Aug
21
2010

The latest entry on the front page of ARTnudes Networkwhich features a video clip of Dennis Mecham interviewed by Salt Lake City Weekly really fits into this image post.
My goal with Bailey Devonish here was for us to create a thought or question of nature and ourselves and how we organically tie into this rock we live in. Is it mother nature that originally bore us or are we from the pages of the book of Genesis? How did our existence really begin, are we all tied in organically somehow with our natural environment through natural selection or were we one day miraculously formed out of dust from the garden?
As questions arise the more it makes sense to me that we are a piece of this big carbon puzzle we call Planet Earth… this image is our interpretation of those questions… something porn can never do!
Ironically for my birthday today I chose to post this image which we shot a couple of months ago, a perfect fit to the subject of our blog here and the annual ritual of celebrating ones birth.

Like
no comments
Aug
5
2010

– The statuesque and incomparable Kat on a Rock – Santa Barbara, Ca
Sooo, yesterday morning as I was wishing the lovely Rebecca Lawrence a happy birthday I clicked to revisit her blog, Model Mayhem and OMP galleries.
I was (as always with her work) immediately inspired and reminded why I do what I do. She is absolutely one of my favorites to work with.
Now I have been struggling with motivation since my last post over six months ago and have only done 3 real photoshoots all year. Looking at Rebecca’s work gave me a slap in the face in terms of that I have been blessed to have beautiful people around me like Rebecca that keeps me in touch with my artistic mind. I sometimes don’t thank them enough for their inspiration.
Also I tend to overlook this wonderful community here on ArtNudes network and all the wonderful work and resources available at my fingertips… something I need to recognize more often.
I am now convinced that I need to simplify my networking to what is important to me and my art… too many online modeling and mindless social network accounts can really distract from creativity.
I guess this is my 2010 mid-term resolution, to re-define my photography and focus. I hope not to be a stranger around here again

Like
no comments
Jan
31
2010

So! Back in the fall of ’09 I pretty much put down my camera gear for a while so I could spend my little bit of working income on upgrading my home network gear to Macs, something that I have been wanting to do for a long time and the whole freekin Windows experience (10 years worth) had finally came to a boil and hit my last nerve.
Well now the closet tech geek in me was unleashed, once I received my brand new macbook pro the flood gates opened. The local Apple store has become my candy shop and now I am stuck in this aesthetic and technological vortex where I have to simplify my home workspace/flow with all their amazing products… Then there is the new software updates I need (want!)
.
…”Hi my name is Art and I am a Mac-aholic”…
.
The costs have practically kept me from being able to hire models, so on I pressed with this computer adventure.
.
Well this whole adventure on top of the “day job” is taking up most of my time, has me building new desks, reconfiguring my physical and virtual workspace, buying accessories (nothing that I don’t need though) and basically being preoccupied with my geekness… I have not touched my photoshop [windows] since late November (still trying to exchange my platform license, any tips?) and in the time away from shooting I feel uninspired to pick up my camera.
I really do have a desire to get started on my new artistic nude projects and going back to using medium format film but the energy has not fully manifested my creativity yet.
The last time this happened I ended up not shooing for 10 years but there was a lot more to blame then like dropping out of Brooks after a week with a bad taste in my mouth. I hope my focus gets back on track very soon, I need inspiration more than ever! At least it’s good to know that the art lover in me will always be there to pull me out when it’s time.
.
image from my latest photoshoot way back in november in the mojave desert

Like
1 comment
Jan
15
2010

It’s been a long time since my last post. Life has taken over my art in the last 5 months but now begins a new year and a new focus.
Slowly I will get back to shooting but more focused on content. Diving head first into creating fine nude art is something my heart tells me I should persue more intently.
It has always been the passion that drives my photography and sometimes I find myself meandering to other avenues of my photographic work only to see my nude art practice suffer because of the time I spend away from it.
So I will be checking out all your images and missed updates here on the ArtNudes Network for inspiration more regularly and hopefully I will have brand new creations to post very soon.
.
Image: the lovely and talented Rebecca Lawrence on the local beach at sunset

Like
2 comments
Oct
13
2009
This is a story you have to read to believe. A flickr contact I have who does illustration portraits for the Wall Street Journal has a thief and a copyright violator in Spain who is making nice a living out of her hard work among others.
Please read, especially all you artist out there:
http://hedcuts.blogspot.com/2009/10/jose-maria-cano-is-con-artist-he-uses.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/noli/4009517833/

Like
no comments
Oct
4
2009

As technology gets faster easier and less time consuming, I have a deep desire to do the oposite as well.
Case in point; A month and a half ago I decided to stop booking models for projects and saving my pennies determined to re-do my whole computer system, (yes PC to OSX) about to unload my dell and allll the things attached to it and purchasing a new Macbook pro and matching cinema display and peripherals. Simplifying and upgrading my workspace is something that is long over due. While that is dominating my thoughts and short term goals lately, I have been also playing with the thought to go back to basics. I have this deep desire to shoot medium format again as I have my eye on a used Hasselblad 50o c/m at the local Samys as well as dusting off my old Nikons in my closet. This also means that I have to restock on new tanks, reels, chemicals, trays as well as review my long forgotten processing techniques. I know that all this are different tools of the trade but there is a certain romance in going back to the foundations of art and it’s tools and getting your hands dirty, then again the new stuff is pretty cool tooÂ
So now I am being pulled in two directions in order to satisfy the artist and the geek in me. which will come first? the Mac set up or the 500 c/m?… stay tuned and to my models out there hopefully there will be a that Hassy between you and me the next time we meet Â

Like
1 comment
Sep
14
2009
It was easier when I shot film, the quantity was less to choose from when building portfolios. I feel I spent the whole weekend re inventing and selecting my artistic nude and glamour portfolios with no results yet. I still am partial to my old film work but want to keep my selection fresh and up to date. Ugggh what to do, what to do?!
Since I went digital 4 or so years ago the number of images shot through the roof because of ease and instant results… with film, the quantity and quality ratio is alot different, at least for me. The attention to detail and composition “in the camera” was more critical and time consuming and lets not forget the processing fun, ohhh the wonderful smell of developer…Â I envy anyone who still have their darkrooms and film tanks, I miss mine!

Like
3 comments
Sep
6
2009

It’s that time of year where I feel I need a change, and it usually means my work; both day job as well as my photo or artwork.
As much as I would love to make my passion a source of income, it is the type of work I am NOT inspired by that tends to be the practical career choice. Art nudes at my level are not what I would call a primary or even a second source of income.
Although it would be a perfect world if I can support my passion with its own results, it is the sheer reality that dictates how much from my “day job” I can put towards my photography and lately it has been close to zero.
That makes it hard to hire quality models and travel to great locations. Kind of a double whammy!
But that is why we call it “passion”, the desire to do what we love no matter what even if it does not support us in practical ways but instead it defines our souls and supports our mind. I guess in the long run that is what really matters.
Maybe it’s just time to revamp my portfolios and galleries… but then again procrastination tends to get in the way, uggh!Â

Like
1 comment
Aug
14
2009

A little late in posting a grand return, oh well.
Feeling a bit out of practice in the art of art nudes lately, I thought that by posting a piece I did a year ago, it would inspire me to get the juices flowing again. The desire is back but the mind is taking a nap.
Kat at Knapps Castle, Santa Barbara

Like
no comments
Aug
8
2009

It’s been a month since my last entry and it’s a little late in the evening to think of any clever spewings. I’ll post something in the morning… after my coffee and muffinÂ

Like
2 comments