Welcome to our "Diary of an Erotic Artist" by Kathryn C. Hitt

A wonderful new addition to Bared Souls!  This page is intended to inform everyone of what's happening here, step by step, giving an interesting peek behind the scenes, brought to you directly by the women behind it all.

NEW POSTED Monday August 9, 2004:

I'M BACK!

It has been a while.... too long.  But at the moment I am working on setting up my very own studio!

Of course you can imagine my excitement.  Now I will have a dedicated space where I can work and create.  Although, organizing my things is going to be an interesting process, but you will see the first fruits of my labor very very soon!

In the meantime I will continue on updating the 'Erotic Literature' and bring you new stories as well!  I do want to thank everyone who has made it possible for me to create, and I also have to thank everyone to date who has contributed to the content and success of this web-site.  Thank you for baring your souls with me!

POSTED Friday March 7, 2004:

Well, well, well...

The erotic literature portion of the site is growing much faster than I anticipated. 

I am already posting chapters of "SADOBABBLE" by Sadie.  It will take me a while to have all of these wonderful chapters on the site, but I will probably be working on it for the remainder of the weekend.  I also will be posting that new story by Nullius, and also another short story from a new writer to Bared Souls, Misha.  I also just received an e-mail from another writer interested in doing an exclusive story for Bared Souls, so we will see how that develops.

This week, I made my routine trip to The Art Store in Berkeley.  I love this store, I could spend all day, and quite possibly ever penny I have in that store.  In addition to my typical supplies, I also replenished my paint supply, and bought some new brushes and two small canvases.  I plan on working on some more difficult painting techniques, so I am thinking that starting small will probably be best.  I find it so easy to get completely carried away with all of these wonderful monumental ideas that are constantly invading my mind that I can forget to step back into reality.  So I think these two canvases are destined to become smaller but very detailed genitalia studies.

I have completed the ink stage of the new make nude piece that I have been working on, and I am happy with what I see so far.  This will be a lighter piece than the previous one because I really want to show how the light falls over his body.  I have yet to begin the new Kelly Kole portrait.

I only wish that there was more time to work on my art, instead of working on the administrative details of the website.  Who knows, perhaps I can corner, pin down, and train someone to delegate some of this work to!

POSTED Friday February 27, 2004:

Hello,

I have some brief site developments to share with you.

The addition of more erotic literature is looking very promising.  I expect to have a new piece from Nullius posted shortly after March 1st.  I have also finished contract negotiations with Sadie regarding her literature as well.  I will keep you up to date as these prospects develop.

In the meantime, I am working on a few more pieces.  One will be a solitary male nude, another will be my first Kelly Kole portrait.  I have already selected the four poses of Kelly Kole that I will be using for these pieces.  I plan on posting the progress of my new works, as they are completed, on the "New Art" page.

-KCH

POSTED Friday February 26, 2004:

Good Evening,

Well, I am happy to say that I have finally been able to scan my newest piece "Midnight Kiss" so that I can share it with you all. 

I am very pleased with the results that I see from twisting my technique.  The depth and darkness of the piece are perfect. 

Looking at the piece I also feel a certain contentment that I felt with my last work, "Always".  The piece is undoubtedly sexy and provocative, but it also possessed a sense of closeness and I find it very tender and loving.  The serene way that he is gazing down onto his partner portrays his love.

This piece is currently on the 'Available' Page if you are interested in seeing the piece in detail.  It is a bit more raw in detail than my usual work, but I found that leaving some pencil lines were necessary, as when I blended them all away, I lost the darkness that I believe is so important to the feel and look of the piece.

In addition to posting the new work, I have also added the "Men Gallery" to the Galleries.  I felt that it was appropriate to create another gallery for a different audience.  Although I still plan to post female nudes and lesbian art in all the original galleries, I felt that this was one subject that was not necessarily less popular than my typical art, but that putting the collection all together was more beneficial to all the viewers of this site.  Also, I feel that it deserves a gallery of it's own as a commendable erotica genre.  However, for those viewers who are not interested in gay male erotica; if you don't like it, then just don't look!

My though on all of the adult arts and industries is very simple.  If you don't like it, don't look at it, buy it, subscribe to it, or participate in it.  You have that right.  Just as you have the right to look at it, buy it, subscribe to it, or participate in it if you do like it.

I myself feel very blessed to have the right to create it.

Enjoy!  Or Don't!  It's up to you!

-KCH

POSTED Friday February 23, 2004:

Good Evening,

Today I began work on my first piece that I have designed specifically to take to the Bobby Cook Studio 8th Annual International Erotic Art Show.

This is my first piece of serious gay male erotica, and I find it very exciting to try something new.  It's like stretching all my muscles after waking, and reaching out as far as I can with all of my limbs and all of my strength.  It feels wonderful.

I am also trying something new with my technique.  To create the illusion of the couple being in darkness, I knew that a lot more depth would be needed to make the piece seem realistic.  To try to create the darkness effectively, I took my ink process one step further.  Much like when I illustrate latex or leather fetish clothing, I have darkened in much more of the piece in ink to show the darkest shadows. 

Initially when I finished the ink stage this evening, I wasn't sure if I had made the right choice.  Honestly, it did look strange, but only because my usual ink outlines are so clean and crisp.  Even though I di use different line widths, I usually just use the thinnest width line for my first inking stage, and then after I have completed the graphite, I go over the work again, darkening certain areas to get the blocks of black as clean as I can, and I also add different widths of ink lines to certain areas to create shape and shadow.  So, in this piece I basically saved the graphite for last, and added much more shape in ink for the shadows.

However, when I began the graphite process, I could finally see that my experimentation paid off!

It looks very nice, much deeper and darker than usual, exactly what I was hoping for!

I am currently 50% done with the graphite, so I would say that I am 80% done with the piece in general.  I am not posting the piece until I am done, because I did make so much progress this evening.

-KCH

POSTED Friday February 22, 2004:

Hello Again,

While I have finished the commission piece that I have been working on for a while, I am sad to say that I will not be posting the artwork on this site. 

The reason that I am unable to share this gorgeous piece with all of you is due to the actions of the buyer.  This piece was originally requested months ago, and was intended to be a tattoo design for a buyer who assured me that they were serious about the piece, and were willing to wait for it's completion so that I could finish other projects.  After the piece was 80% completed (meaning that the design and ink had been completed) and they had seen the piece at this stage, the buyer seems to have decided to back out of the commission, and ignore all contact with me.  I can only assume that this buyer decided that this was a good opportunity to have someone complete designs for them for free.

The reason that I am posting this information on the site is because not only have I teased everyone promising to post a new and exciting piece of erotica, but also to let other potential buyers to know that this kind of treatment will not be tolerated! 

Going forward, I will only be accepting commission work from a potential buyer who can prove their interest by placing a $100-$250 deposit on their commission before work is to be begun.  I have posted new commission request policies on the "Art Sales" Page to answer any questions in advance.

More personally, I find this situation to be very sad considering the fact that I designed an absolutely breathtaking piece for this individual, and offered my services and a fantastic price as well.  They might have gotten the ink outline for free, but you should see the work with the graphite completed!  WOW!  But in the end the fact is, this person not only wasted my time, but they also lied to me.

I regret having to make this decision, but having numerous problems with potential buyers due to the environment of the internet and the adult industry, I have to move forward and take the value of my art and my time more seriously.

-KCH

POSTED Friday February 19, 2004:

While I am updating my site links, and finally posting the link exchanges that have been requested for Bared Souls, I posted my site on AMEA World Museum of Erotic art.  They have an option to vote for your favorite artists.

Please take a moment and vote for me and Bared Souls & CLICK HERE!

I will also be posting another column for "The Scarlet Letter Box" this evening.  These columns are written by Scarlet, a good friend of mine, who is also a great lover of erotica.  Please feel free to take a moment, check out her column, and send her off an e-mail with your erotic and sensual questions. 

Currently, I am two steps away from finishing my commission!

-KCH

POSTED Friday February 18, 2004:

Good Evening,

I am currently winding down from the excitement this weekend and getting back to business. I have a few projects up my sleeve, and a few more that are creeping their way onto my agenda.

At the moment I am working on a commission which I am very excited about.  It is turning about absolutely stunning.  I think I am going to keep this one under wraps until I am ready  to unveil it in it's full finished glory.

I have also been in contact with Kelly Kole.  If you are not familiar with her work, she has not only graced the prestigious pages of Playboy© but she has also been featured on HBO's© The Sopranos©.  She possesses a very striking build and I feel that her features will look exceptional in my Photo-Realistic style.  I have chosen four pictures of her and I will be completing four works from her poses.  The first of which is her own commission, the remaining three will be available on the website as well as my gallery appearances.  

I am also contemplating showing at the 8th Annual International Erotic Art Show in Phoenix, Arizona this May.  This show is hosted by Bobby Cook of Bobby Cook Studios every year, and focuses on gay erotic art.  So, in addition to the cost of attending, I know that I would prefer to complete more relevant pieces to show.  I estimate that I can probably complete an addition 6 pieces just for this show, and possibly a few pieces that are detailed ink drawings as well.  It will be a challenge!

-KCH

POSTED Friday February 15, 2004:

Hello Everyone!

This is my first entry in the diary, but it couldn't come at a better time!  I have wonderful news!

Recently I heard about a wonderful erotic art show that is held every year in Monterey, CA.  I was very excited to find such a great event so close to home, and so even though it was on Valentine's Day, my husband and I knew that we had to attend.  Although I knew that it would be difficult to complete my newest piece "Always" in time for the show, and manage to frame all of my work, I knew that it would be worth the hard work.

The show, which is their tenth time to host the event, was an amazing evening.  There was not only very impressive erotic art and photography, but there was also great entertainment.  Live music, fire and belly dancing, nice things to eat and drink, and also an erotic art contest.  Our hosts were also impeccable with providing the most thoughtful details, considering I was met at the door, and greeted with a beautiful long stem lavender rose.  Over three hundred people attended the event, and it was undoubtedly a success.  It was a great event and I must say that Monterey is an absolutely beautiful place to spend Valentine's Day with or without the erotica.

My work was very well received considering I was a newcomer to the show, and I was honored with my newest work being voted "Most Erotic Painting".  There were only three categories included for the attendee voting, and I am so happy have been recognized when there was so many wonderful works there which were all so different in style.

Thank you to Josh and Brad for hosting the event, and thank you to everyone who attended and voted.  It was a wonderful evening!

-KCH