Erotic Cartoon Artist Gina King

1. Why did you choose the erotic art instead of another art form?
I chose erotic art because I feel I have always had a special touch rendering the female form. I grew up in the "BIble belt" region of the U.S., where there isn't alot of exposure given to the art of erotica. I've always wanted to help show the public that the erotic is not something evil and could hopefully, expose them to something new.

2. Have you always been into drawing or have you also tried other ways to express your art (photography, digital art etc)?
Drawing and painting have always been the main way for me to express my art. My photography skills only go as far as shooting reference photos of some of my models. These shots are far from perfect since I can change any imperfections in my photography when I get out the paint brushes. That's not to say that I haven't played around some in the digital realm of art, but I have never created a major work that way. Painting just comes naturally to me, and will probably always be my favorite way of expressing myself.

3. Do you use models for every drawing and how do you decide which specific model you choose for the image that you want to show in your drawings?
I use models for all of my works. I am constantly shetching out new ideas. These ideas usually have a specific look or body-type in mind, so they will sit on the back burner until I find the right model. When I'm choosing a possible model, her appearance is what initially draws my interest. From there, I get a little more selective. It always make for a fun and pleasant project when the final model that I choose has a great attitude about the upcoming piece, and is able to be dependable. If I make a decision and the model isn't as enthused about the project, then to carry on with this particular model, no matter how beautiful, would spoil the piece. So, I like models to be reliable along with just being naturally happy. The good natured ladies out there deserve some recognition. Teaming up with friendly models brings positive energy into a painting. The attitude makes them even more attractive.

4. What are the greatest changes between your work now and your work in the past?
My biggest goal is to make each painting better than the one before and to continually challenge myself artistically. In the past, I have focused more on the the figure itself. Now, I feel I go a few steps beyond that to incorporate a theme into my work. Accessorizing my ladies and trying to come up with a perfectly mathching ensemble.

5. Have you ever tried to combine photography or digital refinement into your art?
All of my works are done traditionally. I have never done a piece that was partially painted and one part digital. There is always somewhat of a combination with photography in my work, since I use reference photos. With one project in particular, I created a painting, "Kasey's Kitchen", from a work of photographer Albert Ortega. He was very enthusiastic about seeing an artistic interpretation of his own work. I'll be teaming up with him again soon, because we both enjoy seeing how two people can have different interpretations of the same subject.

6. What is the message behind your art?
My work has no deep, inner message. Each one, I like to think, has an individual theme and sometimes a bit of subtle humor if one takes time to look at the smaller details. Variety would probably be the biggest message that my art sends out. I feel that you can work in a specific genre without feeling that each piece has to look the same. I aim to cover as many themes as humanly possible with the female figure, as well as painting women of all nationalities, since the majority of pinup art has mostly had caucasian women as the subject.

7. What is your view on erotic and nude art?
Living here in the U.S., nude and erotic art are not as widely accepted as they are in other regions. I've never seen nudity as taboo, so I don't completely understand views against it. Erotic art is Fun! It is so much more than a "dirty" picture, there is technique and effort behind it, like with any other art. People enjoy watching other people in day-to-day life, televisions, and art. We see people covered in layers of clothing everyday. Why not shed some layers and make things a bit more interesting?