What Really Happened During The Erotic Project Photoshoot...

A few weeks ago I had a sacred invitation to join forces with my dear sister & brilliant artist, Aubrie Costello to be a muse and contributor artist of THE EROTIC PROJECT.

A collection of photography was captured - a sneak peek of some captures by Allis Chang below. Prior to the shoot itself, I was navigating quite the tender day of emotions and uncertain if the day of co-creation was aligned.

Take a peek below to go on a journey of what THE EROTIC PROJECT is and what really happened during the photo shoot. We see the finished product, but are we bringing truth and vulnerability in the sharing of the process to get there?

WHAT IS THE EROTIC PROJECT?

It is an inclusive + accessible erotic art project which explores vulnerability, softness, + eroticism as self-care for our collective healing. This is something I feel we need now more than ever.

THE EROTIC PROJECT includes 20+ diverse creative contributors who will be featured in an erotic art publication + prompt card deck, a free accompanying audio book, + a short film produced by Aubrie Costello. 

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT NOW?

The desire for deeper connection + reconnection is calling us in as we navigate + reimagine a new world. But many of us were never taught how to be vulnerable or value a soft, gentle touch within our own self-discovery + reflection or offered time + space to explore, define, + redefine ourselves + our unique preferences. We are disconnected + guarded. We've learned that in the presence of uncertainty, summoning hardness reigns over cultivating softness.

VULNERABILITY HAS A TRANSFORMATIVE POWER.

SO HERE’S WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THE DAY OF THE SHOOT……

I was really f e e l i n g it this day. Tender in all directions. My heart had just expanded so wide after a weekend upstate in nature. I was integrating new states of awareness of my capacity to love my father for the man that he is, unconditionally. To truly honor & respect him in a way that transcends lifetimes or experiences from the past. I could feel a more clear and holy liberation with the masculine as a result. My embodiment was expanding and deepening…oh what a feeling.

I was also being asked to stand clear in what my worth was in a business deal and also in a personal matter. The Goddess was initiating me for the 46558 time and I was ready to be t a k e n - to truly surrender to the vastness of my heart’s capacity. I was feeling the sensation of what felt like heartache (come to find out later after deep meditation that this is actually the toroidal field of my heart expanding - more on that later! ❤️🌹

I’ve learned a lot in 5 years of living alone in mostly sacred celibacy - during ripe years of my life, might I add! There was a lot to do, including a whole lot of nothing (you can hear a lot in the stillness). For years, here I was in my sanctuary you see here, licking my wounds, learning how to unconditionally love + trust myself, creating a life inside and around me that I am inspired and excited about. Then s h a r i n g that in good company & community. It was lonely at times but so necessary.

DO YOU WANT TO DIVE DEEP? THEN START PADDLING OUT…

You’ll eventually find the others that have made the courageous decision to live in their truth too. But you can’t force others to come with you for sake of your own comfort. It’s a choice we make within our own selves. Honoring the capacity of ourselves & others is a pathway to freedom.

SO NOW YOU KNOW A BIT OF THE BACKSTORY….

Which I find really important to share in context. Because this isn’t a situation where being draped in red fabric is 100% natural and comfortable for me, there’s been a l o n g road of surrender and vulnerability that got me here typing this to you, and that process never stops for all of us.

There’s a lot of liminal space in the process of creativity that I have a vested interest in being in conversation around. The artistry is not the final retouched photography, it is the entire process that was taken to create. If we talk more about that, then maybe we can make more art together cause it feels more relatable and possible, yes? Which by the way, no part of my body was altered or retouched for this shoot. Every curve, dimple, scar is there in its purest form to protect the sacredness of THE EROTIC PROJECT.

During this whole learning how to be a full-time living/working artist, I got honest with myself that I am very much so an introvert. For many years I would jam pack my schedule to avoid being in the stillness of my own self. When you’re still, you feel/hear things that require trust to listen to. I need that Sacred Solitude so I know what’s mine and what’s something that I’m picking up on from another. I call it emotional hygiene.

Here, you see the lower half of my frame sprawl out on a vegan sheepskin rug draped in red silk art by Aubrie Costello. We were listening to “Electric” by Alina Baraz feat. Khalid and I allowed myself to relish in my capacity to allow every curve, every tender emotion, everything seen and unseen to be captured for sake of a collective vision devoted to s.xual liberation in it’s purest form.

Sometimes, having a camera around when I am feeling more tender and raw feels almost violating. I don’t know how people more in the public eye do it.

I’m learning to trust that I am safe to be seen. This world has a lot of opinions of free expression & I often think how we can look after each other and our artistic expressions more. P R O T E C T each other.

WILL YOU PROTECT ME & PROTECT THE INTENTION OF THE EROTIC PROJECT, AND BE A SACRED CONTRIBUTOR TO THIS MOVEMENT?

I hope some aspect of this vulnerable share spoke to you in some way. I hope you leave this blog feeling reflective, curious, open + inspired to explore the truth of your heart, the pleasure that exists in the simple moments, the delight of living in your truth, and courage to know that it is possible and there are others waiting with open arms for you in the deep blue.

For more intriguing insights, digital downloads, virtual experiences, and private sessions visit www.lunamaye.com 

Got questions or curiosities into the world of sound? I’m here to help and just one email away.