The topic for the week is models and modeling.

I spoke 2 someone last nite who is interested in being in the Hard Candy Calendar. She, like many others, told me that she was not a model. I get that a lot. In fact, MOST of the womyn in the Hard Candy Calendar have never modeled before and don’t plan on taking up modeling as a career. So why r they doing this project? For one thing, cuz they can! And that’s the perfect woman for Hard Candy.

I also get asked about what my requirements are for models. I don’t personally have any. However, a woman who believes in the cause and wants to help is ideal. Hard Candy Calendar has never turned a volunteer model away. Well, that’s a lie. We did once many years ago when we found out a gyrl was underage. We told her to call us back when she turned 18. But other than that, if u want 2 model, u can.

Volunteering to model for a charity makes u deserving of having your picture taken for all 2 c. U are showing the world that u are more than 2 dimensional. Sure, the beautiful ones come out 2 show us what they got. I ain’t mad at them. Sure, everyone cares about what they wear and how they’re presented. That’s how it should be. But that takes a back seat to who a person really is. I ask that all the models bring themselves first. Be yourself and present yourself at your best. Because it’s all about u. “Bringing the Dominant Woman to the Forefront” is our motto and main objective.

By making an effort to be a part of something that matters automatically makes u a model. A role model. You’re about something and making moves. You’re a success at whatever it is that u do. You are a leader and not a follower. A trendsetter. A free thinker. A queen. So relax it’s time 4 u 2 shine!

here we go again. labels. stud, tomboi, androgyn, butch, domme, aggressive… u know the list. “why do we need labels?” the question echoes in every conversation about the subject. well, i think we need them so folks could know what the hell we’re talking about.

“what kinda wall calendar is it, jennifer?”

“ugh… umm… a uh… calendar of womyn who don’t wear skirts too often…”

does that work? is that better? is that less harsh?

i get it. no on wants 2 b pigeon holed. hell, my gyrl doesn’t even go by the term stud and the calendar is dedicated to her! doesn’t really matter. or does it?

there was even a slightly heated conversation regarding the androgynous model Milon at her runway show (TOTR) here in Chicago. Someone felt that she wasn’t androgynous and shouldn’t have even used to the word 2 describe herself. really? really, really? so now we have people who reject labels and tell other folks what labels they should carry.

when Hard Candy Calendar started, there wasn’t a dominant female model in sight. it just wasn’t accepted imagery. now six years later (yes, i know the math: 6 yrs but only 3 calendars. i’ll explain later), there are androgyn models everywhere. i’ve received emails/letters from gyrls/womyn who are inspired an encouraged because they see faces like theirs in print. labels b damned. they know who they are and they see that the calendar is about them. Hard Candy Calendar’s motto has always been “Bringing the Dominant Womanhe Forefront”. Now in 2010 they’re being seen adn presented in full glory but we still don’t know what 2 call them?! really?

Do labels help or hinder? Take the poll on the Hard Candy Calendar website

as u all know the back of the wall calendar features a pic with all the femmes of the 2010 calendar. what some don’t notice is that one is missing. Brandee.
she’s the lady supporting our Virgo stud. she was also helped out in the 2009 calendar with the July spread.

bubbly, fun and outgoing, she’s surprisingly shy in front of the camera. so when she finally came thru 4 her personal photoshoot, i was beyond delighted. i could not resist sharing some of ms. brandee’s sexiness with with the rest of y’all. here she is…

There are free valentine’s day e-cards on the Stuff page of the site.

As a special treat we have some additional photos from this years shoots on the slide show on the home page. During the sessions, I would experience little glitches with my settings and get these wonderful “red” pics. I thought now would be the best time 2 share them with you all. Seeing as how red is the colour of Valentine’s Day and all. Please check them out and let me know what you think.

In addition to that, I have designed a few items for Kinetic Cards & Gifts for the holiday. There’s still time to order and get them for the weekend.

I Love You bear. Decorative words with interlocking venus symbols give a message in a message.

Titled “Our Love” this exclusive artwork using my signature style is displayed on pillows, greeting cards and tile coasters.

There is indeed someone for everyone. This all inclusive greeting cards shows a message of hope no matter what your romantic preference.

There’s more Valentine’s greeting cards & gifts at the Kinetic Cards & Gifts online shop.

so it surprises me when i’m asked about why certain people are not represented. well, i thought i was being diplomatic by allowing the community 2 choose 4 itself. i guess i was wrong. or was i?

after getting yet another comment about the lack of “big gyrls”, i looked over the calendar again. i took note that the sizes of my models are in fact varied. it’s not polite 2 ask or reveal a woman’s weight, but i can say that the ladies in the Hard Candy Calendar start on the low end of the scale (myself), 2 very “healthy” sized individuals. take a second look and u’ll c.

then, i’m also confronted by people regarding the ages. ok, i admit, last year’s edition was full of youngsters but this year has a wider range. being a woman in her late thirties, i ain’t exactly a spring chicken. many of the gyrls are in their early 20s and the years expand all the way up to DJ Levi who just hit her milestone age of 50 last year. I even blogged about it. so i really don’t feel so bad. there is variety within the Hard Candy Stud Calendar.

now my question back is…how come so few see it? did i do a super awesome job with the pics? :)well that’s what i’m supposed 2 do right? or are people looking 4 a more natural, more “real” appearance? hey, if that’s what the people want, i can make that happen. we’ll c what next year has in store.

but in the mean time, check out Hard Candy 2010: AfroZodiac. it’s full of sexxxy studs (and femmes) of all shapes, sizes and ages.

femmes are the invisible gays. people just don’t see us or refust 2 believe that we exist. feminine lesbians are often accused of going thru a phase. or we bisexual, whish is great 4 str8 guys. u see gyrl-on-gyrl (and that phrase belongs exclusively to feminine gyrls only) is strictly for their benefit. seriously, have u see the commercial for the latest American Pie movie? in one 30 second spot, there are 3 scenes of gyrls kissing gyrls. that’s a lot of same sex kissing 2 b a movie about str8 guys. and in allt he scenes there’s a guy watching.

the image of femmes in the media is that we’re objects. toys. we’re never on the front page of a gay magazine. we’re not the picture of gay marriage in the news. hell, for all intents and pruposes we’re just not considered gay.

well, we are.

it’s not just the str8 men that use femmes 4 their own purpose. str8 womyn do it too. if u ask me, they’re the ones that cause the most damage. they’re the ones that spontaneously decide 2 kiss all up on their best friend just 2 get some man’s attention. they reaffirm men’s belief that it’s all about them. or they turn 2 womyn after some man breaks their heart or their nose and somehow they think that’ll change their sexuality. they learn that lesbianism doesn’t heal any wounds when they find themselves back in their ex-boyfriend’s bed.

str8 womyn barrel thru the gay community perpeturating stereoytypes and hurting feelings all the while posing as feminine gay womyn. allt he while real femmes go unnoticed. well how could we be? we don’t have a “look”. we blend in.

while i was putting studs on a pedestal for the Hard Candy Calendar, i inadvertently ignored my femme sisters. last year they got no shout outs, no acknowledgement. and i’m sorry for that. this year, i at least dedicated the last page to them. they need it. i also am putting them up in the gallery. i just wannted to let people know.

we’re femmes and we’re here too. check us out!

she didn’t have experience as a model, but didn’t seem nervous in the least bit. she sat for the photos as herself. without any concern as 2 what others thought. constantly engaging everyone around her in conversation, it was as if there wasn’t a photoshoot at all. more like a small get together amongst friends. without even trying, she put everyone at ease. there were several interruptions but it didn’t shake her a bit. Levilyn let the world do what it do around her and she remained the same. never missing a beat. i felt honored 2 have her participate in this project.

thanx DJ Levilyn

-J-

i didn’t worry about the shoot. i’ve been working with her since the Calendar’s inception. when Hard Candy reinvented itself, so did she. new name but the attitude remained the same. professional, perfectionish, Milon guarantees a good shoot. dressed in her Halloween costume as Jay Z with Laurice as Beyonce by her side, she effortlessly went thru the shoot as if she were unconcerned about the fashion show she was in soon after. not surprisingly, i got great shots. so here we are again. you make the call. go 2 the home page and pic the shot that’ll get into the 2010 Hard Candy Stud Calendar

Ameena was the star of show but she didn’t act like it. she was modest and calm with a reassuring demeanor. the camera loves her. she takes pictures with a quiet sort of confidence. comfortable in front of the camera with no ego what-so-ever. it was just too easy to photograph this chick.

then there was her co-star, Jovan. she’s the gyrl that i wish i met a long time ago. there were moments where i felt like i did meet her before. our first conversation felt like our millionth. Jovan was so open and out-going and familiar. i will definitely be working with her again in the future.

thanx gyrls

-J-

with the black lez community being as small as it is, i ran into CJ again and again and again over the years and she still was not about to model for me. then last week, i see her at the Pow Wow. i had no intention of asking her to model. i figured she wouldn’t care. and 2 my surprised she asked me! nice huh? so after 6 years, i finally got a shoot. and it was good.

good things do come to those who wait, sometimes u get the goods upfront. and i did with Basha. another person i had the pleasure of meeting at the same poetry set. the dancer/actress, already prepared with modeling experience and a flexible and upbeat attitude, she proved 2 b a perfect partner to CJ. i couldn’t be happier with the results.

thanx ladies!