Early this year, I was contacted by a local artist asking for permission to use one of my photos as reference for a painting he was working on for his next exhibit (whew, long, badly-written sentence right there). I can’t say that this sort of thing happens to me on a daily basis and I’m not one to be overly possessive of my face/photos (or in this case, my lips and left hand) so naturally, I said yes.

This was some months ago and I’ve sort of forgotten about it until the artist contacted me a couple of days ago. Apparently, that particular piece was first to sell at his last exhibit and “is now held by a famous art collector”.

Yeah, I’m a little giddy.

The artist’s name is Ronald Caringal and the exhibit was called “First Impression Lusts”. Lifted from his site:

The next show takes on how physical urges create such an impact on one’s character and sense of being. Man’s desire for physical intimacy and sex is sometimes watered down and delegated to mere craving. What is supposed to be a very intimate physical manifestation has become a meaningless act of self-satisfaction. The difference between man and animal is that even though we share the same urges, ours carry meaning. We can crave food but it is a need that has to be sufficed regardless of craving. What separates us is our ability to be humane.

I believe no one has died for not having participated in consummation.

I believe that any action taken without taking into account that it is done unto another human being, any action taken that is not rooted in respect and appreciation is dehumanizing.

The works show women alongside tempting food or presented in equivalence to as a blunt equation of what certain male perspectives amount to. Sex is a pre-packed commodity and market niche nowadays. We have come to use it so blatantly. It is offered so haphazardly. Sometimes men look at women in the same light as they would a delicious looking ice cream sundae. Watering mouth and all. Diminished brain activity. Some women share the same guilt. We may never escape our urges, for they are also much-appreciated privileges, but it is possible that these urges can be reasons to empower ourselves with satisfying deeper human needs.

The works are done in oil on canvas with assemblage.

He turned this:

Into this:

it was the moment she became too hot to blow

Shit’s awesome, I tell ya.