Elisa Lazo de Valdez joins us!

Elisa Lazo de Valdez at her official site, her blog, her live-journal, deviantART, Model Mayhem.

"Luna III"

"Beads II"

" My work has been described as sensual, erotic, surreal, dark, beautiful, inspired and just plain weird." 

Dark ?... I'm not so sure. Inspired and terribly original of course. With a mystical surreal touch, I agree. But Elisa Lazo de Valdez has forgotten to mention the inner poetry of her work, her prodigious imagination, and even somewhat deliciously romantic (in the true meaning of this wonderful word we love so much in France).

In her work, sophistication comes together with simplicity in an innovative artistic universe. Through a large and inventive portfolio, Elisa offers us her full range of talent and creativity.

No need to tell you how much I'm impressed by the high quality of her work, and glad to welcome such a great artist !

"White II"

" Hiding the bodies to better show them, disguising their appearance of a veil of smoke, of a wet and plastic transparency, of milk or dried mud, of a heavy fabric rich of anonymity to exalt their forms, then putting them in intertwining strings which distort the curves… A gallery of black-winged angels, a tarot of masks, and other series as imagination is multifaceted." Source Incubus' Choice

" I have been a commited photographer for over 6 years and a hobbyist 10 years prior to that.

I specialize in luxe fashion and creative nudes.

My work has appeared internationally for book covers, magazine features and gallery exhibitions.

My work has been described as sensual, erotic, surreal, dark, beautiful, inspired and just plain weird :

From photo-inside :

"Zoey"

" Heavily influenced by the pagan aspects of Catholic iconography, mythology, the Art Deco and Art Nouveau aesthetic and turn of the century horror fiction, her work reflects dark sensuality and luxury of form.

Having worked in the design and advertising field she is strongly drawn to the balance of form and the strength of color and contrast.

Elisa tries to express the beauty of form by contrasting it with texture and fabric, wrapping it in shadow and making us long for light.

It is the pure form hidden, promising delights beyond what we can see. Images that are dream like, exotic and alien."

"Wind I"

"The Descent"





I studied design and advertising and part of the program involved a semester of photography. I continued to shoot images to use as references for my illustrations and at some point realized the photographs themselves were complete works of art.

I always wanted to be a graphic designer and illustrator and it seems in the end I have become one with the camera as my tool.

"Butterfly Tree II"

My photography is inspired by illustrators, painters and costume designers : Eiko Ishioka, Yoshitaka Amano, Ray Cesar, Walton Ford, Andrew Wyeth, John William Waterhouse, William Bouguereau, John Singer Sargent to name a very few.

Man Ray was my first exposure to photography as an art form and I was fascinated with his work for a long time. I think Albert Watson is a modern genius, I admire the work of Floria Sigismondi for blinding color and have always loved Edward Curtis not only because most of his images of Native American tribes were staged and not authentic to the times but his idealized version of things but particularly because his studio portraits and unbelievably haunting.

"Golden"








"Golden II"

"The Scarlet Veil"

My creative process is very spur of the moment. My ideas are very raw and abstract in my mind and are inspired by books I am reading, painters and illustrators I love, movies I've seen, dreams, snippets of conversations, fairy tales, mythology and horror stories.

Up until the model steps through my door I am really not sure what we will be shooting and where beyond fashion or nude.

The whole day depends on the vibe I get from the model and what I think will suit them and of course how much they are willing to endure.

"Fainting Couch"

"Head Full of Yarn"

I would like to note that my images are not digitally manipulated but rather the effects and surreal elements are created in the real world using a theatrical mindset.

Masks (made by Phillip Valdez, Paper Sculptor), costuming, light reflection, projections and different fabrics and screens as filters are my tools of choice.

Although I shoot with a digital camera in my small way I am honoring the history of photography and creating my "realities" the old fashioned way !"

Welcome David Winge

David Winge at his official site, Red Bubble, deviantART, Model Mayhem.

"Going To California"
Art Model Rebel Smith

"Etheral"
Art Model Rebel Smith



" David Winge is a master of the environment, he is one with it, his photographs capture and communicate the essence of the desert." John Middelkoop, photographer.

And all is said... Back to the origins.

Yes, David Winge has a special connection with the desert. His hard work in outstanding natural landscapes bring us the very best of an unknown nature where his wonderful (and beloved, as you'll read it) art models seem to pose with an endless creativity.

Each of his photographs gives us a lesson in harmony and grace. His compositions are powerful, mostly inspired by his deep passion for the deserted lands, last peaceful territories in a world full of stupid frontiers and absurd barriers.

David is a devoted artist like I love them ! No need to hide it. I'm sure he can't live without his camera !... For all these reasons, I'm proud and happy to welcome him.

Thanks David to make our world such a beautiful place.

"But What I Really Want"
Art Model Amy

David Winge is an American art nude photographer (Orange County, California, USA). He took an early interest in photography and taught himself every aspect of photo finishing by retouching and preserving old family photographs.

After the dawn of the digital age in camera technology, David began taking frequent road trips to photograph desert landscapes and began posting his work on the Internet.

A chance meeting with an art model/photographer lead him to produce his first desert nude work which eventually will become the subject of his first book “Desert Nudes", available soon.

"Take It To The Limit"
Art Model Pearl

"Like every great artist, David crafts each image separately with pure talent yet manages to have a continuity line running through all of his work that makes it instantly recognizable. In a world where everyone can pick up a camera and shoot a nude, David´s work stands out making an impact on and inspiring all that see it."

Scott James Prebble, , photographer.

"First Light"
Art Model Green Bird Girl

I became interested in photography at a very early age. Through high school I took many photos and spent a lot of time restoring old family photographs in a friend's darkroom.

Although I pursued several other interests and hobbies, photography was always an important part of my life. I've always carried a camera with me, and was known as the family photographer.

Early in 2005 I began to return to photography as a full time hobby, I joined photography groups and achieved several goals, one of which was to photograph every one of the California missions.

Now I devote all of my free time to my photography, improving my skills and pushing the limits of digital photography.

"Without"
Art Model Kat Love -

" A phenomenal artistic nude model, self portrait artist and photographer. Working with Kat was a joy and inspiration, complex and elegant, graceful and stunning, she's a true artist's model with a beautiful personality. I recommend her very highly."















My strengths are in modeling photography, architecture and style, gardens, flowers and desert landscape.

My work has been featured in catalogs, shopping guides and web sites, my work can be seen on a wide variety of web sites, in San Gabriel Mission and published art periodicals. I was chosen to photograph the 4th annual Naked Desert Art Project and I have several upcoming projects both personal and for clients."

" Putting clothes on a model is akin to putting a parking lot over a field of flowers." David Winge

" True beauty is not a measurement, it is a spirit." David Winge

"Desert Morn"
Art Model Amy

" Amy is wonderful, talented, gorgeous and enthusiastic, even under the trying conditions
of Mojave on a hot day ! I would recommend her highly, we had great fun working together she's a sweetheart, and a phenomenal model !"










Art Model Karen

" Karen is much more than gorgeous, she is a talented artist and writer, she's a passionate and caring person, a pleasure to collaborate with and call Muse."

" The Desert inhabits a man’s soul if you spend enough time there. David Winge has put in the time and the results are plain to see. He is a master of the environment, he is one with it, his photographs capture and communicate the essence of the desert. The women in the photographs never steal the scene because they, as does David, inhabit the desolate landscapes. To me they represent his id. So much can be read into the images, but the ultimate impression is yours alone." John Middelkoop, photographer.

"Shelter"
Art Model Rebel Smith

Extracts from his interview at World of the Nude Art by Jarda Balek :

"Spirit In The Sky"
Art Model Pearl

Many of your photos are in desert. Is it a project and if so what would you say about it ?

It began as a single concept, a tribute image to a Maxfield Parrish painting, I initially intended on doing a series of these. Then when I began posting my desert work online it was very well received and appreciated, I decided to do more photo shoots in the deserts of southern California and compile them into a book.

I have now done photo shoots from Death Valley to Anza Borrego with about 18 different models, one of which is helping me edit the book now and I hope to have it available very soon.










"Madman"
Art Model Pearl




In your opinion, what does it take to be a good nude art photographer ?

I feel you must have a passion for creativity and beauty and see it everywhere, adding the human form to my images gave them a soul and brought my work to life.

"Treasure"
Art Model Amanda

I also believe the collaboration between a photographer and model plays an important role, perhaps a bit more so than in fashion or editorial.

A photographer is a natural observer so if you allow a model the time and space to explore her surroundings you need only use your knowledge of composition, light & timing to capture the scene.

A good photographer will also input concept, ideas and direction but in the end a good art nude photograph results when there is harmony in all these elements."

"Cash"
Art Model Rebel Smith










"Don't Want To Think"
Art Model Nora

Thank you Art Models !

"Adrift"
Art Model Rebel Smith

I want to give a special and very heartfelt thank you to all the art models out there, you give us all so much and make our world a truly beautiful place.

You are the cornerstone that makes it possible for other artists, photographers and designers to bring our shared visions to life and create exceptional work.

"Down To My Last Teardrop"
Art Model Pearl

















I sincerely admire how you deal with all the adverse conditions, cold early mornings, short and long hikes, the trash and debris other's have left behind, long hours in a studio or driving to location.

I feel so very fortunate to have worked with outstanding people as represented in my galleries and to view some absolutely breathtaking work from others.

So from me personally, you all have my utmost respect and sincere gratitude.

Thank you so much.

"Life Is Beautiful"
Art Model Amy








David Winge ©

Welcome Christophe Vermare

" I found an "easy" path to collect feeling and feed my fusion core : I take pictures." Christophe Vermare

Christophe Vermare at Model Mayhem, absolutearts, deviantART.

"Reflections in Green water"
Art Model Kyla Cole

"Nude 05"

Christophe Vermare is a french photographer living in Japan.

Working mostly in B&W, Christophe Vermare shoots like a sculptor, plays with the light like a painter and always looks for the feelings more than the reality.

I know his fantastic work since a long time, of course, and I love his artistic compositions in great settings, his so particular creativity, his expressive models, never far from water, his preferred element. There is an amazing sensuality in all his appealing nude pictures, a special touch we can't miss.

"Nude 23"

Growing up in Montalivet, France, along the Atlantic coast, Christophe Vermare was raised in a nudist family.

He says growing up like that helped him to discover the little magical moments in life. It wasn't the perfectly formed Swedish girls who were sunbathing by him that struck him so. It was those infinitely brief moments, flashes of brilliance that truly moved him. Glimpses of a woman's curves, her breast breaking through her hair with everything framed by the sea and sun. It was an epiphany for him.











Christophe Vermare now holds a doctorate in Plasma Physics and his life has changed from those idyllic days of his boyhood. But the sea still draws him, and windsurfing and sailing are passions.

Another is photography - an interest he picked up when he started taking pictures of a girl named Anne, who eventually became his wife.

Shooting such photos, he says, is not about intimacy, rather it is about making a brief vision last for eternity.

"Alolicris 1"










"Alolicris 2"

Extract from his journal :

It seems to be time for me to write down some lines about the way I live Photography. English is not my native language - hope you will catch some - if not you can always ask me to practice some more...

"Kyla portrait 09"
Art Model Kyla Cole

First, it's clear to me that every art must start on a set of emotions, before anything.

When emotions are here, your mind acts as a fusion power plant for a while - souvenirs are mixed with the projections of reality you just collected, education driven reactions try to control some but all this magic will leave you different for sure, you are bleeding, you don't have to bite your tongue - but you did.

Want some more ? Sure we do. We enjoy this new state for a period of time, new questions, more focused interests on particular things, need to exchange with others... but like coming back from the sea, as soon you reach the harbor even before tying the ropes - you know. You know that you will need more. You want to live.









"elle eau"























I found an "easy" path to collect feeling and feed my fusion core. I take pictures. Damn ! What a scoop. Every one does, every one projects reality on 2D paper, every one uses those to remember, to feel again... so do I.

But two things : before and after the CLICK. "Before" can be the perfect time to look around, take time and search. Think about what you like and be trapped on this no end path - knowing yourself.

I collected projections but now, "after", the much more complicated process can continue. What do I like, I prefer ? Why this particular light on this particular person obliges me to look somewhere else ? Why this old tree under this sky asks me to cry ?









Photography allows an evolution process, gives you a base to play with.

You can change this color or this form on this ridiculous screen or piece of paper and it will act through your mind as a possible reality. Judas, you just give your fuel - a synthetic one, but it's burning !

Just like a sculptor who starts with forms he found in nature and just change them... He doesn't know how to start from ground... yet...

"Nude 02"





Maybe I will be a drawer or a painter in the next life - if I learn to.

His new book

so Kyla
Carnet n°1
Just published !
Standard Portrait
8x10 inches (20x25 cm)
38 pages


His first "carnet" dedicated to two exchanges he had with Kyla Cole.

To purchase : here.

Christophe Vermare ©