I’ve been speaking with a buddy of mine about Free Comic Book Day and we’re sharing our experiences about the unintentional sexism with women in the arts. We both have experienced the credibility issue of “Did you really do this?” as we are drawing our own stuff, and “Are YOU the artist?” (sorta understandable if the artist is anonymous online). I don’t like to post lots of pictures of myself because of safety and such, but mostly I want to let the work speak for itself.
Also, on my end I’m sure that some women can feel my pain with how men think it’s ok to hit on women artists and flirt with them as though we are selling our looks and not our art. It’s disrespectful to refer to someone you aren’t dating as “baby”, “sweetie”, “honey” and all that slick sh*t. I’m not using my art to look for a date. I don’t come at anyone with pet names because “baby” isn’t their actual name. I don’t enjoy being seen as anything less than an artist because some jerk only views me as a POA. It’s not flattering to be asked to pose nude for another artist for whatever warped ideas they had for me. It’s perverted. Yes, if another woman finds it alright to pose as a live model then that’s her business. Don’t assume that all women in the arts will go that route.
Sure I’ll get the “Oh, don’t worry. Blah, blah, blah.” I’m not overreacting, I’m taking a stand. I have a right to be upset about it, but I’m making changes to help other be aware.
*Also, if you’re an event planner I’d like to speak to you about possibly developing a special type of convention that features art, cosplay, writers, comics, and all things geek. Send emails and ideas to artbyjoi214@gmail.com and I will have more specific ideas.
Featured Artist: The Art of Sha-Nee Williams. Check her out!
http://www.sartzandesign.webs.com/
http://www.paine128.deviantart.com/
