When I was little there was a wardrobe in the corner of my parents bedroom where my dad kept his stuff. The top left corner was of particular interest to me. It was where he kept his playboys, rare coins, gun, pot and this one Penthouse Magazine. A veritable pandoras box if you will, and when no one was home, I would raid it regularly.
This issue in particular sparked my curiosity and mainly because of these feathered voodoo ladies licking a snake… “What on earth are they doing?” I thought to myself… I had no idea what it was, but I was hooked. These snake lady images shaped my young mind and influenced my taste. I’ve recreated this feather look for live shows and photos more than once. There was also a Playboy, March 77 that had naked ladies painted red with horns cavorting with Devils, which I found fascinating as well… I even remember in my first confession telling Father Schnnick i had looked at my dads mags. I didnt tell him there were serpents or demons involved. It was one of those things tho, I had to look at them, I knew it must be wrong, and surely I would be going to hell, but I couldn’t help myself! Ha Ha!
When my father passed away in 97, my brothers and I were clearing out his house. I started panicking cos I couldn’t find his mag stash… I cornered my brothers and told them I was getting that. They looked at me like I was mad, they had no interest… Finally after turning his house upside down, I found the gold-mine in a trunk in the basement. And since it has come into my possession, it travels with me where ever I go. Well when I move, I don’t pack it away for trips or anything!! It’s just something I refer to from time to time for inspiration.
The advertising was so amazing!! The Hi Fi Ads!! Come on, The 1970′s photo ad styling totally sexualized stereos! The clothing ads! I would love a Schlitz Malt Liquor Sweater!! Where can I get one?? What is an Erotic Frog?? A tit pillow? And don’t get me started on The Fredricks of Hollywood Lingerie Ads!! Total Class! God I wanted to look like that!! Still do!
At the back of the mag they had these bondage cartoons. Women were these super villians with amazing figures who would chain & gag people. They were portrayed as these hyper sexual alpha females. And these cartoons definitely stayed with me, my next video was influenced by images of this ilk and old bondage art. I think these drawings are way more erotic than photos. Does that make me a perv?? Probably, ha ha!
I always wondered why my dad had 20 playboys and this one penthouse?? Was it because the articles were really interesting? Or did he really like the voodoo ladies like me?? Recently, while looking for some inspiration, I discovered why…It was because my cousin Sean had two illustrations inside. Jimmy Carter & Richard Nixon, and his take on the classic American Gothic pic… He was a genius with such a keen eye and sly wit. He illustrated for many big publications of that time – National Lampoon, Rolling Stone, Playboy and more… I am so glad I still have this, it has shaped my vision as an artist and it will be with me forever.
Click on the pics and immerse yourself in this golden age of soft core porn!
And if anyone finds a Schlitz Malt Liquor Sweater, I am a medium!
Ciao for now!
tiff
Dear Friends,
