February 2008
Part One
LEATHERBEAR ARTICLE 28: (2-2-2008)
LEATHERBEAR ARTICLE 28: (2-2-2008)
INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD RANDA
AKA NIMIDUS, CLAW ART SHOW DIRECTOR
View full size
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Share your favorite quote with us.
NIMIDUS: From “The Gorchan of Maeldrew”, “Each atom an evolving life, each blade of grass, a potential soul.”
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about your name “Nimidus”.
NIMIDUS: My name is a combination of several things, phonetically it comes from the Latin Nimidae, which refers to ancient sacred groves of Oak Trees used for Druidic worship during the invasions of Gaul at the time Julius Caesar’s Roman Empire. I was drawn to the name for two reasons; one of ancestry, I am mostly English and Finnish with a smattering of French and two, relating to the duality of my personality, one privately celebrated and the other publicly displayed..
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Tell us what “Art” means to you.
NIMIDUS: In my opinion “Art” has three purposes within any given society, one a visual representation of the times more or less a factual representation of climate and conditions of a society, two outward presentation of the inner self, the mind and emotion, and three art for the sake of art, meaning the creative act of expression itself through all forms of art.
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about your passion for “leather”.
NIMIDUS: This is a difficult question is it the lifestyle or the image you refer to? To be honest “leather” is symbolic of so many facets of an individual and their passion, to what degree of “leather” be it a fetish or a lifestyle is based on their journey of self-discovery. In my case “leather” invokes a deeper erotic commitment to another meaning stripping away commonality and diving into the deeper erotic self where the mind and body connect in extraordinary ways, elevating all the senses.
View full size
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about yourself.
NIMIDUS: I am a fairly young 50 so I am told, a lot of exercise and diet. I am 6’1, weigh 185 lbs. Measurements are 46-inch shoulders, 44-inch chest, 18-inch arms, 32-inch waist, 22-inch thighs and 20-inch calves. As to hobbies, I have to say I have no one thing that stands out since I wander in so many directions, I do however enjoy traveling, gardening and above all engaging conversations.
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about your involvement in the leather community.
NIMIDUS: As I have just mentioned, we are all on a journey, I have always been interested in leather and everything it embodies, it is not until the last few years that I have become involved within the community and most of it has been through CLAW and its amazing board, volunteers and attendees.
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about the Art show that you produce, design, and procure every year at CLAW.
NIMIDUS: I was asked three years ago if I would be interested in putting together a small art show featuring artists within the leather community with works representing BD/SM erotism. The opportunity was a challenge, not only to find the artists for the show from around the country but also to represent the art in a gallery setting. The first show occupied a meeting room within the hotel with over 40 works representing all artistic media, the second year the show was moved to one end of the grand ballroom, which featured over 20 artists with works ranging in size from 8 by 10 to 36 by 48. Each year I have taken a theme and built the show around it for example the first year was realism (photography) to abstract, with the colors of the show being blue and gold, I chose those colors to represent the art in a regal way, visually the tabu art to some became more appealing and acceptable all pieces were hung on blue free standing walls linear in design. I felt it was time to present real art in the best way possible, there are many great artists that only do erotic art and have had no venue to display in, thanks to CLAW and it’s founders now they have.
The second show had an Egyptian theme, i.e., MASTER/slave dynamics, the gallery was a separate space created by building faux walls reminisce of an ancient temple complete with a columned portico entrance… all works were displayed on free standing white walls. This year’s show will be housed in a totally separate space near the host hotel with an industrial theme. Each year I scour the Internet, rely on friends or receive emails from interested artists to put on the show each year. All artists submit three works for review by a panel of judges and then once accepted artists either ship their works to the show or attend the weekend event. A special thanks always goes to the artists that participate since each one donates one work from the show to be auctioned off for charity.
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about your Artwork.
NIMIDUS: My Artwork, well I dabble in many media artistically, my favorite media though are pen and inks and watercolors. I create a lot of works involving nature as well as erotica. I have several series of note cards available for sale, some nature oriented and some symbolic of the leather life style. I do photography as well as mural paintings. If interested my works can be viewed on my website nimidus.com. Other that two-dimensional art, I design and create spaces for shows and businesses.
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Tell us how your Art show focuses on Leather Life and erotic art and how it empowers our Leather Life style(s).
NIMIDUS: The show itself is a platform to represent a lifestyle in a positive way without censorship and/or judgment. Each work is representative of not only the lifestyle but of the artist. Each year I have been amazed at the creative talent of so many in our leather community and feel honored to be a part of a greater movement. If you go to the show you will see various representations of erotica and as you view each work, you will get something from it, and that is what art is all about a reaction. I stated before that thanks to the idea presented by CLAW to have this venue empower not only the artist but also we as individuals to be whom and what we are.
View full size
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about your coffeehouse.
NIMIDUS: If I am not doing art or consulting, then I am at the coffeehouse with my partner. Our web address is willowcoffee.com, which is a sponsor of the art show as well. We opened the coffeehouse four years ago this April with an idea to create an environment conducive to relaxation and friendliness with out the commercial feel of most coffee establishments. Our main service area was built to represent an old world tavern complete with Mahogany bar and backdrop. There are baristas are like bartenders with out serving shots, unless it is espresso. We have a great group of regulars who like to sit at the bar for sometimes interesting discussions. The back area we like to call the Theatrical Patio, it is an area with wall murals depicting a courtyard with several willow trees appearing planted around the room with old wood tables scattered here and there for reading or quiet conversation. The back area features a garden complete with a running fountain and world music beats.
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about your Partner.
NIMIDUS: What can I say about Mark, one of a kind to put up with an artist like me, I say I have an idea and his response is oh no! We are best friends first and business partners second, which has lasted for over 7 years now. Mark is creative in his own right a people person and is always there to give support. I am very lucky to have met him years ago. He is a great caring and compassionate man, and he is my support.
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about CLAW and all of your experiences from this event.
NIMIDUS: There is so much to say about CLAW not only the event itself but the individuals that attend and all the many, many volunteers that make the weekend event such a success. CLAW was started as an evening, a bar night to be exact and then grew into a weekend and now has grown in leaps in bounds in such a short time. There is of course the host hotel that is full of hot leather men, an opening celebration, parties all over the city each night and an amazing closing party. This will be my third year attending and again I will be amazed at how wonderful and caring and laid back everyone is, I have heard several times in the last two years, individuals say I don’t want to leave at the end of the weekend promising to come back next year after friendships are made. What makes CLAW unique is the people involved the volunteers and the attendees, no pressure, and above all acceptance into a brotherhood of individuals in the leather community.
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Tell us about your favorite places to travel.
NIMIDUS: I do not travel as much as I would like but when I do I always seem to end up in New Orleans for some reason more often than anywhere else, Chicago runs a close second.
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Why and how long have you been involved in the leather community?
NIMIDUS: The reason I am involved in the leather community is simple. It’s to take a stand as to what I am and what I believe as an individual living in a free society. My involvement as you know is recent and I look forward to becoming more involved through the coming years not only with CLAW but other events throughout the country.
WVQN LEATHERBEAR: Do you have a dungeon or play space? Tell us about it.
NIMIDUS: Good Question, do you have a kitchen? Of course I have a place to escape and let loose in, a healthy requirement in an otherwise busy world. Not sure if I should tell you about it, since it is my escape and I kind of choose who I let in after some discussion, but I will say design is important only to you the individual reflecting your inner self, your animal side if that makes sense. In my opinion when considering a play space do not hesitate to put in it what you feel, be in touch with your erotic side and created a space conducive to your appetite, this is one place where formality and practicality should be thrown out the window. I have always said when two individuals are naked there is nothing but truth, nothing to hide behind so make your play space with that in mind, indulge your fantasy, your reality, your sexuality.
A special thanks goes to Nimidus for speaking to all of us this week about his Artwork. As we end this week, let’s take a moment and think the favorite quote of Nimidus. From “The Gorchan of Maeldrew”, “Each atom an evolving life, each blade of grass, a potential soul.”
In Leather Bear Pride,
Steven Tompa
steventompa@yahoo.com
Leather titleholders attending from four states were John “Flash” Prichard, Mr. Great Lakes Olympus 2007; Nick Daemous, Mr. Pittsburgh Eagle Leather 2008; Steve Tompa, Mr. Mountain Leather 2007; Dr. Slade Andrews, Mr. Kentucky Leather 2008; and Jeff Knauff, Ohio Leather Sir 2006.
Bear titleholders attending or giving their support were Herbie Vinson, Mr. Mountain Grizzly Bear 2007; Steven Sigmod, Mr. Mountain Daddy Bear 2007; Jo Dawg, Mr. Mountain Bear 2007; and Marty Adams, Mr. Mountain Bear Cub 2007.
02/15/2008 WVQN LEATHERBEAR ARTICLE 29:
02/15/2008 WVQN LEATHERBEAR ARTICLE 29:
MOUNTAIN CLAW NATION LEATHER BEAR PARTY
HUNTINGTON WEST VIRGINIA
The heart on the leather pride flag shined bright on the night of February 8th at the Mountain CLAW Nation Leather Bear Party at the Polo Club in Huntington, West Virginia, raising $1,500.00 with beneficiaries of Tri-State AIDS Task Force and Leather Archives & Museums. The success of the event was a result of teamwork and involvement from so many kind-hearted individuals in our community.
View full size
Leather titleholders attending from four states were John “Flash” Prichard, Mr. Great Lakes Olympus 2007; Nick Daemous, Mr. Pittsburgh Eagle Leather 2008; Steve Tompa, Mr. Mountain Leather 2007; Dr. Slade Andrews, Mr. Kentucky Leather 2008; and Jeff Knauff, Ohio Leather Sir 2006.
Bear titleholders attending or giving their support were Herbie Vinson, Mr. Mountain Grizzly Bear 2007; Steven Sigmod, Mr. Mountain Daddy Bear 2007; Jo Dawg, Mr. Mountain Bear 2007; and Marty Adams, Mr. Mountain Bear Cub 2007.
In addition to the leather and bear guys from four states performing leather and bear stage fantasies donating their tips, raffled their leather jocks, were paddled for dollars, and sold jell-o shots and boots-to-balls raffle tickets, we are truly blessed in our Mountain State with folk like Dave Bays and his sister who are the new owners of the Polo Club, Bill Tucker from Huntington who made jell-o shooters and was involved from the beginning stages of planning this event, Julia Deville who is show director at the club, all the entertainers who performed, the DJ, the bartenders, the doorman, and the cleaning staff of the club. A thanks goes to Garrison Designs for donating over twenty bouquets of blue, black, and white balloons each accented with a red heart. Special applause goes Emcee Extraordinaire Stephanie Michelle Williams from Charleston for a superb job emceeing this event. Appreciation also goes to all of those who attended the event from the Mountain State Leather Knights, the Mountain State Bears, West Virginia Rainbow Pride, Tri-State AIDS Task Force, Charleston AIDS Network, and the newly formed LGBT support group “We’re OK in Charleston”.
Master sponsor for the CLAW Nation tour is Recon. If you haven’t been on www.worldleatherman.com or one of the related recon sites, it’s free to join. Gold sponsors for the tour is StraightHell.net , Square Peg Toys, Folsom Street Fair, DJM.Arana, and Swiss Navy Lube. Mark your calendars for the next Mountain CLAW Nation Leather Bear Party at the Tap Room Saturday March 29th. For CLAW Nation tour parties in other cities, click here: CLAW Nation Tour 2008
Master sponsor for the CLAW Nation tour is Recon. If you haven’t been on www.worldleatherman.com or one of the related recon sites, it’s free to join. Gold sponsors for the tour is StraightHell.net , Square Peg Toys, Folsom Street Fair, DJM.Arana, and Swiss Navy Lube. Mark your calendars for the next Mountain CLAW Nation Leather Bear Party at the Tap Room Saturday March 29th. For CLAW Nation tour parties in other cities, click here: CLAW Nation Tour 2008
All of these tours are leading up to the seventh annual CLAW Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend April 24-27 in Cleveland, OH. It features three days of parties, education, vendors, entertainment, banquets, dungeon parties, art, film, and much more. There is no leather contest at CLAW. In 2007, CLAW raised over $32,000 for their charities, bring them to a total since it started up to $87,000. Check out www.clawinfo.org to register now.
In Leather Bear Pride,
Steven Tompa
steventompa@yahoo.com
In Leather Bear Pride,
Steven Tompa
steventompa@yahoo.com
bravenet.com