Edward Ficklin
Edward Ficklin (he/him), the maverick artist not afraid to say gay, is dedicated to creating erotic art as a pathway to liberation for all. His surrealist work centers the nude figure exploring its own delights, ranging from the sensual to the ecstatic. In defiance of the societal forces attempting erasure by legislation, algorithm, or so-called “community” standards, he delights viewers with imagery of sex and body positivity. His paintings have appeared in NYC galleries like Foley Gallery and the SoHo Project Space, national exhibitions dedicated to erotic art such as CLAW Leather Getaway Kinky Art Show and Tucson Erotica, and numerous naughty, but high quality, publications like Erotic Edges, Doable Guys, and Dirty Little Drawings. He likes his martinis straight up, with a twist, and, of course, made with gin. He adores the grit, freedom, and wild unpredictability of urban existence and continues, likely to the grave, attempts to get that orchid plant to bloom again.
Dazzling dispatches to spice up your inbox!
Plant more trees!
Hello darlings, looking fabulous as always. You may remember a few months ago I wrote about the eery and thought-provoking Three-Body Problem series of books. In particular, the second book, The Dark Forest really stuck with me. Not long after that, I came across the writings of a group calling itself the Dark Forest Collective. “Wait,” I thought, “could that be a reference to the book I just read?” Well, darlings, it is! But it’s not about aliens, it all about us. This collective of cultural...
READ POSTBuilding worlds fast and slow
Hello, darlings, looking fabulous as always. Amidst the banter of an online discussion group for artists, one mod threw out an interesting little prompt (as she’s wont to do from time to time) : Have you ever noticed how the materials we choose shape not only our work but also the way we think and the meaning of what is presented to the world? What do your material choices say about you? I found myself without immediate answers. So here I go, setting about trying to find some. And taking you...
READ POSTAlone in this dark forest?
Hello, darlings. Looking fabulous, as always. As I put the finishing touches on the next installments in both of my ongoing comic sagas (Pleasure Moons and Taking Flight), I’ve been thinking about coexistence and cooperation. Also, given the state of the world right now, the thinking in question is largely concerns about the distressing lack of both. I’m happy to say both stories are built on these two ideas and hopefully show, in their own quirky ways, that we are stronger together. However,...
READ POSTSigns of intelligent life
Darlings, I thought we’d start the new year with a recommended read. File this one under truth is stranger than fiction: The Light Eaters, by Zoe Schlanger. With all that’s going on—and about to come—it can be easy to give into the human-centered doom and gloom. But, I think some time with other, possibly smarter, forms of life might be restorative. Think of it as bloomscrolling. While it is a science book, it’s also a reporter’s journey into a world that we interact with (and depend on)...
READ POSTGhost in the machine
How are you, darlings? Looking fabulous, as always. You’ve no doubt noticed the proliferation of the letters “A” and “I” in all sorts of contexts—warranted and otherwise. These two little letters have become de rigueur for techbro edgelords, flailing politicians, and corporate types. And this goon squad is taking us all along for the ride, willing or not. Confession time: if you hadn’t already guessed, I’m a bit unimpressed with the current wave of what many are calling artificial...
READ POSTIs a flower really just a flower?
Hello, darlings, how are you? Looking fabulous as always. One of my various artistic endeavors is finally coming to bloom. May I present the first batch of the series called Chromatic Desires. Flower and figure, blossom and body. Desire and delight embodied in different but complimentary forms—the same fundamental essence creating an endless variety of manifestations. Flowers bring immediate joy and power with their simple presence, a potent reminder of the temporary nature of all phenomena....
READ POSTLife, the universe, and everything
Hello, darlings. Looking fabulous as always. Today’s missive was started while I was at the lovely Omega Institute in upstate New York for a little fall sojourn. There’s a cute little library with even cuter little nooks perfect for contemplating life—and let’s be honest, napping. Begun, but not finished. It was meant to be a break, right? So, the missive was completed and dispatched to you today amidst the bustle of daily city life. A change in season and change in scenery often produces...
READ POSTGot you covered
Hello, darlings. How are you? Looking fabulous as always. A sporadic, but always welcome, addition to my inbox are the missives from the delightful Adam Rowe about his quixotic and singular passion: retro sci-fi art. In addition to the newsletter, he’s also published a gorgeous book for you to really sink your teeth into. Looking at art on screens is lovely and all, but a big fat book is a great way to savor some art. Illustrations for covers are most, if not all, of the art he showcases. A...
READ POSTThe revolution will not be funded
Alright, darlings, this missive gets busy with some feisty political talk—and, true to form, a big fat complicated book to read! The book is not immediately about art, it comes from the world of violence prevention work. But, it’s about art, too, even if they authors don’t mention it specifically. Hopefully you’ll stick with me on this little journey. We begin at the unlikely starting point of “philanthropy” and the aforementioned book about it called The Revolution Will Not Be Funded. It’s a...
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