I am taking part in another art exhibition, until the end of May, in the Brighton Fringe Festival called ‘Minge Fringe’ (details below), which is an exhibition that celebrates the beautiful anatomy of a woman’s most sacred area and in all different media. It is truly a stunning and powerful show and I thought I would share with you a couple of paragraphs from my book ‘The Art of Birth – Empower Yourself for Conception, Pregnancy and Birth’ for your interest, as they are about the vagina. You may be asking why I (or others) wish to represent the vagina, or rather Vulva, in our paintings? I hope this briefly answers that question as I think it is about reclaiming a part of ourselves and the Feminine as a whole, which has been so mistreated, distorted and under-represented for far too long.

‘When it comes to female genitalia, there are so many words for the different parts which can sometimes cause confusion. The word vagina is often misused because it refers specifically to an interior structure, whereas the Vulva is the whole exterior genitalia. The vulva also has many major and minor anatomical structures, including the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, bulb of vestibule, vulval vestibule, greater and lesser vestibular glands, and the opening of the vagina. The vagina is like the bridge between the external vulva genitalia and the magical internal system of cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus. The clitoris, a little ball-like organ, is situated above the opening of the urethra and is purely designed for sexual pleasure. Eight thousand nerve endings (twice as many as the male penis) culminate in the clitoris which are connected to the vulva, vagina and the rest of the body. The clitoris, or ‘pleasure central’, allows orgasm without penetration. Orgasms release powerful health giving endorphins/dopamine, the chemicals of well-being and have often been associated with enhancing a woman’s creativity. It is not surprising then that some cultures, who wish to suppress female power and retain docile obedience, surgically remove the clitoris!

The female reproductive system and genitalia are the most impressive parts of being a woman and yet they have been the most shamed, abused and violated. Women have become sexualised objects, where external features define a woman as ‘good enough’ for the male gaze and any natural bodily functions are suppressed or extensively sanitised. The vagina, in particular, is still seen as shameful, dirty or ‘looks wrong’ and the expectation is that only a man can ignite its pleasure. Even language has encouraged negative connotations: vagina is the general anatomical term which suggests ‘clinical detachment’ (Camphausen, R. C., 1996), vulva is a bit vague, and the word cunt is the most insulting word used today but has derived from the Greek fertility goddess Kunthus and the Indian nature/earth goddess Kunti (I’m sure amongst other positive derivatives). In the Middle Ages, the word cunt was the everyday factual word used in England instead of vagina or vulva which was brought over by the Anglo-Saxons. It was also normal, during this period, for streets to be named after the trade that took place there and so a red light district became known as Gropecunt Lane. Gradually the word became associated with prostitution and as women and their sexuality, as a source of power, were feared by men, it is not surprising that cunt has become a derogatory expletive. Thankfully the Sanskrit word Yoni translates as Womb, Origin, Source and Vulva and is somewhat more appropriate in my opinion, albeit borrowed from an ancient culture. I, however, like to refer to the Yoni as a woman’s ‘Divine Source’ because it is the gateway to physical pleasure and the creation of new life which collectively embodies her entire life energy.

As women cultivate a positive relationship with their divine source, they discover the power of their intuitive compass as a way to navigate life. I want to raise awareness and show how unique, beautiful and sacred your divine source is and release the man-made guilt and shame that has been attached to our most precious anatomical gem for centuries. I think the divine source is the symbol of the feminine spirit and where a woman holds her natural power. The anatomical genitalia is only the external expression of a complex internal system of pleasure, reproduction and for the creation of new life. This system embraces the three lower Chakras; the root, the sacral and the solar plexus and their primary function is sexuality, reproduction and energy. This is the centre of a woman’s powerful creative force which ultimately generates her life energy’.

Have a powerful, creative week!

Warm wishes,
Alex xx

*Minge Fringe Art Exhibition, Brighton Arts Club, 43 Providence Place, Brighton BN1 4GE

Painting by
Alex Florschutz

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This event runs from 18th until 31st May 2013.

Starts this Saturday 18th May from 2pm until late!

At: The Brighton Arts Club, 43 Providence Place, Brighton BN1 4GE Brighton

https://www.facebook.com/events/625115674170619/

http://www.goddamngorgeous.com/

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The Lindfield Arts Festival creates a vibrant and dynamic platform for artists, crafts people and performers to showcase their work. Book your tickets online or through our Box Office SWALK, High St, Lindfield.

I will be exhibiting in the Art Exhibition during the weekend so do come along and see some of my new paintings.

VENUE – The United Reform Church, Lindfield High Street.

OPEN TO PUBLIC – Saturday 11th May 10am- 5pm and Sunday 12th May 12pm-4.30pm.

http://www.lindfieldartsfestival.com/

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In June 2013 a group of artists based in and around the Forest Row area will be exhibiting at Chequer Mead’s Greenstede Gallery.

The Ashdown forest has always been a source of inspiration for artists and Ashdown Arts is fortunate to count many skilled amateurs and professionals among its numbers, including painters, potters, jewellers, furniture makers, art tutors, sculptors and many other artists and skilled crafts people.

Exhibiting artist, Gill Bustamante had this to say about the Ashdown Arts group: “I joined the group nearly 3 years ago and am really happy to be associated with such a varied and skilled group of artists. Artists by circumstance tend to be tucked away in various studios, galleries and sheds in this area and not always visible so it is nice to see them all in one place occasionally. I think that since the recession started, art has strangely become more attractive to people generally. We all need beautiful things to lift our spirits! Also, the internet has made art accessible to everyone. Whereas people used to go to an ‘art gallery’ to see art, they only need now turn on a computer or visit the local cafe. Art used to be exclusive to that minority that dared enter a gallery – all that has changed and it is good for the artist and good for their customers as anyone can own original art and everyone should! That said – we hope that lots of people will come and visit the exhibition and enjoy meeting some of the talented artists that live in this area.”

Ashdown Arts has been instrumental in bringing together artists and artisans of all disciplines from the community since it was formed in 2009. It holds one major exhibition every year in which most of its 30 plus members take part. Last year this took place in the Forest Row community centre to coincide with the Forest Row festival in October.

As well as producing art, Ashdown Arts encourages emerging artists to exhibit locally and further afield with the aim to promote the amazing local creativity, available on our doorstep, through exhibitions and workshops while cultivating a partnership with the community.

The group wishes to make art accessible to everyone – adults, teenagers and children – and connect local residents, businesses and visitors through regular artistic cultural events, art workshops and other initiatives.

Among the artists exhibiting will be: Ursula Stone, visual artist and art tutor (who runs the drop-in life drawing sessions and workshops at Chequer Mead and at her studio in Forest Row); Gill Bustamante B.A., award winning animal painter whose work is often seen in galleries in the south east and who teaches at the East Grinstead Learning Centre; Alex Florschutz M.A., who teaches art as a therapy and whose alluring paintings focus on what it is to be a woman: Martin Ash – specialising in portrait and figure painting but with work on many subjects in collections worldwide and who tutors life drawing classes in Wadhurst; Don Collishaw – experimental abstract, landscape and figurative artist; Anette Schwidrowski – abstract painter, photographer and sculptress; Chris West –watercolour and acrylic artist; Wolf Sohngen – Woodworker; Valerie Osbon B.A. – Painter; Jackie Frewing – Sculptor; Sylvia Hassell – Painter; Ann Hitchcox – Potter and Michele Carnie – Jeweller.

The exhibition runs from the morning of Friday 21st June until the end of the afternoon of Wednesday 26th June. From 10 in the morning until 5.00 pm including some evenings if the theatre is open. More info at: www.ashdownarts.co.uk. Chequer Mead Community Arts Centre, De La Warr Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3BS. Tel: 01342 325577

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I thought I would start blogging here as well as on my other site www.theartofbirth.co.uk

Today I’m going to reveal the secret of Pleasure! Oh yes… and just before you go running off in the other direction, stay with me for a moment…this could be your answer to a more fulfilling life. It is potentially a loaded word and can make one feel like we have to be doing something extraordinary or even sexual in order for it to qualify as pleasure. Growing up we are told that ‘life is hard’ and the still prevailing protestant work ethic (‘hard work and frugality’ – which is now more about personal deprivation rather than living within ones means…there is always enough for that new TV it seems!) makes one feel that pleasure is a frivolous, unworthy way to live life. The way the world is working relies on this ethic, if somewhat translated to our current times, but nevertheless it is reminiscent. In the UK we particularly work more than is required, staying late, eating lunch at our desk, working on our computers (checking emails) over the weekend and during holidays. Where is the Pleasure in all of this business? Doesn’t our well-being count?

Women are particularly good at this ball juggling where family, child raising and work comes before their own needs. In fact this ability to forget the needs of a woman’s Self goes much deeper and is rooted in a more complex history. Women have inherited a legacy, and one which still prevails to some degree, that we have to honour the needs of others and rely on the grace of others (i.e. boyfriends, husbands or whoever) to provide our pleasure. If we gallantly take pleasure into our own hands there is more than enough lashings of guilt to keep us going and steer us back into our place of martyrdom. So often I hear “pleasure, I don’t have time for pleasure, I work hard at my job, run a house and kids, pleasure would be a fine thing”! It is as if we are competing for first place in the ‘’hard life’ category and what is the prize? It is certainly Not pleasure! Wouldn’t it be great to grow up being told to only pursue that which is pleasurable and makes us feel good? This is not reliant on money either because let me tell you this, pleasure is actually a state of mind as much as an act of doing! And now is the time to heal this old way of being, take hold of the reigns and go forth in pleasure.

Pleasure, according to the dictionary, is ‘a feeling of happiness, contentment, satisfaction, gladness or enjoyment – something that pleases you. This includes sexual pleasure but it is not exclusive. Pleasure is something that makes you feel good…simple! Cultivating a frame of mind that allows pleasure to permeate every moment of your day can, not only carry health benefits but can be really supportive in those moments when we have to do things we would prefer not to do. Pleasure is also a very personal affair. What works for one does not quite do it for another.

For example, my pleasures are often very simple and in no particular order: Painting is my primary pleasure, aiming to be a good parent, writing, green tea, stroking my cats, dancing for no reason, being in love, massage, freshly juiced juice with ginger, lying in the sun, the sea, flowers, sunsets, Bali, a Sunday roast, open top cars, incense, lighting that gives the allusion of a bright day (useful in the UK!), cuddles with my son, cream teas, laughing etcetera. If I am feeling tired or struggling with something, I will have a break and dance to my favourite song and usually feel a whole lot better. It takes all of two minutes (depending on the length of the song) an amount of time which I’m sure you can all manage.

There may be people who think that it is ‘selfish’ to only think of one’s own enjoyment and not serving other people. Or that one has to take any job because we need the money so pursuing our hearts desire is not an option. I can hear every reason why pleasure is Not possible but what about taking responsibility for ‘creating’ pleasure in your life? Here is an exercise to get your juices flowing.

Exercise:

What brings you Pleasure?

Start by writing a list of everything you feel is pleasurable. Once you have your list, which can be added to at any point, try and slowly introduce them into your life consciously. In due course you will discover how pleasurable your life is and you are the one who has created this pleasure by knowing what turns you on! Your pleasurable glass will be half full.

Have a pleasure filled week!

Pleasurably yours,
Alex xx

P.s. I am co running an 8 week Pleasure Intensive women’s circle very soon in the UK. Check out the information here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/510516158990389/

http://florschutz.com/pleasure-intensive-course/

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Class begins 12 April @ 9:30-12:30 and continues Fridays starting at 10.

What a treat it would be to have YOU there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/510516158990389/

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When: 20/21/22 September 2013

Friday evening, Saturday & Sunday all day.

More Info will come soon.

www.ashdownarts.co.uk

www.forestrowfestival.org

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A Passage Through Time, Looking Back to Look Forward, Women in Herstory

Sunday March 17th
The Dragon Hall
17 Stukeley Street, WC2B 5LT
3pm ~ 7pm

http://womenshistorymonthuk.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/a-passage-through-time-looking-back-to-look-forward-women-in-herstory/

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From: 20-26 June 2013

More info to come…

The post Chequer Mead Greenstede Gallery – June appeared first on Alex Florschutz Art.

The Launch Party will take place on Thursday 6th from 7-9pm (invitation only).

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