Today at Pink Towers, we’re celebrating another Sexy Sunday. What better way to mark one of our favourite days of the week than with an interview with the fabulously talented erotic artist Fran Duncan. She has previously exhibited here at Sh! and we are all in lust with her beautiful, sultry and curvaceous pieces.
What inspired you to start creating your art?
I have always been artistic ever since I can remember. It’s all I've ever wanted to do. I have always loved drawing the human form, it was my favourite subject at Art College but it wasn't until much later that I started producing erotic art.
I came out of a long term relationship and had a bit of a sexual awakening. I discovered all kinds of exciting (some a little scary) things about myself!
So, naturally this changed the direction of my art. The whole process of painting or drawing people I find sensual and totally absorbing, much like sex itself. I think the very first inspiration came when I got a job working in the office of a top shelf mag and my boss gave me a very old black and white copy of Skin 2 it opened up a whole new world to me.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Creative, passionate, hedonistic.
How would you describe your style?
I would describe my style as flowing curvaceous (it’s all about the curves), sensual and subtle. Above all I want the image I create to be beautiful. I'm not a fan of traditional porn and even allot of what calls itself erotica: for me it’s too in your face and obvious. This is totally a personal preference and I have no problem with porn. It has its place and I'm happy it brings allot of people pleasure, we could all do with a lot more of that in our lives!
My work is all about sensuality; my aim is to seduce the onlooker rather than challenge or shock. I try to convey that feeling one gets when totally absorbed in sensation and pleasure. In this age of conceptual art, where the aim so often seems to be to cause controversy and disturb the viewer in the name of social comment and to provoke a reaction at all costs, I believe that art should be beautiful and pleasing - it should enrich our lives rather than provoke negative feelings. In a world ruled by modern art, this belief seems to make me something of a heretic.
You’ve exhibited at Sh! previously; what have you liked about working with us?
That’s an easy one! You are all so friendly and supportive. It can often be intimidating for artists to approach galleries and shops to exhibit their work, so it is always a pleasant surprise to be met with kind words and enthusiasm.
You were, I believe, the first shop of your kind and you have a very loyal and enthusiastic following, so it was quite an honour to be asked to exhibit my work.
What do you feel inspires you as an artist?
I am fascinated by human sexuality in all its forms. It is such a dichotomy: it’s what drives us and defines us. It’s such a big part if who we are, but at the same time it’s full of taboos and feelings of guilt and "naughtiness", and for some people that is what makes it so exciting. I have spent many happy hours discussing this vast subject with friends. The fantasy aspect of my work is perhaps a little less easy to explain: I love wings and tails, I love mythical creatures I am also fascinated by the idea of a good and bad side to us, a dark and light, hence the angel and devil theme. For some reason even "good" people seem to be drawn to and intrigued by the darkness of the human condition.
Who inspires you as an artist?
My inspiration comes from a variety of genres; I love old religious paintings with the cracked varnish, the rich colours and gold leaf. I am planning on developing this theme more at some point. I love the pin up art of Vargas and his peers. I think that is the first style that got me interested in erotic painting. When I started I tried air brush, as this is what Vargas used, but I found It to restricting and moved on to oil painting. There have been a few artists in my life that have inspired me greatly, none of them famous. I know artists are supposed to reference famous artist as inspiration but that simply has not been the case for me. It has been a small collection of amazing artists in different fields, one was a pencil artist and surrealist, one was a painter and another a tattooist and comic book artist.
What are you working on at the moment?
Currently I am working on a commission for a regular client of mine. It is nearly life size portrait of her in lots of soft pinks and purples. The majority of the painting will be taken up with her elaborately decorated wings. Another project I am working on is a T-Shirt design for a rock band; a tattoo style dragon holding a banner. It’s the third one I have done for them and they seem to be very popular.
Do you have any words of advice for aspiring artists?
Yes, I think the most important thing is to think long and hard about weather you want to be a professional or a talented amateur. They are two very different things and will effect your experience greatly. Being a professional artist can be very rewarding, but for some people it can take all the joy out of something you love. I enjoy working with a client to make their idea come to life and putting my own twist on it, but if you just want to paint for your self then do that and enjoy it.
To see more of Fran's fabulous work and to join her Facebook Fanpage, click below xx
http://www.facebook.com/SexyGothAngelArt
