2

Simon Mills: I'm aware of the danger of falling into stereotypes, but I know I'm not alone in perceiving your work as having a feminine quality. Are you aware of this perception? What has been your experience working as a woman in a medium not often associated with these qualities?

GATHERED

Christy Sheffield Sanford: I had a tall, dark and handsome biker boyfriend for a while. We looked striking together, very yin-yang. He was Polish Sicilian with the Mediterranean predominant. Oh, yes, I'm aware. I'm from Georgia. I wear hats. Nina Simone singing Langston Hughes' quote, "Make sure you tell 'em exactly how it is so they'll have no place to hide."

"Feminine" can refer to questions of gender or the accoutrements, the "trappings" of identity. On occasion, my imagery has been inspired by Gautier and Versace—explorers of ultra seduction. As do fine artists, designers wrestle with lines, texture, color. True, societal fads differ from physical sexuality. But, style often mainlines to issues of power and control, usually of women over men, but also over their own lives.

2b

WRAP-AROUND

My mother worked as a fashion illustrator for Leon Frohsin, a high end shop in Atlanta. She'd bring home gowns, which I'd model for her to draw. Shantung, taffeta, beaded chiffon by Valentina, Givenchy, Dior. I fell in love with patterns, design, the tactile qualities of fabrics. More than textures, furry, satiny and velvety were ammunition.

CIRCLE

In my work, female body images abound: breasts, vaginas, ovaries, also male body images, and people coupled or threatening to couple. Unlike O'Keeffe, I deny nothing. I'll play with an image and suddenly a feature appears that is engaging and sexual. Instead of averting my eyes, I lock on.

For me, sex is the highest form of communication and a worthy thematic element. It involves prized areas of existence: sensuality, acceptance, ecstasy, eroticism, passion, playfulness, choreography and speaking in tongues. Paradoxically, the primal path offers a civilizing influence and the greatest chance for peace, for love. Experimental literary circles mock this arena. Part of the cynicism and despair of our age.

2c

GORED

Working in any artistic medium as a formalist is lonely. Add to that the femininity and you've a formula for not being invited places—if not outright dismissal. I've presented at MLA, AWP, Pratt, Stevens Tech, Hollins, venues in France and England—numerous campuses and conferences. I've also been ignored at prestigious events recognizing the brightest and best—the pioneers. In an online class where I was a guest, a learned professor entered blowing a raspberry.

2d

PENCIL

Male-run media sections of English Departments award critical attention often to each other through conferences, articles, reviews. At the turn of the century, I had thirty-five projects online. The Roots of Nonlinearity: Toward a Theory of Web-Specific Art-Writing is full of ideas. They missed it. Water~Water~Water? The RockGarden of Love? Moving Toward the Light. Bigamy in the Desert. Like prigs confronted with a frontal male nude by Mapplethorpe, poobahs cover their eyes.

2e

SHAPED GODET

Why continue? The work itself is highly reinforcing. Seeing a page come to life is its own reward. Letting the image inspire the text and vice versa is exhilarating. Scripts and layouts influence what I have to say. The freedom to develop ideas in a new form is bliss. To break new ground, to define a new medium, participate in a revolution-what better calling could one ask. I feel I am advancing literature and art.

2f

A-LINE

Men in touch with their sexuality, their bodies, manly men, aren't afraid of femininity, the prettiness or sliminess. For real men—publishers like Codrescu, Crumlish, Memmott-femininity is not an issue or they like it. Karl Young at Light and Dust will publish a retrospective of my work. Karl is independent and unstoppable. Beside supporting the work of numerous writers, he has a prodigious output of his own inventive work.

People secure in themselves don't screen out individual differences. Women themes, female sexual imagery, sensuality, beauty are part of me like being blue-eyed or 5ft. 5½. Experimental writers rarely maintain passion and humanity. I admire those who do: Duras, Scalapino, others.

2g

DRAPED PEPLUM WITH JABOT

There are also many women in positions of power on the web: Sue Thomas was outstanding at trAce, very eclectic, energetic, inspiring. Interested in all things new, Sue provided me with fabulous opportunities. I could email her anytime night or day. Rapid-fire response.

Margie Luesebrink from California was a great connection for me. She is a terrific person, enthusiastic and inventive and a pioneer in electronic media. Margie is unfailingly productive and generous of spirit. She encouraged me from afar through emails. Later we met at conferences.

2h

FLOUNCED

I'll keep on my taboo path, buoyed by the courage of Kathy Acker, Henry Miller, others unafraid of the charged, messy arena of sex—the gladiator ring for the survival of our species. We may look different, but much of that has to do with battle garb and fighting styles. I have been known to garden in slipper satin.