Tag Archives: Visual Delights

The Art of Adam Schultz

At a small mountain-town holiday festival this past weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting acclaimed sculptor, Adam Schultz, who was offering a demonstration on his latest piece-in-process, ‘Octopus Princess’, at a local gallery there.  After having shared online correspondence only, it was nice for he and I to finally meet face-to-face and discuss life, love, art and our mutual zaftig philosophy.

Adam and Me

 

'Olive'

I first became familiar with Adam’s bronze Goddess Series earlier this year, when I visited Stoneheart Gallery for a group show titled “Every Body’s Beautiful,” showcasing the diversity of body types through various art mediums. I immediately fell in love with ‘Olive’, whose smile, relaxed pose and candid demeanor quickly captured my heart.

At the time, I appreciated ‘Olive’ to be zaftig whimsy at its finest, however, the Enchanted Zaftig concept had not fully formed in my mind yet.  

It wasn’t until many months later that I became re-aquainted with Adam’s work, when he joined the Enchanted Zaftig Facebook page. Sifting through his photos, I was delighted to see that he was the creator of ‘Olive’ ~ and countless other pieces which are equally resplendent in their voluptuous beauty.

Adam and I share a sympatico philosophy: uplift the zaftig form while bringing awareness to the world.  

“Artwork is one of the best ways I know of to help raise consciousness and change the world. :-) I figure that the more size-positive images of people we get out there, the sooner people will start to realize that there is more beauty to be seen in people everywhere than the one, narrow definition of ‘beautiful’ the media has been feeding us the past 80 years or so.”    

'Prince Charming'

'Pandora'

 

'Kiss Me'

 

'Fibonacci's Girl'

 

'Galatea'

 

“My dream is to install a large-scale, celebratory and beautifully abundant sculpture, wrought in bronze, in every country on the planet.”

I would love to see that dream come to fruition. Art really does carry the power to change people’s perceptions.  Wouldn’t it be great to have the message be a positive one?

'Octopus Princess'

Adam’s latest creation, ‘Octopus Princess, will take a bit of a turn from his usual ladies in the  Goddess collection; she will encompass both beauty and a sense of eeriness ~ a woman-beast, shrouded in mystery and sensuality. I wish I had taken a photo of her backside, because the octopus’ eyes are cleverly planted on her curvaceous derriere. I look forward to seeing the final piece once it has been cast.

Be sure to check back, or visit the Enchanted Zaftig Facebook page, to see the sculpture when it is complete.

You can view other works by Adam, including non-zaftig bronze and stone sculptures, by visiting his website: 

http://www.adamsculpture.com/index.html 

Also be sure to visit:

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On Becoming A Pin-up Girl (Part II)

“The reason you don’t see a good representation of full-figured women on our website or in our studio is because, more often than not, those women won’t give us permission to do so […] and they are the very subjects who look the best in boudoir photographs.”

~ Melissa Lazar, deBoudoir, LLC 

How unfortunate to experience a moment of liberation and beauty and yet be too embarrassed to share the results! Zaftig ladies, why not allow your captured moment to be shared with other women who might, as a result, feel uplifted by your show of courage? Or, better yet, be inspired themselves to shed their hesitations, slip into something cute and sexy and embrace their femininity for an afternoon ~ or for an eternity, even? 

This is why, when asked by Melissa while perusing my portfolio if I would give deBoudoir permission to use some of my photos on their website, I replied with an exuberant, “YES!” Because if there is even a slight chance that I might inspire women of size while simultaneously breaking down societal walls of prejudice and shame, then by all means… let me contribute!

 

 

(On a side note: As of yet, I do not have the bulk of photos from this shoot, but as soon as they are available to me, I will post more. So stay tuned!)

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Filed under A Touch of Inspiration, Musings and Thoughts, Visual Delights

Your Worth

Never settle
For the man who purports to adore you
Who worships and reveres you and touches you in the darkness
But hesitates to proclaim his affection for you in the daylight.
For you are worth far more than that, Beautiful One.
… You are worth the moon and the stars and an entire symphony of song
You are worth the adoration of a man who will delight in your presence
Fully and completely, without reservation.
You are worth LOVE.

©2011 Enchanted Zaftig

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The Art of Juan Alcantara

Lately, I have been blessed with unexpected opportunities to connect with several amazing zaftig artists.

Juan Alcantara, creator of the provocative and lovely “Bottoms Up (Reprised)” painting which decorates the header of my blog here, recently connected with me via the internet. I’ve since had the great pleasure of corresponding with him and viewing more of his work, which I am delighted to share with you.

Red Headed Beauty

Tan Line

 
Juan appreciates the zaftig form without apology and displays his admiration in bold and exceptional ways. Even in quick sketches, he captures the innate beauty of each woman he draws.
 

Well, It's About Time

What?

Lovely Woman

Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon

 

“I believe that inside every skinny woman there is a round, plump, full-figured woman just waiting to get out. Or at least there should be.”  ~ Juan Alcantara 

 

For further examples of Juan’s work, including non-zaftig illustrations and paintings, visit Juan Alcantara.

 

 

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Happy 4th of July!

 ♥ ♥ LET FREEDOM RING  ♥ ♥

Enchanted Zaftig wishes you all a safe & happy holiday!

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Those Reasons Aren’t My Own

Photo courtesy of Kate O’Brien

“I have always been nervous about sharing this photo. Why? Well let’s look into that. Because nudity is looked down upon, because I have been afraid someone would shame my body, because this might come back to “haunt” me. Those reasons aren’t my own, I don’t own them. Those reasons are other people’s reasons. Those things are cultural hang ups that I do not have. It’s kind of funny because this photo references Boucher’s Blond Odalisque… I shouldn’t be afraid, I want to smash this kind of subjugation. I don’t want to be a slave, and I don’t want any woman to  be a slave.” ~ Natalie Perkins

http://www.definatalie.com

www.kateobriencreative.com

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Visit Us On Facebook!

 

Come join our community!

Browse through zaftig art, poems, discussions, musings, humor, links to zaftig-related pages and articles… there’s much to share!

Underwater Study ~ Howard Schatz

 

Rain ~ Michale Parkes

Post your own thoughts, questions and creations ~ whatever is on your mind ~ whatever inspires you.

Interaction is welcomed and encouraged, so be sure to stop by and say hello!

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Filed under A Touch of Inspiration, About, Poetry and Prose, Visual Delights

Rubenesque Burlesque

Black Burlesque ~ Zeldyn-Stock, deviantART

Beautiful Rubenesque Burlesque
Indulging in man’s desire
Lighting his arousal on fire
Answering the call
To tease and flaunt
To please and taunt
Tempting him with her feminine charms
And sensual arms
Ample bosom and playful hips
An insinuating smile playing on her lips
Layers of silk and provocative lace
Falling from her flesh, caressing his face
As the tempo deepens to a lascivious beat
His face flushes with a lustful heat
He longs to partake of her glorious curves
To feast on her pleasure~seeking contours
She winks
Makes him think
That she belongs to him
But it is merely fleeting
Momentary
A brief flash of intimacy
A dream-filled fantasy
As she pirouettes from his view
Leaving behind a voluptuous hue
He is breathless
Aroused
Longing for more
Wishing he could further explore
This beautiful Rubenesque Burlesque

©2011 Enchanted Zaftig

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Filed under Poetry and Prose, Visual Delights

A Painting Inspires A Conversation

Earlier today, I had an interesting chat with an old acquaintance of mine. He and I have not seen each other in almost 20 years. Recently, we befriended one another on that popular social media site that everyone belongs to, and over the course of a few months briefly conversed in chats online that were, for the most part, very topical: “How have you been? What have you been up to?”

This afternoon, however, was refreshingly different. 

At the moment, my profile picture on this popular social media site is of a painting by German artist Caroline Westerhout, entitled ‘Jalousy’.

What is portrayed in this enchanting piece? A young woman peacefully asleep in an armchair? Or a scantily-clothed temptress? 

The dychotomy of the subject is captivating ~ innocence and sensuality all rolled into one.

Needless to say, I am in love with this painting, on many levels. It captured my affection the moment I saw it.

Apparently, I am not the only one. This afternoon, my male friend appeared  online to inquire if that was me in the painting. I replied, “I wish! I would LOVE for someone to paint me.” Which is true ~ I think it would be the ultimate compliment, the ultimate perpetuity of my existence. And if the painting was done in colorful Klimt-like style such as the above-mentioned ‘Jalousy’, I’d be eternally enamored. 

In response to this, my male friend, kind as he is, offered to paint me… with finger paints. All over. Which started a very different kind of conversation.

(I should insert here that as a woman who is very comfortable with her sexuality, I am not easily embarrassed or reserved when suggestive comments are made. Flirting and conversations regarding carnal possibilities are occasionally embraced with amicability, so long as the participating parties remain on a positive, healthy level and ideas are mutually shared.)

Finger paints across the flesh…? Well, why not…?

Cool and moist to begin with, dry and taut on the skin in the end…

But I digress.

In continuation, my male friend proceeded to inform me that, although he’d been attracted to me back in my more youthful, thinner days (and believe me, I was never thin), he was even more  attracted to me now ~ because of my extra curviness. Apparently, he appreciates “having something to hold onto” and has many close friends who agree that a full-figure form is preferable.

It was extremely pleasing to hear. And I hear it more often than one might think.

Although the theory is far from prevalent, and the media shuns it, I am consistently presented with uplifting stories and opinions which solidify my belief that a full-figured body is, indeed, desirable.   

Kudos to my online friend for reaffirming it.  

And kudos to Caroline Westerhout for creating such a beautiful work of art which inspired a delightful conversation.

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