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.

From Photo to Art--Carlotta Champagne (The Very First One!)

I just recently discovered that, in all the time that I've been doing this series "From Photo to Art," I have never featured one of my favorites---the very first drawing I did of popular Playboy model Carlotta Champagne.  it also represents one of the first drawings where I "removed" the model's clothing.





















I originally met Carlotta online though the modeling site OneModelPlace.com, and we met in person at Glamourcon Chicago 2006.  I remarked how much I liked this photo of her, and asked her permission to use it.  She said she co-owned the copyright with the photographer, Keith Seraphim, but if it was okay with him, she agree.  Keith gave his permission, and I set out to draw.

I absolutely loved Carlotta's hair and expression in this shot; she looked so relaxed and beautiful.  But since she is a nude model, I wanted to try something different, and what would be better than to place her naked in a hot tub?  It wouldn't be all that difficult, since she is wearing a string bikini in the reference photo, I really only had to recreate her breasts without the suit, and I had plenty of photo references for that.  The tricky part of this drawing was drawing the hot tub and the water, I was not familiar with the surfaces, and I had more trouble than I thought.

This art has proven to be one of my post popular pieces, and the original was purchased by a photographer not long after I completed it.  I've used it on my Erotic Pin-up & Illustrations business card, my Glamourcon placard, and frequently as an avatar.  It was also featured in Carrie Leigh's Nude (you can read about it here).   Since the original is now sold, I've often thought about redoing this piece, to correct some things that I believe could be improved.  Any feedback on that?


You can see Vincent Wolff's art on Fine Art America

Work In Progress--Carlotta Champagne

While figure artists usually like to paint and draw many different models, they often find a particular one who inspires them to create, i.e.,  their 'muse.'  According to Wikipedia, the word 'muse' comes from  "the......nine goddesses in Greek mythology who control and symbolize nine types of art known to Ancient Greece, and are associated with artistic inspiration."  

Anyone familiar with my artwork will note that Playboy model Carlotta Champagne could qualify as my muse.  I first discovered her  on the industry site, OneModelPlace.com, in December 2005, and immediately noticed a classical grace and beauty in her not shared by many models.  She has an hourglass figure, a throwback to the Playmates of the 1950's and 60's, and a face that would inspire Renaissance artists.


Carlotta was very kind to allow me to use one of her images for my first drawing drawing of her, and she eventually agreed to a photo shoot in my rec room, photographed by my friend Rob Domaschuk.  The photo shoot has resulted in 2 completed drawings, plus the nearly finished one to the left.


I actually started this drawing at Glamourcon 2008.  While I am using the original photo as basic reference, I am taking some liberties with it to focus on Carlotta's face and breasts.  I am trying to create more contrast in this piece than I have done lately, and also attempting to stylize Carlotta's hair than normal.  What do you think?   Please drop a comment here or on my Facebook fan page