Thursday, August 26, 2010

Facebook & Censorship

Seems that online censorship reared its ugly face again.  Many of you may know that I rebuilt my Facebook Fan Page about a month ago, because FB doesn't allow you to reclassify your fan pages (I had inadvertently placed mine in the "Local Business" category, rather than "Visual Artist."   I also placed a Facebook ad at the same time to promote the new fan page, using the attached image and asked people to join the Female Figure Art of Vincent Wolff.

Playboy 2004 CGOY Alicia Burley
This ad ran for several weeks, to a target audience 24 years and older that liked Elvgren, Vargas, & Playboy---I occasionally switched from Male & Female to Female only, but the other parameters were unchanged.  On Tuesday, I decided to add males again, and the ad went through a  review, as FB always does.  Wednesday morning, I got an e-mail the the ad was "disapproved," due to restrictions that had nothing to do with my ad.

So, I created a new ad, same image, same copy, same interests as before, except added "Nude Girls," and resubmitted.  Again, the ad was rejected, some of the reasons being (but not limited to) that the image is 'irrelevant or inappropriate'.

Now, Facebook is a large social network, and many people of various age groups and backgrounds are members.  You can't please everyone.  I just find it disingenuous that they originally approved the ad (more than once), but now find it distasteful.  While I have mostly samples of my nude art on FB, all of the 'parts' in question have been blocked out with white boxes so as to to offend people.  Besides, if you saw my ad for the Fan Page, you were pretty much interested in seeing this type of art.


I'm not going to rail against Facebook; it is their site, their rules, and frankly, this saves me some money by not running the ad.  I only wish to know why the ad was approved several times before, then suddenly it no longer conforms.

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On another topic, there is a great site called the PinupDirectory; it is a collection of some of the greatest pin-up artists, models and more.  I'd love to be a part of it, and if you would like to see me there, please ask them to add www.erotic-pinups.com to their site.  The 'suggestion box' is located at http://www.pinupdirectory.com/suggest-a-link/ .

Thanks all.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Would You Pose Nude?

One of the topics on my Facebook Fan Page recently has been for the Ladies: Will you Pose Nude for your Spouse or Significant Other?   It generated a lot of discussion the past couple of weeks, with almost all who contributed stating they they would.

Many of my recent clients have been either husbands or wives, regular people, who have expressed a desire to have an erotic portrait in their homes.  It's actually kind of nice to see couples who still get a charge out each other--who wouldn't like to see his lady as a pin-up or Playmate?  This is a fun part of my job, I really enjoy illustrating everyday women, who normally don't pose or do very little.  Check out the Discussion in the Fan Page when you can.

The subject of today's image, Playboy model Carlotta Champagne, has a new, revamped website. www.carlotta-champagne.com lots of new content, pics, and more.Carlotta is a fantastic model & muse, and a wonderful lady.  NSFW, but you will enjoy her new paid site.  Take the tour.  

Vincent Wolff
www.erotic-pinups.com


Thursday, August 12, 2010

Welcome to My First Posting

I'm very glad to start blogging about my art here at blogspot, and welcome you all, especially those of you who followed my through my newsletters via Constant Contact.  While my association is ending with CC, it will not with you.

As I mentioned in my last newsletter,  a reader complained directly to Constant Contact that my work was "offensive," and while investigating the complaint, they determined that I violated their "Terms of Service"  by posting nude images in my emails.  I was told to remove several images of my art and their photo references.  Since I can't market my nude artwork through a service that won't allow them, I decided to cancel my Constant Account when my billing cycle ended this week-end.

My good friend, photographer Rob Domaschuk, suggested a blog, and I happened upon this space while looking at another blog of model Unbearable Lightness.  At least, I can post 'adult' content here!  :)  And, this is a good way to remain connected with those of you who have subscribed to the newsletters for the past 2 years.

Please feel free to leave comments and thoughts, I'd love to hear them.