Practitioner of 'The Art'

[IamWren]

art /ärt/ noun
1. the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for its beauty or emotional power


Jennifer0874 started a thread about a week ago called 'You mean Jon from IT (http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?233247-You-mean-Jon-from-IT)

In it Katey888 said

Great story Jennifer... Nothing wrong with complimenting on a practitioner of 'The Art'... Katey x

Part of Katey's comment got me to thinking about a few questions that I thought I'd ask here.

Who here views crossdressing as an art form? If so, what does it mean to you as a viewer or creator of that art? How does creating this art fulfill you? How does this compare to other creative outlets you might have?

One of my other hobbies is painting. I'm not very good at it but I practice to try and get better. I watch videos to learn and solidify techniques. I try to do it when time allows even if just a little bit. I hope to provoke emotion, feeling and maybe something beautiful. In that regard CDing is quite similar to that creative outlet for me.

I know there are a lot of the members here who crossdress because it is something innate... something unexplainable inside their personality that they feel a need to do.

I don't mean to diminish those members. I'm just curious about those who view it more as a hobby. Have you ever thought of CDing as an art form? I'm warming up to the idea and that is helping me reconcile this part of me that I struggle to accept.

[Dana44]

Sue, I have always viewed the woman's body as an art form in itself. I'll leave some of my pleasure stuff out on how to pleasure that art form. I am a creative individual and Create novels and do art for the book covers. So,on CDing. My style reflects the ability to look like art. Hoot we put makeup on. Face itself is an art and we can present it so many ways. Like eyes in particular. The woman can look like serious art and we try to reflect that.

[Belle De Mer]

Absolutely, it is an art. We are creating impressions, illusions, illustrations, interpretations and experiences and much more, both for ourselves, and those who see us.

[Gabby6790]

Interesting concept, CDing as a creative outlet. Being creative is another thing I (and probably lot of others) stifle. When I was younger I was very much into writing poetry and writing in general. As I got older, life took over and that has been put away.

I can totally see how dressing could be considered artwork. The makeup, the color, flow of the skirt, and even the feel of the fabric.

Truly poetry in motion.

Nice post.

[Nikki Elle]

Sue,

I like the topic! For me there are multiple reasons/desires behind cross dressing, I would summarize as follows:

1) I don't see it as a hobby (I don't care for the term as it implies something more casual to me)
2) I do see it as an art form with respect: to makeup, hair, the visual transformation. The continual need to grow in aptitude, technique, acquiring new skills....to name a few, it's a serious commitment but also fun, enjoyable, and fulfilling.
3) It's an emotional experience - allows expression of feelings and thoughts that normally would be suppressed as a male or not given voice.
4) It's an intellectual experience - analyzing the motivation, the drivers, the though process behind. Why does it fulfill a need, where does the need come from, what is the dichotomy that exists inside me!
5) It's a reflection upon the need to dress, the dressing process, and the final act of presenting. (I've read several threads where the term presentation versus passable is discussed - I totally concur with the idea of presentation) - in summary, the transformation process.

I want to put forth real effort and express myself in the best possible way.

-Nikki

[Veronica27]

I have always viewed my crossdressing as a hobby and in particular an art form. The image of "woman" is one of beauty which has inspired artists throughout history. Feminine beauty has long been the subject of great paintings, sculptures and more recently photographs. As crossdressers, attempting to transform our male image into a more womanly one, is simply one more medium for expressing that beauty.

I have always had somewhat of an artistic temperament. As a young lad, I used to love to draw, and became quite adept at drawing portraits of my schoolmates and teachers. I also enjoy playing the piano and creating my own miniature world through my love of model railroading. Writing has also been somewhat of a passion of mine and in recent years, with the ease of digital photography, I have become an ardent photographer and enjoy planning and composing my photos. I consider all of these activities to be art forms, even though I by no means am a master of any of them. I simply spread myself too thin over many interests to be truly adept at any particular one.

As for your questions, I don't know if I have any answers. I simply enjoy these pursuits, as each one taps into some aspect of my personality that longs to express itself. As one who considers it a hobby, I am coming to the realization that for me crossdressing is a choice and a luxury, rather than a necessity as it must be for those experiencing gender issues. This frees my mind to be creative and expressive.

Veronica

@Nikki Elle:
I enjoyed reading your reply, which was posted a scant 4 minutes prior to mine. I particularly liked how you itemized the various experiences which crossdressing brings to you, especially the emotional and intellectual ones. The only difference between us, as I said, is that I view crossdressing as a hobby, and find that the casual nature of that description is what must appeal to me. I hadn't thought of expressing it by the word casual. In any event, for me it is more about the journey than the destination, and with age, I am enjoying the fact that I don't have to take things too seriously. As a young man I worried about why I wanted to crossdress and enjoyed doing so. Then I realized that I never worried about the same "why's" of any of my other hobbies. Now in my mid 70's, I don't care about perfecting very much; I just want to enjoy.

I applaud you for always wanting to do your best, which I have to admit has never been my strong point.

Veronica

[Nikki Elle]

Veronica,

Thanks for the response....it was such a great topic, I'm surprised more people haven't chimed in. I appreciate your years of experience and your shifting perspective!

[Robin414]

Hi Sayyidah! It's more than a hobby for me but I completely get it, I've often thought the same thing...it's more than just a physical canvas as well, the manerisms and attitude too! 😀

[Kate Simmons]

It was a "need" for myself for many years with no other explanation but that but after I accepted all of my feelings and made them my own, it became more of an art form and means of expression as part of my whole being. I have a lot of fun with it, performing and dancing, but I also have just as much fun expressing my guy side which I never did prior to self acceptance.Works for me. :)

[docrobbysherry]

Interesting thread, Sue. Rite up my alley. While I often refer to my dressing as a "hobby"? It's become something much more! But, NOT the way most dressers think of it. As an expression of their "fem side". For me, it has become enormously social! Which conflicts with my creation, Sherry. Because few T's or vanillas accept her.

Even after 18 years of dressing, I'm not sure I HAVE a fem side! Others here try to express themselves by showing their fem side. But, what if u don't HAVE ONE!?

In any case, whatever I'm expressing, it is an artistic outlet. I'm constantly putting together and thinking about new outfits, costumes, looks, and combinations. While most T's, (as posted above), r trying to hone their chosen look? I'm trying to vary mine as much as I can. So, I can copy the looks of women of all ages, types, and even from the past centuries that I find attractive.:daydreaming:

I make my own masks, shaping gear, and use exotic prosthesis to adjust my shape to suit. I even try to copy women's looks I don't find attractive just to see if I can! Big women, young girls, pregnant women, comic book and movie characters.:heehee:

I was a home made Elsa this Halloween at Disneyland. Hey! I didn't say I was a GOOD artist. But, I have a lot of fun and get a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from this!:straightface:

252901

[Katey888]

....it was such a great topic, I'm surprised more people haven't chimed in.

Give it time Nikki - it may build... :)

In fact I think Nikki's answer is a very comprehensive one, touching on the creative transformation as both a means to an end (expression of something quite different from our drab normality and a way to address the emotional need we feel), and an end in itself (the refinement of makeup, posture,etc. - and in the case of Kates and Kateys, dancing... ;))

I think I may have viewed it long ago as a somewhat aberrant "hobby" - but latter years of wanting to understand why it means as much to me and why the need seems driven by something deeper led me here and to other sources. After a couple years now pondering this, I find that while my frequency may indicate a manageable 'hobby' nature, I feel more comfortable accepting that there is something driving me to express an aspect of femininity not evident in 99% of other, 'normal' males, and my application to 'The Art' just makes for a more acceptable and therefore satisfying transformation for myself - and so perhaps a less obvious 'tell' when my expression finds its inexorable way into public spaces...

Couple of observations as to why the 'hobby' comment might not find as much overt support here as you may think:

- Many members here express either a desire to or actually dress as often as possible - to me, that indicates a stronger drive to not just express, but to 'be' more closely aligned with a predominant female persona - to live the experience, and so art becomes less of a creative process and more of a support function (in a similar way that 'dressing' for a TS is actually just a utility for who they are)

- A lot of folk are uncomfortable with the idea that we might be driven internally to adopt dressing as an expression of something that is not quite right with our internal gender compass - having discussions like this opens up a possibility that the more you think about this aspect, the more it might become possible; even probable... But that's fine - if it helps people manage how they cope with this, I'm all for whatever strategy makes sense for us as individuals.

And if I must be an art form, I'd rather be a Waterhouse than a Picasso... but that's just me... :)

Katey x

[Krisi]

I often refer to crossdressing as a hobby when I need a name for it (as in "You should consider telling your wife about your little hobby.") but I don't really think of it in the same way as having a model railroad layout or collecting antique sewing machines. It's just a convenient and short term.

I have never thought of crossdressing as an art form, it never occurred to me. If it is, it's no more of an art form than when a genetic woman gets dressed. The only difference is, I have to put on a wig, breast forms and padded panties and shave before I start.

[Karren H]

I've always considered it a cross between a hobby and a sport. Spobby..... And a life style. You practice and train and work hard to enhance your skills. I do that when I play ice hockey! And I don't consider myself having any kind of artistic talent. I'm an engineer. I draw lines with a straight edge and a scale. Yet give me eyeliner and I can create an amazing illusion. And I can blend eye shadows together to produce beautiful shades and patterns. I still am amazed when I look in the mirror and view who is staring back at me. Because I seriously don't see myself looking like that at all.

[Amy Fakley]

To me, it is art. The best kind of art, in fact. The kind that is a direct, high definition, reflection of my soul.

Granted, it's ironic that it takes so much cinching, and padding, and makeup, and plastic hair to bring that reflection to life, but that's the crossdresser's paradox, I guess.

I think that's what makes it feel so "arty" to me, actually. There is skill involved. It takes lots of effort, and practice and guitar pedals, and amps, and effects to bring a great song to life as well. Those tools in no way diminish the "realness" of the song ... which when done right is also a reflection of the artist's soul.

So to me, it is art and life ... both fake and real in a complete sense, simultaneously. A beautiful expression of self.

[Stephanie Julianna]

I do think of it as an art form. The same skills I use doing portraits on paper in pastels are exactly the same I use to enhance my good features and play down those that are less desirable. Most men do not have these skills as well as many women. I just simply love the feminine form and face and aspire to achieve that look whenever I can.

[IamWren]

Dang... so many good responses. I really like Nikki Elle's itemized list that talks about the emotional, intellectual and manifesting the need to dress. Thanks for such a thoughtful reply Nikki.

I also like the idea of it being similar to training for a sport because girl.... I'm gonna be honest, walking around in a pair of heels even for just 20 or 30 minutes has made my muscles sore in places in my hips that I didn't know could get sore. Perhaps daily stretching or yoga is in order.

The word hobby does seem to downplay or even trivialize the importance and internal need the some have to dress and express their feminine side though and I don't really like that.

But years ago I used to be a photographer... so long ago that it seems like a past life. I worked for a newspaper as a journalist. But I also exhibited in solo art shows and sold my photographic artwork in galleries and by commission. But despite those accomplishments I never felt like a pro as much as I did a really serious and accomplished hobbyist. Weird huh. I guess because I knew there were others who were way better than me? I don't know.

But even so, I don't think that internal categorization downplayed my desire to create photographic art. I don't think it minimized the 'why'. It was something internal that pushed me to create.

I know it's not the same... snapping a picture and the urge some have to truly feel feminine. But I think for those of us who grapple with the 'why do I do this'... at least for me, maybe knowing that I've always been creative is to say this is simply another medium of creativity.

I don't know... thanks for the responses. Gives me more to think about.
Would love to hear more.

[Josie]

For me it's a lifestyle that I'm compelled to live, so excepting and enjoying it is my only healthy option. In that I'm always in search of perfection or a masterpiece I can see it as an art form.

[IamWren]

For me it's a lifestyle that I'm compelled to live, so excepting and enjoying it is my only healthy option. In that I'm always in search of perfection or a masterpiece I can see it as an art form.

Years ago, a friend of mine and I decided we would start eating vegetarian together. Occasionally one would bring lunch for both and share recipes, etc. But the reasons we did it completely different. She decided to in an attempt to lose weight. I decided to for ethical/spiritual reasons.

Both sharing in the same activity but for different reasons.

Your statement reminded me of that. For you it's a lifestyle that you're compelled to live. For me, more of an obsessive hobby but both practitioners of the art. I like that. I like that a lot. Makes me feel connected.