For those of you who don’t know me. Hi. My name is Abigail and, as they say, I’m a ‘starving artist’. I love photography, painting, dancing, traveling, star gazing, sipping coffee in the morning and taking long walks in nature. As of February, 2019, I live full-time in a tiny home on wheels with my wife Natalie. We’ve been traveling for almost 15 months and after crossing coasts and countries, we’re settling into our new life on the road.
In order to embark on this new nomadic lifestyle, I had to give up a successful photography studio in Charleston, SC. It took years for me to grow my business and have a reliable income directly from my photography so it was a difficult, scary, but necessary, decision to let it all go. But this doesn’t mean I’m done shooting. I take my passions with me wherever I go and I’m finding new ways to create and grow as an artist.
One way I keep creating on the road is by taking self-portraits.
I’ve always enjoyed shooting self-portraits. Not in the sense that oh-I’m-so-vain, I need to see a bajillion pictures of my cute face… no. I look up to artists photographers like Cindy Sherman who subtly transformed herself in every picture to portray a different expression. Not every picture is about looking beautiful. It’s about baring the soul and showing different sides of yourself or of humanity.
I’ve also always loved classical art, especially the impressionist, think Degas, Renoir, Cassatt. Every single one has made paintings of nude figures. Studying the nude figure is an important part of an artists’ life. I understand photography to be a branch of art, so studying the nude in photo-form came naturally to me. I began taking portraits of myself in the nude, quietly studying the shapes and curvatures of my figure. At first most of this took place in my studio in Charleston. When I hit the road, I began to think how interesting it could be to keep making these portraits but out in natural landscapes. I put my thoughts to action and began creating, using my body as art. It just felt right. After seeing the images I created, I knew I had to do more. The series had begun, but it felt wrong to let these images just sit around on my computer, they had to be shared!
On January 1st, 2020 I publically launched this new series: Abigail’s Artful Nudes.
To be clear, these images come from a place of pure artistic expression and are not pornographic. They’re artful.
Here I’m sharing one image from each shoot I’ve done for this series. I also share a few censored images on my Instagram @AbigailMariePhoto. However the heart and soul of the series can be found on my Patreon account. On this platform, I can share my art as I please while also receiving compensation for my work. Every week I share new images accompanied by an inspirational quote or a personal message. Think of it as a virtual fine art magazine. My subscriptions start at just $5/month. The funds I receive from my Patreon account help me continue working as an artist and I appreciate each and every one of my patrons.
You may be wondering why on earth I’d take pictures of myself in the nude and share them online?
I realize nudity isn’t exactly appreciated or accepted by many people. It’s seen as purely sexual and inmoral. However, for me, it’s the most natural thing. To be nude out in a wild landscape is the most liberating and sensual experience.
“In the city, nudity means something; in the wild, it just exists.” - Mason Cooley
Of course it’s one thing to do something and quite another to share that thing publically. So, WHY am I sharing my oh-so-personal love for nudity? Serveral Reasons:
I hope to challenge antiquated views on nudity and sexuality. Nudity does not equal sex and nude photography does not equate pornography. Nudity is normal. We’re all born naked and unashamed. With this series, I hope inspire others to rethink their own values and opinions on nudity.
It keeps me accountable to continually create and grow as an artist. My patrons are paying me to see new artwork every week and I can’t let them down. I’m committed to making these weekly posts. In order do that, I must create new artwork nearly every week. This is helping me to practice and grow in my craft.
I need funds to pay bills. It’s difficult to earn a full-time income as an artist, especially one that travels constantly! When I had my studio in Charleston, I could make a living booking photo shoots with clients. Since being on the road and not being able to book photography sessions with clients, I’ve had to explore other options. I’m hoping to turn this series into a profitable, artistic venture!
Eventually I’d like to make a book or have an exhibit on this series. Sharing images now and receiving feedback may help me choose which images will make the cut for a book.
I find the female figure to be intrinsically beautiful and artistic. My body is art and it would be a loss not to share it
I enjoy it. This is a very simple reason. Why not do something you enjoy?
I've been a little shy about this in the past. Partly because I wasn't yet ready to expose myself to the world and partly because I didn't have a platform to truly express myself.
Now
I’m ready.
Hello world
My name is Abigail
This is my art.
Thank you for taking the time to come to my blog and learn about my art! If you’re interested in viewing the full series, check out my Patreon
I hope you’ll subscribe and join my Artful Nude journey.
Sincerely,
Abigail
