Art-Models Muses, we love you

Since the publication of this article in 2010, updated in 2015, some of these artists are retired from the job. Good luck my sweet friends !

Gerhardt Thompson : 

Regarding the models there are not enough words.

Without them there would be just a landscape, without their passion and expression there would be just a pretty face and for me the beauty of a woman is not in their physical attributes instead in what they have to share through self confidence, expression, understanding and trust. 

Each of the models I work with share natural beauty, there is never any make up and I have to remind them not to do their nails, there is nothing artificial just body language and it is my job to look closely at feelings, light, mood and to integrate the sum of these parts.These young ladies are bright and their abilities should never go unquestioned. The models work hard and give 200% of themselves. 

It is for this reason that I must do my very best for them each time I pick up my camera. They have my utmost respect !" Gerhardt Thompson

Carolyn Lacasse

Éric Daoust

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St Merrique, and author, and singer.

OnePixArt - "Spirit Dance"

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Iris Dassault And Photographer.
Jim Young - "Breaking waves"
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Dollybeck
Aref Jaroudy - "Fashion Nude"
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Kat Love And Photographer.
Greg Brown - "Unknown"
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I can't say enough about how incredibly fortunate I am to have the opportunity to work with these wonderful people. Their patience and understanding and trust are all invaluable to making the images work so well. I've said before, if it wasn't for them, I would only have a large collection of well lit and quite boring paper backdrops ! Not to play any favorites, but there are a few people who have supported my work with their incredible talent and friendship. Scott Nichol

Catphrodite
Scott Nichol - "Comfort of friends" - Second Art Model Rayn
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Betcee May
Meritt A. Vincent - "Nude"
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Vassanta
Dan Van Winkle
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I photograph the female figure for many reasons.  I believe the female body is the original aesthetic object, the source of all our ideas of what is beautiful.  Therefore, the female figure provides the perfect subject matter, just as it has been an important subject since the beginnings of art. Dave Levingston

Lela Rae And Musician.

Nad Iksodas - "Passions"

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Madame Bink
Mick Waghorne - "Death in Action"
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Candace Nirvana
Andre J - "Nirvana"
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Anyssa Jordan
 Perry Gallagher - "Branch"
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Miss Anya
A.J. Kahn - "Mimicry"
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I work with people that are more than models, they are truly the main subject of the image - these people bare their soul, more than their bodies, they explore their boundaries, their freedoms and freely give of their emotions as well as their poses. Without these wonderfully understanding artists, there is no hope of Art ever being created. Beau Nestor

Theda
Sylvie Blum - "Afraid of edges"
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NevaehLleh
Jeff Wack - "The Garden Tree" 
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Iveta Niklova
Paul Timon
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Lady Anais
Joseph Orsillo - "Stronger"
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Brooke Lynne
Andrew J Baran - "Despair"

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What makes you beautiful is something much deeper than skin
Than your arms, breasts, thighs and unspeakable gems
It's what you show but don't speak, time and again
It's something much greater… It's the you that's within
Thank you. Isaac Fowler, painter.

Elena Buga
Art Ward
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Xainafairy
Michael Rosen
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Erin And Musician.
Danny Bourne - "Like a burnish'd throne"
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Bella Blue
Michael Siu - "Pensive"
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Muse
David Charles - "Child of the Corn"
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I seldom work with professional models, concentrating on 'normal' women. Most of my models haven't posed nude before and experience a real shift in self confidence as a result of working with me. I'm blessed with a beautiful and tolerant partner who models for me on a regular basis and assists on many shoots. I'm fortunate to have the trust of so many women without whom I would not be able to create. My shoots are a collaboration and I attempt to capture something of the models personality in all my work. Rob Benson

Jessamyne Rose
Malcolm Smith - "In the moment"
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Ulorin Vex And Illustrator
Yerburi - "Dive"
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Sarah Ellis
Dan Van Winkle
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Nettie R Harris
 Chip Willis 
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Thank you for sharing and thank you for your bravery, honesty and commitment to your craft. I tip my hat to you all. Isaac Fowler, painter.

Groovaciousk
David Winge - "Beautiful Inflection"
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Joceline Brooke-Hamilton
 Mark Varley
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Ivory Flame
Ivor Tetteh-Lartey
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Carlotta Champagne
Dave Rudin
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Moon Marie
 K Leo
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Lorelei
TP Photography - "Desert Sunset"
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Muses, we love you

Catphrodite joins us

" My pleasure and my purpose is to work with creative minds in order to bring vision into being." Catphrodite

Catphrodite at deviantART, Model Mayhem.







Catphrodite by Olaf Starorypinski
"Little Red Riding Nori"

Modeling is an art and models are muses, as you see it daily here inside, for example Betcee May for David LeBeck or Muse for David Charles, and so on...

All the contributing photographers of this site never forget to thank them for the wonderful pictures they couldn't make without the talent of their lovely models. And Catphrodite is a gifted (and wonderful) one, inspired and inspiring artist that I'm deeply honoured to welcome in these pages.

by Scott Nichol
"Recliner"

by Tiana Hunter
"The light half"






I'm a fine art and figure model living in the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania, USA.

I'm far enough away from the bigger cities to consider myself a country girl, yet close enough to them that I can hop on a bus and be in the center of things in two hours. It's a nice balance of things.

I'm a mixed breed French-Canadian / Scots-Irish / Blackfoot female, raised by a family of Slovenian / Polish / Czech people who are descended from circus folk. I kid you not.

I've been modeling for over five years, although I didn't start until my late 20s. I've worked with numerous photographers and artists and have traveled to some interesting locations.

by Rick Edwards
"Chair"










by Rick Edwards

by Scott Nichol
"Laughing on the job"













I'm a raven haired, well-balanced, bendy type creature. My pleasure and my purpose is to work with creative minds in order to bring vision into being. I'm a model, always willing to portray self and shades of self.

I model as a means of expression. I truly enjoy working with photographers to make a vision come to life. I've never looked at this as a way to find fame. I'm in fact quite content to live a quiet existence out of the spotlight. Unless, of course, the spotlight is part of a photographer's lighting arrangement.

by Marcus J Ranum
"Light Chair 1"

I'm also a college student, working toward getting my degree in Biology. I'm fascinated by the intricate workings of nature, and am in awe of the abundance and diversity of life in all its forms.










by Olaf Starorypinski
"The Steel 8"




















Some great artists Catphrodite has worked with :

Olaf Starorypinski, Marcus J. Ranum, Christopher Shaw, Ralph Cavalone, Michael Miles, Ken Brown, Michael Grapin, Stuart Vaille, Gary Welling, Bryan Hankey, Tiana Hunter, David Scott, Scott Nichol, Steve Smith, Kevin Black, Ed Quigley, Jason Etzel, Donnell Butler, Keith Manter, Mark Smith, Larry Pharo, Scott Pollack, Vince Snyder, Ryan Hulvat, Mike Slygh, Mike Panic, Bob Brown, Rick Edwards, Laurence Golden...

by Brian Hankey
"Here, kitty kitty"

Catphrodite's interview

" I model as a means of expression. I truly enjoy working with photographers to make a vision come to life. I've never looked at this as a way to find fame. I'm in fact quite content to live a quiet existence out of the spotlight. Unless, of course, the spotlight is part of a photographer's lighting arrangement." Catphrodite

by F. Shultz - "A stir of echoes"Post processing by Catphrodite

"I was playing around in Photoshop and came up with this."

Catphrodite at her deviantART, Model Mayhem, her first feature.

by Scott Nichol -
"Hidden"

by Michael Miles
"Taunting"




When did you begin modeling ?

I began modeling in August of 2001. My first shoot was with Olaf Starorypinski, who is a brilliant photographer.

Being an art model was always a dream of mine, and I was lucky enough to be introduced to Olaf through a mutual acquaintance. That first shoot was such a positive experience, it truly changed my life.

It changed your life... So, what do you like about modeling ?

I work for the creation of beauty. I hope I am an uplifting influence. Also, I love all the great friendships I've made along the way. I could stop modeling tomorrow and know that these folks would still be part of my life, and that is a wonderful thing.

by Scott Nichol
"Nothing fancy"

Is there something you don't like ?

I dislike the fact that there are people who feel that the naked human body is vulgar, and that I, or anyone, should be ashamed to be photographed or painted or sculpted or even just seen without clothes.


I agree ! Until now, what do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment ?

I recently modeled for Julie Bell and Boris Vallejo. I am still feeling the glow of that experience.


A great moment with famous artists. I'm impatient to see the results. A difficult question, for everybody : have you a favourite photo ?

If I have to pick one, it would be "Cell Block Waltz", shot by Olaf Starorypinski at the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. The prison is supposedly haunted, and I had to stand down that long, dark, chilly cell block all by myself, in the nude. Haunted or not, it was pretty intense. I loved it.

by Olaf Starorypinski
"Cell block waltz"

Olaf Starorypinski's experience and knowledge of light is the primary influence in his photographic work. Using light to "sculpt" subjects he creates images from a unique perspective.

Critics describe his photographs as "dynamic and sculptural", "works of subtlety and power", and "visual intrigue".

by Olaf Starorypinski
"Bethlehem Steel Nude 8"

by Diane Richter





Modeling is a difficult art, we'll never say it enough. What are you thinking during a shooting ?

I am thinking things like, "Be balanced. Know your center. I hope my hair is behaving."


Your work is absolutely outstanding. The way you pose, you move, your expressions, the emotion you bring us. You go so far beyond your beauty... What makes you so creative ?

Movement and form in nature, like patterns in the snow, fallen leaves, one of my cats curled up in the sun.


Indoors or outdoors, what kind of atmosphers inspire you when you're modeling ?

In the studio I enjoy having music on, and I like if it's a little chilly in temperature. I'm usually sweating by the time the shoot is done. If it's an outdoor shoot, being in nature is the perfect ambiance.

by Dan Unger

"Ireland" " Lounging around on a fallen standing stone out among the sheep on the Beara Peninsula of the west coast of Ireland. Photo by the wickedly handsome Dan Unger."

by Gregory Tapler

by Marcus J. Ranum -
"Somebody get me off of this box"

 Post processing by Catphrodite

And can you feel that your body is in the right place, in the right moment, in the best lighting ?

Yes, absolutely.

It's all about awareness.
In my mind's eye, I imagine that I am watching myself from the perspective of the camera.

Certainly the best way to do. You're working with many talented and very experienced photographers such as Scott Nichol, Marcus J. Ranum, Olaf Starorypinski, Bill Mason, Tiana Hunter... Is there a photographer you're dreaming to work with ?

I would love to work with Gregory Colbert. His images are breathtaking.

Catphrodite's credits :

- model for Julie Bell and Boris Vallejo
- painting ("Odysseus and the Sirens") displayed in the Allentown Art Museum by Eric Armusik
- cover of "Lehigh Valley Living"
- images in several issues of "Lehigh Valley Living"
- images in "Carrie Leigh's Nude"
- images in "Erotic Dreams and Nightmares" by Michael Alan Grapin
- images in "Nu Art en Noir et Blanc" by Jerry Harke
- images in "In the Still Air" by Scott Nichol
- image by Olaf Starorypinski in "Jade Magazine", a UK publication.

by Zeitgeist Photography
"Simply"










I hope he'll read your message... Talking about that, what makes you confident to plan a shooting with a photographer you don't know ?

I look at the photographer's work, and I see what models he's shot with, and if I get a good impression from that I will go for it.


Are you waiting to be guided or do you prefer to be free to move as you feel ?

It really depends on the situation. Some photographers know exactly what they want, and they've planned the shot(s) out in their mind before I even show up. I have no problem with that, I take direction very well. Other photographers prefer to let things flow more naturally, and I am more than happy to go with the tides.

by Angela Pilat
"Rock on"

by Bill Mason
"Yank"

How do you feel at the end of a shooting ? Exhausted, excited ?...

Hungry ! I burn up a lot of energy at a shoot.


I hear many good and bad things about the relationships between photographers and models. Do you find the photographers give to the art models all the credit they deserve ?

I have great relationships with a lot of the photographers I work with, and am pleased that I can call several of them friends, whether or not there is any photo equipment around. So, on a whole, yes, they treat me well.

Thanks a lot Catphrodite ! For everything... I wish you the best.

by Kenneth Volpe
"Harmony"