said about me by other cartoonists because of what I do.
I dunno, guys. Can someone be both a Naked Girl and A Real Artist at the same time?
Is it possible to go on and teach college art classes if your naked, 20something-year-old tits are easily accessible on the internet?
Am I blackmailing my future self by doing what I love at 25?
Can I still be respected for my accomplishments and growth as a cartoonist when people in the industry (almost always adult men) come up to me giggling that they've seen me naked?
I'm not going to stop nude modeling, but these are just the things I wonder about.
Any other Naked Artists have experiences to share? Has it made your Artist Career more challenging to be respected?
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I don't honestly know at this point. I've found that many people don't recognize me at galleries, and only later realize who I am.
"Do what you want with your own body" ought to be the best advice, but as an artist you rely on other people's opinion of you and your work to make money, and to get art related jobs. I started trying to dress more presentably because I want to start teaching at universities within the next year, but having my tits on the internet isn't as reversible as starting to wear pants without holes and stains.
Art is an easier venue to be open about one's personal life than other possible work arenas, especially if your work is confessional and autobiographic.
It will affect the way some potential clients and employers see you. A private Xtian school probably won't hire you to teach if they google your name, but you probably didn't want to work there anyway. But, in purely financial consideration, it can help. People who wouldn't normally look at your art might be brought to a gallery for more carnal reasons and go away with a piece of art.
The art world is hypocritical about nudity. Nude modeling for figure drawing is totally respectable, nude photography modeling somewhat less so, and erotic modeling (like here on SG) is less than that, with porn and stripping pretty beyond the pale. Nudity for art's sake is respected, but nudity for actual work isn't very respectable. I don't think you should stop doing what you're doing if you enjoy it, but realize that it will probably effect your career in unseen ways.
But if the people in the industry approach you all shy and giggling, at least they're approaching you. Maybe they wouldn't otherwise talk to you.
Short answer:
Yes, it will effect your career, but not necessarily in bad ways.