indigo

I also am saddened and I'm angry that this has happened to you Clorophilla!
It's obviously done to get a rise out of you and everyone. I had it happen to me
once and it's not fun. Danila left us for the same reason. I REALLY DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU CLORO!

clorophilla

thank you all for reassuring me. I really wanted to be sure about this bc I'm aware there is different sensitivity about some issues (i.e. showing certain parts of human body), but this seemed to me exaggerated even for American/English culture.

I agree with brumhilde, I'm concerned more for the 10 yr old TDer, sorry if he/she was shocked by such innocent images, but I want to reassure you that I'm absolutely sticked on TD and not in mind to leave for this!

Login

Happy to hear it, clo. Good for you.

mimilove68

im back

Dragon

cloro, I want to put my support for you in too. I've always been a fan of your work, I think you are a true artist. There is nothing in your gallery that I would deem as offensive or innappropriate. I think these comments were purely attention seeking behaviour and trying to start an incident. I believe you were targeted BECAUSE your work is so good and so many people follow you.

I hope this nonsense stops and please know that the TD community is behind you. (And that is indeed one way society has an obligation to art... making sure artists don't get persecuted by close minded fools)

mdawrcn

Just wanted to echo what everyone else has said - I don't believe your art to be in any way offensive or inappropriate Clorophilla. And, I have also been the target of some pretty bizarre comments by strangers. Someone chose my pic "Those eyes..." to leave some really offensive remarks and it seemed to be the only activity they took part in while on TD. Luckily, it was so offensive that when I reported it to TD they removed it immediately. Yay TD! I don't know what motivates people sometimes - the need for attention, possibly due to jealousy, or truly being offended - I doubt this. Regardless, I would ignore it and keep drawing to your hearts content. We all love your work. Please don't go away.

matthew

Clo... it appears you have your very own personal critic... I want one now... lol

If it helps, I am a big fan of your big boobs... ummm..... I mean... (j/k)

Chrissyjoy

It is possible that the negative comments you recieved came from someone jealous of your talent... I do not consider for a moment they are seriously judging you on the content. Your work isn't even slightly offensive, you treat issues sensitively, beautifully and often with great humour! The trouble with bringing art into the public eye is that unless it intentended to be shocking any negative comments can be taken personally. Art is a very personal thing for the person creating it. I guess there is an art in understanding this, knowing that not everyone will understand or react the way we hope.

Shanley

Hm, some very interesting opinions here. Q made the concept of reposibility very appealing, yet should we all take the same path, the safe way when displaying our thoughts only for society's sake? Is it better to sacrifice an open mind because the others choose to ignore the beauty of a new concept?
I believe artists have indeed great influence over the rest of the people, but being 'cautious' with this 'power' means putting a limit to imagination and that's the beginning of the end.
I suppose being socially responsible and putting a positive message to the artist's work is something that should be entirely to the artist's conscience and choice.

Qsilv

yikes! I'm waaay behind in TD forums...

Clo - there's not a crude or insensitive work in your gallery.

No regular "real world" gallery would allow such comments to last long, but this is the internet... a different "virtual" world with different limits to enforcement. And TD is a relatively small forum, not a large corporation; poor ol' Rachel is the hostess/mom with the difficult task of herding us all pleasantly through the activities. As hard to control children graciously here as it would be if they were the occasionally wildly behaved offspring of guests and the garden party I so often compare this to.

I'm soooo glad to hear you've no thought of leaving here! Your work is a joy.

Qsilv

Shanley et al - please don't get the idea that I'm in favor of only "safe" paths for artists! LOL

Five recently did one of her richly warm "watercolors" of a baby nursing... she called it "Sustenance" and it made me laugh. Why? 'Cuz on my ceiling (only place it would fit) is a painting on canvas I did of the same subject... same colors... and the mother I'd done it for (by request) wanted me to change its colors. I wouldn't, so I still own it. (I did some others for her instead.) It's wicked of me, but I have to admit I really enjoy watching people's faces when they (eventually) notice it....

I did a series of etchings and lithographs a few years back. Mostly nursing babies, but also a couple of babies being born... a series I called "Connections". There were no genitals visible, but the (to me) graceful braiding of fingers entwined with umbilical cord... and the merest hint of the arcs of spread thighs... I was shocked at the reactions to these simple line drawings. Their faces showed curiosity first... then realization... then.. a coldness... people's faces closing... moving away... offended...

(shrug) I was younger then; my feelings were sort of shattered. I stopped doing them, tho' I'd envisioned a growing series where the colors expanded in complexity...

...perhaps I'll get around to them again some day. I can still see the colors and cording floating around in my mind, it still looks entrancing, and I'm more sure of the value of the message, and of the lack of harm in it.

But I'd only display them in a venue where people are interested in art that COULD include that theme... not, for instance, in a kindergarten. But... at a ladies' tea party? (soft laugh) Depends on if the guests were Clo, Five, Login, Marg, Dragon, Shanley, etc etc ad absurdum.. delightful companions of the TD road...

; >

Dragon

I'd happily attend that tea party.

Love the analogy of TD as a kindergarten class and Rachel as the ever patient teacher who must wrangle our unruly classmates. hehehe

Normal

Ah, Q! As the product of my only foray into childbirth approaches her 48th birthday, I can still contemplate the process with fascination. But the cold, averted-eyes reaction is no surprise. Despite the fact that we all required this experience to get here, it will never be everybody's cup of tea. Maybe a small "warning" notice at the gallery's entrance? Sounds a bit silly, but who knows?

I absolutely love the idea of your beloved painting on the ceiling!

Login

(chuckles) I like Normal's idea of a warning sign ... something similar to "Tobacco is harmful to health" or "The video contains strong language". How about "Warning: This room contains the beginnings of a new life"

I would love to come to your tea party, Q. See you there, folks.

clorophilla

As motherhood, childbirth and Bfeeding are the scope of my professional activity, I feel so fond in the concept of "connection". It's so sad to me seeing people being shocked by the view of something that is just the core of life and love.
Luckily, here in Italy we haven't such kind of bias, although very sadly in some way Media are trying to homologate theyselves to the anglo-saxon prudery, i.e. promoting "special places" in public places where babies could be allowed to discretly nurse at mom's. This in Italy was never needed and I hope will never do!

So, turning on the very topic of this trend, at the gate of a beautiful gallery as the Qsilv's one, I could better put the warning as follow:

Beware! Here you will view images of love, life, joy and closeness in their whole moving fullness. If you feel not to be ready for such intensity, please stay away.