"The goal is not product, but expression.
The goal is not recognition by others,
it is the exploration of self."
I have been photographing the female nude figure for twenty years. In the first decade of that time my images were much more explicit in nature, under my strong belief that every round inch of the human body is sacred, that there is no part of our bodies that is inherently shameful or obscene. Now, that doesn't mean that parts of our bodies cannot be depicted in ways that are demeaning, misogynistic, abusive, or sexist. But those are depictions that pollute that which is in itself sacred and beautiful.
This is a new body of work titled, "Every Round Inch Is Sacred." The creation of these images began with my photographs, but most of them have been edited with photo sketching techniques I have developed. Featured will be lines and curves from every part of the human body, usually those that are hidden.
If you think you might be offended by this explicit art form, please go no further. I care too much about my family and friends to want to offend any of them, but I put off writing and publishing my book "Expansion" for years because my mother was still alive and I worried that my thoughts would offend her. That is not a situation any of us would want for those who are the artists and authors among us. We create because we cannot do otherwise. It is up to others to choose to see or read it, or not. Please be sure to read what I have written below my first image posted here, "Ironic." It will give you background and history into my belief that every round inch of the human body is sacred.
This project is taking courage on my part, but the time has finally come for me not to hide an important portion of my work any longer, but to share it in the same spirit of art and beauty in which it was created.
I always welcome your thoughts, comments, and feedback. I can always be reached at frank@frankleonard.com - Thank you! Frank.
"Ironic"
I begin this body of work with the photograph "Ironic" above. Six years ago I received a rebuke of my female nude figure photography, not the more explicit work you will find here in this body of work, but from the body of work I call "The Nude As Nature." You will find that body of work by clicking on the image of the woman on the rock also pictured here. It includes the very best of my nude fine art photography, where the natural form of the female nude is immersed in the natural forms of nature, along rivers, on mountaintops, in the desert.
Anyway, on that day, this photograph of the woman on the rock (titled "Grandeur") was publicly ridiculed and demeaned. The print reviewer asked the question, "Why is she naked?," and then said to all gathered that nude female figure photography was not to be considered if it was created by a male. She then went on to say, among many other things, "Why don't you go photograph yourself?"
Well, ironically, six years later, having mostly recovered from the trauma of that day, and events that ensued, I am taking up the challenge, not only in photographing myself, but in sharing images of every round, sacred inch of males and females who have entrusted me with portraying that which is most personal to them, their naked bodies and all their glorious parts. So, welcome to this new body of work. It will continue to be developed, so be sure to come back once in a while and check out my latest work. If you would like to know when new images are posted, then email me at frank@frankleonard.com and I will add you to the email notification list. Thank you! Frank.
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