Interview with Playboy Model Carlotta Champagne

I recently did an interview with Playboy Model and Cyber Girl Carlotta Champagne, a follow-up to one I did a few years ago.  It was a good time for us to catch up.  And read all the way through for a special offer on Carlotta prints!

It’s been several years since I last interviewed you……what is the latest news about your modeling career ?
<b>Nothing to report on, haha! I'm still working with artists, making images, being creative and causing a raucous with my nudity.

You recently moved to Los Angeles from Florida….how do you think this will impact your modeling career?
I really don't know! Los Angeles has so many opportunities. Perhaps more acting and video work will expand my modeling horizon a bit.

You were a Playboy Special Editions Model and Cyber Girl of the Week…Any plans for more Playboy shoots in the future?
I really don't know! I work with Playboy radio somewhat frequently so it's always possible for more big photoshoots as well.

You have a variety of interests outside modeling….what is your favorite down time activity?
I have so many!! I love dance classes at the gym, reading, watching movies, painting... I can't narrow it down.

How long would you like to continue as a nude model? Can you see yourself doing this for several more years, given your extraordinary beauty?
I'm going to do this as long as I can, as long as I still feel good about myself.

Have your post –modeling plans changed since our last interview?
Probably, I don't have any set plans right now. My entire life is up in the air, and it feels completely amazing..

Want to own an art print of this beautiful, fabulous nude model?  Save <b><i>30%</b></i> on art by entering code  YVDKKK in the Discount box in the checkout at Fine Art America.  Offer expires May 31, 2015.

Of Models and Men

I recently read a post on Facebook by a beautiful nude model whom I follow there and on Model Mayhem:

"So tired of dudes with their fanboy shit who want to "date,me" or brag they are "dating a model" or have a model "girlfriend". Guess what? I'm an actual person with feelings,with emotions and it amazes me that people expect me to be an emotionless mannequin. Guess what? I cry, I get upset. I get angry because I'm a real person...It also makes me feel like I always have to "be hot" and dressed up..like I have to keep up an image, and that people will be dissapointed [sic] if I don't look "hot"all the time. idk. . I am not my persona. I am not "xxxxx" in real life. You need to like me for who I am as a person, not what I am.. I am not just a smiling trophy you can dust off and take off your shelf when you need to brag to your boys and show off, but then put back and ignored when you don't need to prove your accomplishment. You want to keep a trophy? Then treat her like one all the time..otherwise you don't deserve her. I'm not a damn "rent a gf" lol"

This disturbed me because I have heard similar stories from other models I know.

I realize I'm a lucky guy---I draw and paint beautiful women with very little or no clothing.  I am the envy of many of my friends.  But these ladies are not objects to me; they are my friends, my work associates, my muses, etc.  Like any other work environment, they deserve to be respected for what they do and how they do it, regardless of the amount of clothing they are wearing.

These ladies know full well what they have gotten themselves into; they realize they they will be objectified, that their photos are sued for spank material for many fans.  But there modeling persona is not the real them.  I've written before about how much work a photo shoot is, that even with a nude model, the job site is pretty devoid of any sexual tension.  Models and photographers (or artist, for that matter) are professional, who are doing a job.  It takes a lot of work to create glamour.

My Partner, My Critic....My Wife

It's time to give a huge shout out to the woman who is responsible for the quality of my artwork, my wife.  She is a self taught decorator, with a photographic memory for color and design. She critiques every piece of art, and provides me with incredible advice and direction.

My wife has been a phenomenal creative director, making fantastic suggestions on all my art, and suggesting some radical changes on a few of them, as seen below.
 

In this drawing of Playboy Playmate Lindsey Vuolo, my wife had me darken the shading in Lindsey's skin tones a lot, and add some shading to the corners to 'frame' the drawing, and close it in a bit.  But the big change was to soften the "S" curve in her back, and that made a huge difference in the whole look of the artwork.  I followed the reference photo exactly on the first version, but my wife pointed out that it didn't work in the art, and that I don't always have to recreate the photos perfectly.  It improved the art greatly, as it made it a softer, more feminine pose.

The latest redesign came on my personal favorite piece of art of Playboy Cyber Girl Carlotta Champagne. This is one of the drawings based on a photo shoot at our house; however, she told me she didn't like it as a full nude, and really wanted to see me add shorts to the art, as well as some other changes.  She helped me choose some classic "Daisy Duke" shorts as reference, and was instrumental in helping me achieve a sexy, erotic look.  She also suggested changes in Carlotta's shoulder, hair, shading, and the whip.  I have to say I like it better!







The Marilyn Monroe nude was the biggest project on which we fully collaborated,  This was a completely redrawn project, a present for our son.  A family member had the original art, one which our son liked a lot, so my wife suggested just redoing the piece as a present for him, but making it better.  She had a lot of issues with the original, and worked as art director to have me capture her vision.  A truly collaborative effort, this took hours of working and reworking facial expressions, colors, angles, sheet folds.  It was a pleasure to work hand in hand with her to create a very large, special piece.

I can't say enough about how much help my lovely wife gives me on my art.  She has no problem with the subject matter, and her insight and suggestions is always spot on.  Whenever you look at any artwork from me, chances are she had a big say in how it looks.  Thanks honey!!

Random Thoughts and Ramblings of a Pinup Artist

Here are some things that I've learned recently as an artist:

•  I have gained such confidence in my art abilities in the past 18 months. I am going through one of the most prolific periods of art creation in my lifetime.....but I can't show you all most of it, due to privacy concerns and deadlines.  Believe me, I'd love to show them.
  
• In that vein, I am more readily trying new techniques.  I wouldn't often do that; I would afraid of screwing up the piece.  Now, I know that I do make a mistake, I can usually fix it.  I'm learning.
  
• I'm having fun again!  Art was a chore for a long time.  I'm enjoying working on the board again, working on several projects at the same time. 
  
• I LOVE to illustrate women!  Nude, semi-nude, pinup---it has been so much fun to  capture some very beautiful women this year in various states of undress.  While I enjoy creating landscapes, monsters, and portraits, I just love the female form.
  
• I'm working in color!  I will be unveiling a new piece in November for publication in a national magazine that is entirely done in colored pencil.  A big departure for me; while I have done color pencil before, I tried new techniques on this portrait of Jax Turyna

Keep watching this space for some new work, and reworked old pieces! 

Brand New Carlotta Champagne

One of my favorite drawings of my favorite subject Playboy model Carlotta Champagne, is the second one I did of her, and the first of the 3 based on the shots the my friend Rob Domaschuk took of her in my rec room.  Anyone who follows my work has seen this art numerous times, and in fact is my (usual) cover photo on my Facebook Fan Page.  Rob shot a full nude of Carlotta with a hat, and I added the whip since she was leaning against our bar stool, and called the piece "Indiana Carlotta."

Recently, my wife told me that, in her opinion, the portrait would look better if I added some sexy shorts, rather than have her in a full nude pose.  She also said that it would make the art classier.  Initially, I fought doing it, I told her that I didn't want to change anything, but quickly realized that she was right (she always is), and warmed up to the idea. So, since I recently had some time, we took it out of it's matte and frame home, and I set to work.

After downloading some reference shots of Daisy Duke shorts, I proceeded to sketch them in.  After going through a few transformations, including some skin tight versions that didn't work, we finally settled on a looser pair of cut-off jean shorts, which was actually sexier than the skin tight version I originally drew.

Other changes in the art included some work on Carlotta's waist and left shoulder, and darkening some tones to create a more dramatic effect.  I also added some white conte crayon to bring out some highlights.

The above images show the "after" and "before" of the drawing.  While both versions will be available for sale as prints (and the new one as an original), I'm waiting for the new version to be professionally shot.  I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on the changes, please contact me below.

Oh Captain, My Captain

I was very saddened to hear the news of Robin Williams' passing yesterday of an apparent suicide.  I have been a big fan of his comedy since his first appearance on Happy Days in the 1970's, and I treasured his first comedy album, Reality...What a Concept.  His frenetic energy and his quick comedic mind almost mirrored my own frenetic personality; he just kept throwing jokes at you

Dr. Drew Pinskey gave great insight on CNN last night, when he said how Mr Williams survived his open heart surgery in 2009, but apparently died from his depression.  He stated how common it is to suffer from depression after major surgery.  I know that for a fact.  I too suffered from massive depression not long after my heart attack, to the point where I asked why did I survive to go through this? Depression is real, it's constant, and if you don't take care of it, it can be permanent.  It's very disconcerting for a doctor to tell you that you may not have lived if you hadn't taken the necessary steps in time. What would have been the alternative?  Depression comes via different roads, but always wants to fill you with darkness.

As I watched the talking heads last night try to publicly eulogize Williams, I was struck by how so many just don't understand mental illness.  How did he seem when you last spoke to him?  Did you see any signs of depression?  How can he do this to himself with such a great life?  I was upset; these people don't get it.  Depression doesn't care if you are rich, or poor, male, or female---in a depressed state, nothing excites you, nothing lifts you.  You struggle to get through the day, the hours, the minutes.  It's horrific.

I am tremendously lucky; I have a great psychiatrist, wonderful therapist,  great cardio team, supportive friends, and a loving, fantastic wife and son, who make sure I stay positive and healthy, and don't let me get too down. I feel I am now making the best art of my life, as I now (with the help of meds) am no longer afraid to experiment.   But I have a long family history of bipolar disorder, and see it in family members.  I am conscious of the possibility that I could slip back once again.  I refuse to let it.

RIP, Robin Williams.  Oh Captain, My Captain.


A couple of my favorite scenes of his, from Aladdin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99Op1TaXmCw


And this gripping scene from his Oscar winning turn in Good Will Hunting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM-gZintWDc

Modeling Into Maturity

I recently had an online conversation with a beautiful model friend of mine who has done Playboy, and I mentioned to her how she should be modeling for years to come.  She surprised me by say, " I hope you are right about doing this a long time."  Normally she seems very confident in her modeling,.


It got me to thinking about a model's "life expectancy," so to speak.  Glamour and nude models start at about age18, but when are they done? When will the agencies and photographers stop calling them to shoot nude?  30 years old? 40 years old?  


The mature model interest has really gained momentum in recent years, and the number of women posing nude over the age of 30 globally has increased significantly (over 6000 models age 30 and older on Model Mayhem in the USA alone).  A lot of this can be attributed to teh popularity of actress Jennifer Coolidge as Stifler's mom in the movie "American Pie," where the term MILF first gained real popularity.  A mature model really has to know how to pose her body for the best possible image.  This is something that most models know who to do, but imperfections can be magnified as a woman gets older.  Things sag, get out of place, the skin is not as taut. 

One of our very own on Blogger is the beautiful Unbearable Lightness, who started nude modeling in her late 50's, and is now 70 and still gorgeous and going strong.  She is a confident and realistic lady, she is shapely and Unbearable Lightness gets the most out of wonderful photo.  She exudes confidence in her abilities. 


I have a real fondness for capturing older models in my art; there is something that I really enjoy in helping her feel beautiful and glamorous.  Many of  my commissions are not even real models, they are everyday wives and mothers, who want to feel special.  Nothing wrong with that.

I feel confident that my Playboy model friend will be able to continue with her career for many, many years to come. 

Get a Free Magazine

Get a FREE subscription to Flip magazine, and see some brand new artwork from me in a future issue!

I am creating a military themed pinup of the beautiful Jax Turyna, shot by the talented Ralph E. Haseltine, which will be published in Flip along with other photos from her sexy military pinup shoot.  Everyone has donated his or her time, and the original art and prints will be available for sale, with the proceeds to benefit a military charity or organization.

FliP is two magazines in one; a Maxim-like magazine for guys and Cosmo-like magazine for women…all wrapped up in one print and online magazine that literally ‘flips’ from the FLiPm side to the FLiPw side. Guys can enjoy their half of the magazine and be able to peek at the women’s side, and vice-versa, all your guilty pleasures in one magazine!

Interested? Then click through to College Subscription Services, and sign up for your FREE subscription to Flip today!

Ride 'Em Cowgirl!

Several years ago, I was commissioned to do some preliminary artwork for the owners of the license of the World Famous Mustang Ranch in Sparks, NV.  Having just purchased the license, the client wanted me to create some art for various pieces of merchandise to be sold under the Mustang Ranch name.  The art was to be sexy, with a cowgirl theme. 

I first had to create a preliminary sample sketch, something sexy and provocative, to see if I had the skills for the project.  (Drawing on left)

 
The art was based on  a beautiful Playmate, Jennifer Allen, who portrayed a Western theme in her pictorial.  I liked how she held the gun, her pose, and her expression.  This is a flipped version of one of her photos. (Photo to left)

After the initial sketch above was approved, the client asked for a full color version, but in a more 1950's style stylized garb and feel (think Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future III.  This was the art that was to be used for the merchandise.

Like with many projects, I don't know what happened to the art.  It was fun to work on, and I think I got a couple of good pieces out of it (a copy of the top sketch hangs in our bar).  Comments are always welcome, please email me.

The Naked Wives

Over the past few years, it seems that I have received more and more commissions for "The Naked Wives;" i.e, women who very happily want nude or semi-nude art of themselves for their spouses, or husbands looking to give their wives the same. 

I recall how I got started drawing nude wives.  The first commission was a depiction of a husband's wife for tattoo art; she didn't pose nude, we took a number of reference photos and 'pieced' them together to create the artwork.  Since then I have received numerous requests to create this type of nude art.

Personally, I love working with women over the age of say 30 or 35.  I find that it takes a lot of confidence for them to pose or be depicted in the nude, and they are always so pleasant to work with.  Some of my most challenging, yet rewarding, artwork has come from these commissions.  I hope you enjoy them

Updated Nude Art

I always like to post new artwork here, and in this case I get to post 3 that, to me, are like new.

I was very happy that my good friend, Master Photographer Thom Rouse, agreed to shoot some of my artwork once again, including reshooting some of my older work of Playboy Cyber Girl Carlotta Champagne and Playmate Lindsey Vuolo, as well as the final, professional quality shot of the most recent art of my friend Misty Dawn.  

In order to show my art as close as it really looks, and to sell prints on my Fine Art America site, I have to get them shot by a professional like Thom--a small digital camera just won't work.  And, in the case of the art of Carlotta, I made significant changes to it after I had it shot in 2007, for showing at Glamourcon.  For 7 years the images I posted just never looked as it does hanging in our house, and it bothered me.  So I'm happy to present it as it really looks here.

As for the art of the voluptuous Lindsey Vuolo, I always thought the original was a bit fuzzy, and not very sharp.  Now, I used a lot of tissue to create a very soft shading technique that I used when I redrew it (see how it first looked here).  But I told Thom that something seemed off, and needed it redone.

Of course, the primary reason for Thom's shoot was for the drawing of Misty Dawn, the project that took me nearly 10 years to complete.  At the time I started, it was the largest drawing I ever attempted. I really tried to use a lot of shading on this piece of art, as it creates more interest, and more eroticism.

I hope you enjoy these updated images.  Please, please, please, leave any comments you wish.

After 10 Long Years, Brand New Nude Art!

Finally, after nearly 10 years, I can officially unveil this portrait of Playboy Cybergirl Misty Dawn, based mostly on photos taken by photographer Sam T'ang.

I met Misty online at the old  Playboy Cyber Club when she was first published as Cyber Girl of the Week in August 2004.  She impressed me with her down to earth honesty, her sarcastic and self deprecating sense of humor, and of course, her beauty.  I decided create a large portrait of Misty, and took several of Sam's photos as reference that September.  Then life got in the way.

Besides going through some life-changing events over that time, I was getting a lot of nice paying commissions, and this piece was just put  aside time and again, sometimes for a few years.  I did refocus on this piece recently, however, and in between some other work, I was able to complete it this month.

The above photo of the art will be re shot and uploaded here in a couple of weeks, and then prints and the original will be available for sale.  Please write me to comment on the art, good or bad.  Thanks!

FACEBOOK FAN PAGE
Come join my Facebook Fan Page! I upload updates, news, Works In Progress and more.  We have over 2200 fans already, and I'd like to include you.  Click here to 'Like.' 

I can't believe that is has been almost 2 months since I last wrote an email to you!  Between my day job, my night job, family commitments and the weather, this has been one of the craziest Holiday Seasons I have ever had.

I am excited to say that I am about to start a major commission very shortly, and will finish a drawing that has taken nearly 10 years (off and on) to complete. Since I kind of bogged down after we finished the big Marilyn Monroe gift for our son last year, I'm excited to get working again, as there are some 'special' projects that I want to do this year of Playmates and Internet models to enhance the portfolio.  Stay tuned, as I will send updates as I can.

In the meantime, please enjoy this art from 7 years ago of one of the best fine art nude models I've seen, Ann Mitch.  Her supple body could be twisted into so many great poses, she is a truly spectacular lady.

Happy Holidays!

I know it seems early to offer up this type of greeting (unless you've walked into any retail store in the USA!), but I want to let you know of some exciting things we are promoting for holiday gift giving:

*From November 2, 2013 to December 31, 2013, we are offering 25% off the price of the print itself (not materials or shipping). Depending on the size, you can save a lot of money on a high-quality print of any one of my art pieces that is for sale. Use Discount Code EYSBRR in your shopping cart.

*Order a 13" x 19" print of any of my pieces for only $10 (plus shipping). These are printed on high quality presentation paper in a matte finish, and can be printed on demand. Buy 3 and pay only $25 (plus shipping). Contact me here for more information.



HOLIDAY COMMISSIONS
My schedule is filling up, but there MAY still be time to order your holiday commission! What away to say Merry Christmas. Contact me here for information and pricing.

A Playboy Model Tease

I have been working on a drawing of former Playboy Cyber Girl Misty Dawn for a long time--9 years, in fact! This has been an off-and-on project, and up until this year, the largest drawing I ever attempted at 30" by 20." It is a black and white graphite drawing based on several references, but mostly on her Cyber Girl of the Week photos from August 2004, taken by Sam T'ang. Below is a very recent Work In Progress shot of Misty's head.

 
I'm going to try to finish this in the next few weeks, before Holiday Commissions need to be started.  This is the last WIP that I'll post until it's completed.


FACEBOOK FAN PAGE
Come join my Facebook Fan Page! I upload updates, news, Works In Progress and more.  We have over 1800 fans already, and I'd like to include you.  Click here to 'Like.'

MODEL MAYHEM  PROFILE
Did you know I've had a profile at Model Mayhem since 2006? I have met numerous models, photographers, fellow artists, and other industry professionals there, and enjoy the networking capabilities that MM provides. Come take a look at my artwork.

Holiday Commissions (Already?)

Believe it or not, the holidays will be here before you know it, and if you have been thinking about surprising a loved one with some custom artwork, now is the time to book a commission. Below are all examples of commission orders from some very happy clients.


Sizes and Rates for black & white are as follows:*

Size................Reg. Rate
11" x 14" ............. $300!
14" x 17" ............. $350!
19" x 24".............. $425!
20" x 30".............. $650!

Depending on the size, I need about 2-4 weeks to do a custom commission in black & white, and slightly longer if its color.
Contact me right away for more information.

*Requires a 30% non-refundable deposit. Does not include shipping charges. Balance due prior to delivery.


FACEBOOK FAN PAGE
Come join my Facebook Fan Page! I upload updates, news, Works In Progress and more. We have over 1800 fans already, and I'd like to include you. Click here to 'Like.'

MODEL MAYHEM PROFILE
Did you know I've had a profile at Model Mayhem since 2006? I have met numerous models, photographers, fellow artists, and other industry professionals there, and enjoy the networking capabilities that MM provides.

Meet the Fans!

I recently returned from a  trip to Indianapolis with the family, and while down there, I had the opportunity to meet a fan who asked me to personally sign a drawing he had purchased of Playboy model Carlotta Champagne. 

Richard McCullogh won a 13" x 19" print at the Chicago Glamourcon show in June, and he was very excited that the original art was available.  Richard asked me to sign it in person while I was in Indianapolis, and he also wanted a picture of me doing so. We enlisted the help of one of the hotel staff, and I happily personalized both for him.  

I love meeting fans of my art, and , while I do sign every illustration, I am more than happy to personalize any of them for the buyer.  Got a piece of art of mine you want signed?  Let me know, I'll be more than happy to make arrangements to do so.
..

Do You Nude?

As I've said in previous posts, I love doing nude wife commissions.  I think that any woman who wants to pose in a glamourous nude or provocative piece of art for her spouse is very special, as it is a very personal kind of gift.

The lady to the left was a model who hired me to use a photo of herself that she supplied me to create some art for her husband as a gift.  She is incredibly beautiful, but has asked to remain anonymous since   she has a career.  But she was a pleasure to draw, lovely to work with.  And while she did model, this was a private, personal gift for her husband.

I pose this question to you--do you nude?  Ladies, do you pose nude for your spouse or significant other?  Guys, do you enjoy taking or viewing nude pictures of your wife or girlfriend?  I've been learning about many people who, while fairly conservative in public, are very willing to have this type of art in their home, if privately.  Let me know by messaging me here at my art website.

The Hair Down There......

Playboy's Miss June 1984 Liz Stewart

An interesting debate that I've run across on Model Mayhem and other sites is the definitions of fine art nude modeling and glamour nude modeling.  One of the many criteria is the presence of pubic hair on the model; some fine art purists (not all) insist that a fine art model must not complete shave her pubic hair.

Playboy Model Carlotta Champagne

Being a male of a certain age, I grew up admiring and loving pubic hair.  Playboy magazine set the trend for pubic hair fashion, and my favorite Playmates of the late 1970's and the 1980's all sported full bush.

As an artist, I've found that I rarely draw full frontal nudes anymore; however, I am still drawn to those women who prefer to grow some hair in their pubic area.  As noted by the examples  listed here, these are some favorite pieces of art that feature the models with some form of pubic hair.  Is it less than fine art?  Is it pornographic?  Our cultures definitions of beauty have changed immensely in the past generation, from the full hourglass figure personified by Marilyn Monroe to the slim, but full busted and shaved models of today.

Client Commission of "Amber"

However, I've received commissions such as this one of "Amber" who are full shaven (I was directed by her husband,; she wore a bikini in the original reference photo).  She is a very fit woman, and I see absolutely nothing wrong with her lack of pubic hair.  It would have made no difference to me if she did have hair, but what I've discovered over the years that, like breast enhancement, some women look good with pubes and some don't--it all depends on her shape, and a lot of times, how she wears it, which is confidence.

Pubic hair in art has been come and gone, according to this article in Wikipedia.   Perhaps the fact that it hasn't been shown in early Western art is like early animators creating only 4 fingers instead of five--it was just easier. 

What are your thoughts?  Do you like to see art of nude females with or without pubic hair?