On Models, TFP's and an Artist's Worth

Usually, when models start out in the industry, they do not charge money.  Rather, they will exchange services with the photographer in an arrangement know as Time For Prints (aka TFP, or Time for CD).   This is a way for them to build up their portfolios, without having to pay the photographer.  Once the model's portfolio is established, she will start charging for her time, and quite often will no longer do TFP, once established as a professional.

I am currently listed on several modeling industry sites, and I occasionally get requests from models to draw them.  Typically, it's something like, oh, I love your work, and I'd love for you to do one of me.  When I ask them if this will be a commission, or what the financial arrangement might be, the reply is very often, oh I just want one, it will look great, etc.   I find it humorous that many models want me to draw a portrait of them for free, when on their modeling site profiles they have this symbol displayed prominently:

Even though I use photos as my reference, it still takes me time, as an artist, to create a piece.   As it takes time for photographers and models to create the fantastic images that they display in their portfolios.  I don't necessarily have an issue with doing TFP artwork, but only under circumstances that I dictate.  Sometimes I want to add a piece to my portfolio, or sometimes I come across a model or image I feel will benefit me.  That's my prerogative, as it is the prerogative of the model to accept or decline TFP.

I have skills, and sometimes I charge for that skill, same as a photographer, or a plumber, or electrician.  What do you think?  I'd love some feedback on this.

On the (Almost) Sudden Loss of .....Me!

"You're having a heart attack, we're calling the cardiac team down now!"

I heard those words two weeks ago today, as I write this blog.  Chilling news--I had gone to the ER that morning, thinking I was suffering from acute asthma or pneumonia.  I felt bad all weekend, and by the time Monday morning came around, I thought that my difficulty breathing was a recurrence of asthma or some lung infection, although I couldn't explain the pain in my right arm.

I had my heart attack while hooked up to the EKG in the ER.  This probably saved my life---my attending internist told me that night I was lucky to be at the hospital, that he's known patients who waited a day or two with my symptoms, and they died.  I had 90% blockage on my heart's lower right quadrant, and 80% on the left side.  I was in the cardio surgery room 10 minutes after my 'event,' where they put in the first stent (the second surgery was performed 2 days later).

I'm now back at work, and feeling VERY lucky to be alive.  What possessed me to go to the emergency room?  I am someone who puts off doctor visits constantly (I postponed 3 check-ups this summer).  I am lucky to be alive, especially considering what happened to my co-worker just a month earlier.

I have some lifestyle changes to make, one is to 'destress' my life.   That means, after a long absence, I need to get back to my drawing board, and just create.  Art can be a great high, and I already have  couple of lovely ladies that I wish to capture.

On the Sudden Death of a Friend

Last week I lost a friend and coworker--Bernie Fansler, the overnight supervisor at the Geneva, Illinois Home Depot store where I work part time, suffered a massive heart attack at home, and finally succumbed last Friday morning.  It's been a very tough time for all of us. Bernie was a true gentleman; he possessed an infectious laugh, was always cheerful, and very accommodating to those of us who worked with him.

Bernie supported his handicapped sister and his seriously ill brother without complaint. Unfortunately, he had no life insurance, leaving the family with no money for a funeral.  Our store is taking up a collection for them, and whatever we raise will be doubly matched by Home Depot's associate charity fund.  I wanted to do something in my position as an artist to help out Bernie's family, so I have  set up a couple of promotions of my artwork.   All the net proceeds of these sales will be donated to our store management for the Fansler family.

One promotion is a special rate on one of my most popular pieces, a drawing of former Playmate Louann Fernald through Fine Art America.  This is an 8" x 10" quality print on stretched canvas, for only $39. My net markup on this is $4, so if you purchase one, you'll be donating four bucks to the Bernie's family.  And if you send it to me, I'll sign the print personally!

I'm also selling some of the prints in my own inventory for Bernie--Carlotta Champagne, Lindsey Vuolo, Farrah Fawcett and others.  Almost all of these are 13" x 19", printed on photo paper, & perfect for framing. They are available on eBay, please see them all.


I realize that things are really tough for people these days, and I understand money is tight.  This is a family that REALLY needs help, and anything that can be contributed by next week will be matched by twice as much.  So besides the personal donation that I am making, I hope that that I can do more for them with my artwork and your kindness. Thank you.

From Photo to Art--Marilyn Monroe

While watching television on Sunday, I noticed that Turner Classic Movies was featuring screen goddess Marilyn Monroe, in some of her best roles, like "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," How To Marry a Millionaire," "Bus Stop," and others.

I wrote a blog about her in June,  in recognition of what would have been Marilyn's 85th birthday.  I included images of the two drawings I've done of her.  However, I have never featured her in a "From Photo to Art" entry, and since that blog was posted, I have updated the jpeg of the original drawing.

This artwork is based on a photo taken by photographer Bert Stern in 1962, from a series now known as "The Last Sitting."  Shot 6 weeks before her untimely death, Mr. Stern shot her over 3 days in LA, capturing a flirty, sexy, playful sex goddess (Bert Stern recreated the Last Sitting with actress Lindsey Lohan for New York Magazine a few years ago).  The results

I was greatly inspired by this photograph, as I believe it one of the sexiest, most erotic I've seen of Marilyn.   Who couldn't gaze upon a beautiful screen icon, laying nude on her bed, with just the sheets to partially cover her, and a 'come-hither' look on her face, which is almost post-coital.

Of my two Marilyn Monroe portraits, this was actually the first image chosen, although it was the second one drawn (they were both gifts for family members).  I opted to create this on a buff colored illustration board, instead of my customary white board, and, along with graphite pencil, I also added some colored pencil in a few places to highlight it.

There are some differences between the original reference photo and my art---I added dark tones behind her head because the back light Mr. Stern wonderfully incorporated into the shot, unfortunately took away some of the definition of Marilyn's hair.  I also changed the sheets to make them more rumpled, as if they were "well-used."  I also showed more of the side of her right breast, as a bit of a glamour tease.

I am hoping to create another Marilyn Monroe illustration in the near future. She is the epitome of the Hollywood sex symbol, and her untimely death only made her legend grow.

To see more of my artwork, please visit Fine Art America.

On A Nude Wife Sale....

I decided to run a sale....

or, perhaps the proper term would be a 'promotion.'  It seems that many of the great folks who find this blog have used the search term 'naked wives,' or a variation of those words.  As there is obviously a lot of interest in the subject, and I somewhat specialize in drawing 'naked wives,' I thought that maybe it is the time to promote some special pricing for Naked Wife drawings.

I am offering 10% off the published commission rates for any Naked Wife (or Almost Naked Wife) art commission until July 10, 2011.  This is a great opportunity to immortalize your better half (or ladies, yourself) as the Pinup Goddess that you are.  And 10% off my already reasonable rates can save you up to $65.

I've included examples of Naked Wives in this blog--one commissioned by the husband, the other by the wife herself.  These projects were fun and very rewarding, and I believe the clients were happy with the outcome.

Contact me at vincewolff2004@yahoo.com if you are interested in learning more about this promotion.  I'll send you prices and terms immediately.

On (Almost) Nude Wives

I recently completed a commission, one that I started in the winter.  The husband who hired me wanted a drawing of a photo of his wife, from a series of boudoir images she had taken while he served in Afghanistan.  He was so taken with the photos, that he wanted to surprise her with artwork based on one of them.  We mutually agreed upon the photo, and I got to work.

My aim with this piece was to make the model look nude, even though she is wearing lingerie in all of the photos.  Implied nudity, as it is called, can be much sexier than nudity in many cases---the mysteriousness of the implication can be quite erotic.  Think of any Playboy Playmate ever shot---they almost always are wearing some small article of clothing, or high heels.  The 'half undressed" look, as opposed to complete nudity of fine art nudes, gives the image a more sexual charge.

As I've said before in my blogs, I really enjoy doing nude portraits of wives.   The husbands are always so proud of their spouses, sometimes gushing about the lady's figures, and I've found that, even if she doesn't have possess "model looks."  Every guy likes to think of his spouse as glamourous in some way, and that's very nice to hear.

On Birthdays...Lots of Them

Today is my birthday, my 51st to be exact.  I'm not looking for well wishes or anything, this post is more of a reflection.

30 years ago, I thought my life would be very different than it has turned out.  Regrets, as Frank Sinatra sang, I have a few (more than a few).  There are so many things that I would have changed "if I knew then what I know now."  But, I recently read a book written for incoming college freshmen, The Naked Roommate, by Harlan Cohen (very much recommended).  One thing I took away from Mr. Cohen is that "10% of things in college are bad, but 90% is awesome.  Problem is, we focus so much on the bad 10%, we forget about the awesome 90%."

This statement can be applied to life as well.  We have been given a lot of challenges in the past year or so, and,  even being an optimist most of the time, I have been down a lot.  But  this bit of advice can be taken to heart---most of life is pretty good, and if you focus on that, then you can get through all the crap.

I'm very luck to have a wife that supports my choice of art--not many spouses are willing to let their husbands draw strange, nude women--not only does my wife stand behind me, she is very instrumental and  always offers unbiased critiques.  I am very lucky!

So, I wish all of you the best for the rest of 2011 and beyond.  May you take what life gives you, and if it's lemons, make the proverbial lemonade.