Art Silva Nudes

Note to self; first visit to the beach of the season, especially to the nudie beach I gotta sunblock some parts, haha.
I know better but a friend and I went to the nude beach to even out her tan lines for modeling and I figured that two hours was not a big deal… stupid me, I have not layed out all year and I know that the first exposure is always the worse. Now I can barely sit down at my desk unless I sit VERY still… oooh ouch!!!

Speaking of things burned, this is a shot of Vassanta from my last shoot at a hot spot close to where one of our 3 wildfires started. I thought the charred manzanita tree and soil would contrast well with Vassanta’s skin tone and her poses.

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It sucks sometimes being an art photographer. Especially in these times of uncertain economic blah blah blah. Not to take anything away from the models who are fighting to find work [I feel for all of you], but when photography is a passion and not at all a source of income where I make my living working at a $15 an hour job the opporitinities to work with quality models are far few in between. Unlike the last couple of years  where time was the deciding factor in hiring models, now its budget. I have passed up sooo so many offers from traveling models, many who I have worked with in the past who I know will give me the best images, and I feel bad when I have to reply with a “I can not book you at this time”  because I know for many of them THIS is their income and it breaks my heart.

I have done many local TFs to stay in practice but for the elite models who come around from time to time, I feel I am loosing out on something special when I pass on their offers. This is something that has been eating away at me for sometime now and I apologize for the outpour of self pitty. I am not looking for sympathy but more like answers, answers to where my work is at the moment and what I can do to continue supporting all the great models I am connected with.

I know many photographers are in the same boat as me and that is why I posted this. Maybe I can get inspiration from other’s exper

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In honor of Carlotta being in LA this week and me not being able to make the trip down to work with one of the most beautiful and sweetest figure models I know, I thought I would post a shot we did back in late 2007.  Happy 4th everyone!!! …time to go check out the fireworks show 

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First edit from my day with Vassanta and Rebecca.

This is at one of my favorite local locations; Lizards Mouth in Santa Barbara. Aside from a group of onlookers hiking near by we managed to have a wonderful session(s) of creating inspiring natural art.

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Awaiting for the return and arrival of  one of my most favorite people in the art modeling world. Rebecca Lawrence is in the middle of a cross country road trip and on this leg she is joined by the beautiful Vassanta, another accomplished and very talented art model in her own right. They are about to leave LA and head north to  my home in Santa Barbara, on to San Francisco to Seattle and then east.

Unlike the last couple trips where it was a; stop in town – hello – shoot – quick snack – and hit the road type of visit, Rebecca this time is on her own time and will be here to also rest. I look forward to some good quality time, playing host and a great [no time stress and relaxed] photoshoot with both her and Vassanta on saturday morning.  Cant wait to share our creations afterwards 

I very much recommend Rebecca and Vassanta to any artist and photographer on their route. I have worked with Rebecca on each of her west coast tours and she brings inspiration and fun to the shoot. Please support these wonderfully talented and lovely models for your projects so they continue to travel to those of us who are not able.

~Art

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To continue the Summer Solstice theme and the veiled figure in nature, I thought I’d post this one of Cassondra, a new local model.

We met and instantly connected (maybe because we have the same last name…distant cousins maybe?) at a bikini beach shoot and decided to head off on our own to the other end of the beach to get artistic.

You know, to me Summer Solstice is a bitter sweet day for me; It’s the longest day of the year, it’s the beginning of warm summer days and all the great things that come with it BUT it also means the the days will be getting shorter after today till December 20th-ish, so as it begins it is ending … does that make sense?  :/

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A rare color image to celebrate arrival of summer… Happy Summer Solstice.

If any day was dedicated to the beauty of the human form it would be today where the sun shines up in the sky for just over 15 hours thus celebrating its warmth and energy.

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Just set a date to work with the beautiful and amazing Rebecca Lawrence. Her annual visit to my Santa Barbara home is a highlight to my summers.
Her inspiration and sweet personality make her one of my favorite art models.
Welcome back to California hun 

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… well actually Saturday since I wrote this at midnight fri night, soooooo anyways;

Happy weekend everyone as spring begins to give way to summer.

Photo is of Kat being one again with mother nature, Santa Barbara.

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Just as the expanse of the universe begs so many questions so does the subject of nude art and it’s participants.
I often wonder if there is a level of perversion in those of us who photograph and pose for the arts.
Respecting the creative mind and the physical form I tend to ask myself if this beauty and appreciation for natures form is a mild form of some kind of raw sexual urge.
Maybe I over think these things for purposes of explaining my art to those who don’t indulge in the arts, in fear of being labled something undesirable in society.

What are your thoughts on this on what we do.

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