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Feb 2012 16

by Blogbot

[Cherrybomb]

[Nahp Suicide]

Artist / SG Member Name: Jake Prendez a.k.a. Tattoo_Jake

Mission Statement: I live because of art. It was my avenue out of gangs, it was there for me when my mom was sick, it was there for me during all my break ups. It has always been my outlet that has allowed me to express what I couldn’t say in words. I was raised to leave a place better then when I got there and I try to use my talents to make this world a little bit better.

Medium: Mostly Acrylic and aerosol.

[Carrina Suicide]

Aesthetic: My style is heavily influenced by street and subversive art, Chicano/indigenous culture, Los Angeles, and social justice movements.

Notable Achievements: Despite having dyslexia, despite constantly being told by teachers that I’d never make it, despite having a drug and alcohol addicted parent, despite being involved in gangs, despite being a father at 19, I was able to graduate from college and enter a masters program. Last December I was able to go to Guanajuato Mexico for two weeks to paint two murals for foster youth girls at the Buen Pastor Shelter with ten other LA artists. We were also able to do workshops for the girls on stenciling, photography, graphic design, drawing, and painting.


[Walk Like An Egyptian]

Why We Should Care: I am still lucky enough to be painting for myself so I really don’t care if anyone else likes my work or not. I paint what I want and what I want to see. Art has saved my life and I try to use my gifts to help others, whether it be “at risk” youth or used in social justice campaigns. My goal isn’t to impress collectors but to use my skills to uplift communities.

I Want Me Some: Visit: laughterinsurgency.com/

[Stigmata Suicide]

[Dia Del Los Muertos]

[..]

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Feb 2012 14

by Nahp Suicide


[Albertine in Antique Dress (self portrait)]

Albertine is from in Milan, Italy. She has been a Suicide Girl and a SG Photographer since 2004 and has shot more than 200 sets!

How did you first get involved with SuicideGirls?

An old friend of mine, Aiki, was on the site. I was at the time studying photography and specifically was into a self portrait project, so I did a test shoot of myself for the site and the set was bought!



What’s your background photography-wise?

I studied photography in Italy at IED and then took a masters degree at SVA in NY.



What was the first photo you had published?

It was a picture for an Italian fashion magazine (“D”) that I shot while I was in NY: it was a big cardboard box sitting on a doorstep and you could see the hand of a girl trying to get out from one corner, as if the girl had been delivered to someone.




[Ultima in More Naked Than You]

How would you describe your style?

This is a hard one, as I am constantly in conflict with myself wondering if I even HAVE a style. Generally, I like my models to feel comfortable. I like them to feel hot/pretty. For editorial work I love using references in the world of comics/ movies/illustration. I like it when an image triggers imagination.



What gear do you use?

I generally shoot with a Nikon D700, my lighting equipment depends on the job and the situation.



How important is Photoshop in your final images?

If I shot digital is very important, as I think that completely unprocessed digital images aren’t appealing: I think about Photoshop as if it was a digital darkroom, and the raw digital file a film negative.



What gives you ideas and inspires you to create such amazing sets?

My style as far as SG shoots has changed a lot throughout the years. My sets used to be very themed, as I liked the idea of freeing the imagination of the model and the concept of playing a role/character. Nowadays I try to be as minimalistic as I can, and portray each model’s peculiar way of being sexy.




[Manko in Candy Darling]


[Manko in Shunga]


[Manko in Dead End]

What is your favorite image?

There are so many that I love!

Tell us why it’s your fave and how you achieved it?

I guess that my favorite shoots of all times are the ones I did with Manko: I think we grew up together as friends and artists, and we always create something that is unique, and also never boring. I like to think of her as my muse.




Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph that you haven’t? (And tell us why)

I want to photograph tons and tons more. I am very intrigued about shooting more artists. I have a craving for faces that can communicate experiences, love and struggles, faces that have sparkles in their eyes!


[Waikiki in All Of Me]

Related Posts:
In Focus: The Photographers of SuicideGirls feat. Holley
In Focus: The Photographers of SuicideGirls feat. Dwam
In Focus: The Photographers of SuicideGirls feat. Writeboy
In Focus: The Photographers of SuicideGirls feat. IvyLlamas
In Focus: The Photographers of SuicideGirls feat. Lavezzarro

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Feb 2012 10

by Steven-Elliot Altman (SG Member: Steven_Altman)

Our Fiction Friday serialized novel, The Killswitch Review, is a futuristic murder mystery with killer sociopolitical commentary (and some of the best sex scenes we’ve ever read!). Written by bestselling sci-fi author Steven-Elliot Altman (with Diane DeKelb-Rittenhouse), it offers a terrifying postmodern vision in the tradition of Blade Runner and Brave New World

By the year 2156, stem cell therapy has triumphed over aging and disease, extending the human lifespan indefinitely. But only for those who have achieved Conscientious Citizen Status. To combat overpopulation, the U.S. has sealed its borders, instituted compulsory contraception and a strict one child per couple policy for those who are permitted to breed, and made technology-assisted suicide readily available. But in a world where the old can remain vital forever, America’s youth have little hope of prosperity.

Jason Haggerty is an investigator for Black Buttons Inc, the government agency responsible for dispensing personal handheld Kevorkian devices, which afford the only legal form of suicide. An armed “Killswitch” monitors and records a citizen’s final moments — up to the point where they press a button and peacefully die. Post-press review agents — “button collectors” — are dispatched to review and judge these final recordings to rule out foul play.

When three teens stage an illegal public suicide, Haggerty suspects their deaths may have been murders. Now his race is on to uncover proof and prevent a nationwide epidemic of copycat suicides. Trouble is, for the first time in history, an entire generation might just decide they’re better off dead.

(Catch up with the previous installments of Killswitch – see links below – then continue reading after the jump…)

[..]

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Feb 2012 09

by Blogbot

Artist / SG Member Name: Zoetica Ebb / Zoetica

Mission Statement: A cosmonomad on a mission to explore uncharted worlds and harvest the strangest of plants for my documentation and public education.

Medium: Oil, ink, graphite, digital – for now. I’m going to be dabbling in sculpture for next year’s Conjoined in 3D exhibit at Copro Nason.

Aesthetic: I’m exploring my fascination with Chapter 8 of À rebours and the concept of alien flora. My paintings are modeled after antiquated botanical illustration.

Notable Achievements: Owner of popular art and style blog, Biorequiem, co-founder of Coilhouse Magazine, designer of the GHST RDR jacket and skirt, creator of custom tattoos, SG staff photographer since 2006. Look for my next piece at the March 17th reception of Gag Me With a Toon at WWA Gallery in Culver City, and check out “Alien Botany” – my brand new limited-edition prints.

Why We Should Care: How many real-life Cosmonomads do you know? Come ON.

I Want Me Some: Visit: Biorequiem.com/shop

[..]

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Feb 2012 07

by Nahp Suicide


[Holley in Maybe Baby]

Holley is from United Kingdom. She has been with SuicideGirls since 2008, and is both a model and a photographer.




How did you first get involved with SuicideGirls?

My friends had known about it for a while. I looked into it, LOVED the idea, shot myself a set, and the rest is history!



What’s your background photography-wise?

I have a few photography qualifications, including a photography and digital imaging degree. 



What was the first photo you had published?

It was promotional images of a famous drummer for a drum case company a few years ago!




[Galda in Ophelia Fancyr]

How would you describe your style?

Arty and retro :)



What gear do you use?

I use a Nikon D3, my favorite lenses (50mm and 35mm), and a reflector.

How important is Photoshop in your final images?

It used to be really important, but now I use it a lot less. Mainly now for the colors in the images and blemishes.



What gives you ideas and inspires you to create such amazing sets?

Alissa and Cherry inspire me. I love how cinematic Cherry’s work is and how crisp and amazing Alissa’s work is. Also the model can be great for inspiration!




[Leon in Observations]

What is your favorite image?

Image 39 from Leon – “Observations

.” [above]

Tell us why it’s your fave and how you achieved it?

It’s my fave because Leon showcases SG perfectly for me. She’s so full of confidence and looks so happy here! I shot this set with natural light and used my reflector to bounce light back onto her face.



Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph that you haven’t? (And tell us why)

There’s too many.
I’d love to shoot either Annalee or GoGo. They are fascinating beautiful models.
Non SG wise? One day I’ll have a live shot of Dave Grohl published.


[Saiylor in In Ribbons]

Related Posts:

In Focus: The Photographers of SuicideGirls feat. Dwam
In Focus: The Photographers of SuicideGirls feat. Writeboy
In Focus: The Photographers of SuicideGirls feat. IvyLlamas
In Focus: The Photographers of SuicideGirls feat. Lavezzarro

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Feb 2012 03

by Steven-Elliot Altman (SG Member: Steven_Altman)

Our Fiction Friday serialized novel, The Killswitch Review, is a futuristic murder mystery with killer sociopolitical commentary (and some of the best sex scenes we’ve ever read!). Written by bestselling sci-fi author Steven-Elliot Altman (with Diane DeKelb-Rittenhouse), it offers a terrifying postmodern vision in the tradition of Blade Runner and Brave New World

By the year 2156, stem cell therapy has triumphed over aging and disease, extending the human lifespan indefinitely. But only for those who have achieved Conscientious Citizen Status. To combat overpopulation, the U.S. has sealed its borders, instituted compulsory contraception and a strict one child per couple policy for those who are permitted to breed, and made technology-assisted suicide readily available. But in a world where the old can remain vital forever, America’s youth have little hope of prosperity.

Jason Haggerty is an investigator for Black Buttons Inc, the government agency responsible for dispensing personal handheld Kevorkian devices, which afford the only legal form of suicide. An armed “Killswitch” monitors and records a citizen’s final moments — up to the point where they press a button and peacefully die. Post-press review agents — “button collectors” — are dispatched to review and judge these final recordings to rule out foul play.

When three teens stage an illegal public suicide, Haggerty suspects their deaths may have been murders. Now his race is on to uncover proof and prevent a nationwide epidemic of copycat suicides. Trouble is, for the first time in history, an entire generation might just decide they’re better off dead.

(Catch up with the previous installments of Killswitch – see links below – then continue reading after the jump…)

[..]

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Feb 2012 02

by Blogbot

Artist / SG Member Name: Dylan Borgman / Seahorse

Mission Statement: I decided on portraiture a long time ago at an art museum. I realized how every time I’d look at a painting the first thing I’d ask myself is who is this person and why did someone take the time to paint them? People are fascinated by each other. What are they doing? Why are they doing that? The answer to that can often be found in the person’s face.

That’s how I fell down the rabbit hole. I started painting large oil paintings of people caught in the middle of awkward expressions. My paintings were imposing and bizarre, and while I liked the darkness and the strangeness I could convey with paint, it also dragged me down emotionally. Eventually, I decided that my scope was too narrow and that I wanted to try depicting other emotions you don’t see every day like arousal. So my work suddenly took a turn into photographing Suicide Girls.

It’s not such a strange transition. I’ve always also been a professional photographer. I base my paintings on photography, and ever since I began painting, I’ve been working with real people in uncomfortable situations. What I like about working with Suicide Girls in comparison to most of the so-called “erotic” models is that most of them have no formal modeling training and unlike most gigs, SG lets the community voice their opinions before a model is accepted so you end up with a lot of very motivated, courageous, and unique individuals.

A few months ago, an illustrator and friend of mine, Steve Curucu, who does a lot of nudes, even some with SG’s, inspired me to try another stab at painting. So that’s what I’ve been experimenting with the past few months with some very interesting results.

Medium: I started in oils working on a large scale. Most of my paintings are six feet wide or larger. Then later I got used to a Wacom tablet. Now I use both. My digital artwork is a blend of photography, illustration, and painting, but I don’t limit myself by medium either. I weld, I work with beads, wire, rope, origami, I sculpt in clay, I program, I sew, I develop, I write – the list goes on. And of course I’m a photographer, that’s the other side of my creative life.

Aesthetic: My painting aesthetics tend toward Joseph Turner, Vincent Van Gogh, Chuck Close, and Rembrandt. It’s worth mentioning that they all share the virtue of being incredible color theorists, which is something I aspire to be. CF Payne was a local artist where I grew up and he was a big inspiration for me. His work is photographically based, and he works with multiple mediums layered one on top of another to create beautiful portraits. Illustrators also play a big part of my aesthetic. People like Bill Watterson, Ralph Steadman, and of course my father who is a cartoonist as well, all played a seminal role in getting me interested in art in the first place.

Notable Achievements: My work has been shown at the Cincinnati Museum of Art and the Montgomery Art Center in Claremont, and I received the Golden Galaxy Award in 2001. Articles about me and my work have appeared in The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Cincinnati Post, Cincinnati Magazine, and Fixie Magazine.

Why We Should Care: I think people intrinsically care about art. You don’t have to tell someone to appreciate a beautiful painting; they do it on their own. I’ve come to the conclusion that for me, art is about communicating to others the emotional energy of a moment that I have experienced. That’s why I use strong colors and iconic expressions. If I’ve done this successfully then others will care because it reminds them of their own feelings or experiences. It’s also why I like SuicideGirls. It’s a community of extremely creative people communicating with one another visually as I do.

I Want Me Some: If you’re interested in prints or originals contact dylan@dylanborgman.com or go to my web site DylanBorgman.com and click “contact.”

[..]