Dominatrix art from Hell to Japan
You remember when I mentioned the fall at Angel’s Flight and how it changed my life? Well, this Dominatrix art piece was part of that change. Not long after I smacked my head, I saw a story on a new dungeon and BDSM store called 665 in ForeFront Magazine. A buddy and I went over to check it out.
The store’s address was 665, and ironically across the street from a church on the corner, who’s address should have been 666. 665 was run by Mistress Monica, and we hit it off right away. I was in love with the place and the people there. The original game plan called for a store and dungeon. The DA’s office was fine with the dungeon space a few doors down from The Faultline, under the condition they move the store somewhere else (it’s the money+sex thing). So, they moved the store to West Hollywood, and I was asked to do drawings for the store and submit my art on cosignment.
The art didn’t move to the primarily gay male customers, and the experience taught me some great lessons about adult sales and business. Monica liked the art, and the portrayal of her alter ego as supernatural and wild, but needed more male-centric art.
She loved the devil guy in the back, commissioned a drawing of him on a larger scale, and he became the first mascot for the store. I still have the t-shirt for 665 and wear it proudly at fetish events.
This piece above became October 98 for the Dominatrix Calendar and was one of my favorite pieces that year. Not sure where it is now…
Meanwhile, someone recently posted a scathing rant about how American portrayal of Asian culture as mysteriously sexy hurts Asian women. Specifically, she targed a Victoria’s Secret outfit labeled Sexy Little Geisha, and I’ll admit, the VS model looked nothing like a Geisha.
Ok, I know Geishas aren’t Dommes, but I still love kimonos! I still love Asian art and Asian style. It’s still awesome! This piece in particular wasn’t even inspired by a Japanese artist, it was inspired by a Russian. His name was Erte’
Erte’ was a costume designer in the early half of the 1900’s. His work was elegant, simple, and due to the nature of his assignments, many pieces incorporated fetish and bondage themes. He was almost fetish light. He inspired me to do fetish art in a tasteful way. In Erte’s later years, he enjoyed a resurgence of art deco appreciation, and was asked to do high end prints and merchandise his work.
For the life of me I can’t remember which piece inspired me to do this. I can neither find the postcard it came from, nor the original art, which I think may have sold or been donated. On the other hand, my heart feels a little lighter when I see this piece. It became the January 1999 panel in the calendar.
Dungeon Net
Hogspy
