Would it be awful

So I'm all kinds of jealous of you guys for getting to paint all of these pretty bellies. Every time I've tried to talk to a Mom about it I get the "are you crazy" look. It is kind of weird to ask someone to let their belly be your guinea pig. Especially when you don't have any bellies under your belt to prove you're an artist, not a weirdo. So what I was wondering was, eh... er... do you think it would be unethical to try and pass my husband's pot belly off as a baby warmer?

ROFL OH MY WOrD thats AWESOME! LOL
You could try, but it might get "hairy"
or
You could try approaching some prenatal groups, to see if they would be willing to model for you, then put the word out to other expectant moms. Or contact some local Doula groups, midwifes, hospitals, obstetrician offices, etc.

If none of those work, then use your husbands belly for sure

I've found that posting an add on Craigslist offering to do it for free gets a ton of attention. Put a link to a person who gives you permission and say "this is what I'm talking about. Those photos are not of my work, but is the type of painting I am building a portfolio of and need models." And in advance, you can use my website if you like. I don't have a ton of bellies so I might not be the best one, but if you can't get another one, it would probably work.

In the future, if I'm doing a belly for free, I am going to contact the agency that assists pregnant teens. I figure they need a day to feel beautiful and I'd like to do it for someone who will really love it. They're young so they're also more likely to be excited about it.

Don't get discouraged by the crazy face people. Linda painted my belly at a festival and a Grandma stopped by just to tell me that it was absolutely disgusting.

You'll find your crowd that appreciates it, just don't give up.

I've heard of people using someones back & doing a circular design. If the belly's not to hairy, it would work
My hubby loves me, but not that much

Facebook gets lots of feedback for me. I posted a free belly for the first respondant a year ago and got my feet wet. You can link to my website if you like. I have a few there. I'm just redoing my website, so make sure you tell them to click on the ...see more part.
http://www.catzfaces.com/Gallery-BellyArt_more.htm

My daughter's painted there dad's belly with a bustier while he was sleeping...I don't recommend it for a portfolio!

Catz, that is awesome. He must be a heavy sleeper

He forgot to duck through a doorway earlier in the day and probably had a mild concussion...the bane of the 'tall' man! They love to do makeovers on him, he's usually awake during them though.

Whitney, Magna, thank you for offering your links. I might just take you up on it. I really do like the idea of offering to teens- that is inspiration. And, Magna, my husband is built a little differently than yours. About as far away from a football player as you can get! A former bean pole, he didn't get the memo that your metabolism slows with age. So he still has a tall lanky body, just with an adorable little pot belly. I really do think he'd do it for a pan of brownies.

OMGosh Sophie, that is hysterical! I can't stop laughing.
If he is too hairy you can try waxing him OUCH!
My husband does not have a belly He is a coach for P90X, he has a little appearance on the infomercial "proud wife"

Hahaha I have the same issue as you do Sophie had not considered this solution!! LOL ....hold on I'm going to make a suggestion to my hubbers....
LOL! He said "Your not gonna take a picture are you. The'll say what's wrong with that lady!!" Can't stop laughing!! Now he's saying "your not typing what I said are you??"
So good

I like the idea of teen moms! That would be so fun for them!

You might try contacting local photographers that do prenatal photography as well. Explain what you would like to do and show example pictures. I ran a little ad on my mommy support forum (for local mommies but it's set up like this forum) You can try craigslist too, and maybe even in the photography section.

...and speaking of pot bellies, I noticed yesterday that my belly is big enough to paint (just not firm enough to look preggo.) What a depressing discovery!!

I just asked the pregnant women in the office I was working in ... both were willing - one was for a Cancer fundraiser (she was on the event committee) and the other was just for fun.

I like the teen mom idea - also I have considered putting out a flyer at a local birth center we have, advertising the first ten people to contact me get it free. I figure the natural birthers are the crunchy ones who might be more likely to be comfortable with their bodies and sort of spiritual about the process and really get into it - plus the incentive of being one of the first to call to get it free might motivate women who otherwise would put it off or forget.

Haven't done it yet - about the time I started thinking about it was the time I got preg myself and then I was preoccupied!

I'm laughing so hard at Magna's poor hubby. It reminds me of the movie Daddy Daycare! So, if you want to paint your hubby bash him on the head & paint him while he's out cold

At least it's not as disturbing as this tattoo on a man's belly!


I hope it doesn't offend anyone, but I've been waiting for an opportunity to share this really bad decision someone made!

Cat, I'm so glad you shared this. I've been itching to show it to someone every since I found it on a google search a couple months ago. Lol! I couldn't stop laughing until I started to feel bad for whoever the poor person wearing it is.

Oh man, if you guys like those, you should really check out www.ugliesttatoos.com

Oh my! I can't stop laughing!!!! I wonder if he was drunk & woke up with that pretty

I was at the DMV once & a lady had howling wolf pups on her back. One's head was on backwards & another had a leg on backwards.

AAAhhhhhh!!! LOL!!
Magna that is disturbing and hilarious

LOL I *LOVE* ugliest Tattoos! Ever see the poor shmuck who had his passed on GF tattooed on him? Lovely girl...tattoo looked like a troll!!! There are some REAL unfortunate decisions out there. You never want to judge someone on looks, but I do admit...when I see REALLY foolish tattoos....I question the owners' intelligence and decision making skills!!

@Linda - was it hard to muffle the giggles at the broken and abused wolf cubs?? WHAT was that lady thinking???????

Yes, it was... I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt & think she never actually looked at her back

CATZ wrote:Facebook gets lots of feedback for me. I posted a free belly for the first respondant a year ago and got my feet wet. You can link to my website if you like. I have a few there. I'm just redoing my website, so make sure you tell them to click on the ...see more part.
http://www.catzfaces.com/Gallery-BellyArt_more.htm

Your peacock belly is absolutely fantastic!!

I don't think tattoos like the cat are stupid at all! I think that person just has a hysterical sense of humor. All of my very best friends are tattooists and/or heavily tattooed, and let me tell you they have some doosies! The people with truly stupid tattoos are the ones like Linda saw with the wolf pups, that don't shop around to find the best artist. If you are shopping for the best price for a tattoo you are a dumb ***. A "bargin" tattoo is never a good idea.