Favorite Pic of the Day for June 30th

Above:
Image from BEAUSTUDIOS
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Check out today's birthday's HERE:

An Impossible Mission:

The story isn't shocking really...and I am sure the blogosphere will be filled today with jokes and comments about couches. In some ways it is deserved. Cruise conducts himself with a degree of arrogance, overly confident, even cocky. He speaks clearly to those who listen that he is living a life worth emulating.

I just find the story sad. I had a true love for Dawson Creek's Joey Potter and true lust for Top Gun's Maverick. Both love and lust however, have long ago disappeared. So many rumours, hard not to think laced with some sort of truth. What, not my call, but being a Scientologist, and to be fair any religion, doesn't seem to bode well for long term relationships. Scientology and sexuality also clearly have an undefined, yet curious connection. Whatever the reason, I hope Cruise figures it all out soon because if not, and the pattern is continued, yet another young ingenue, will follow Rogers, Kidman and Holmes into the volcano...well for at least 5 years anyway.

Some Curry Closure:

Ok, so obviously from my last post or two on the subject, I like Ann Curry. I am one of those people who don’t really look for perky in the morning, I prefer competence. The only thing I wanted perked prior to 9am is my coffee. NBC (Conan anyone) has a history of screwing over their talent, and as a form of closure, let me again say Curry, who worked about 15 years at NBC, was royally screwed. She left with dignity though with just most subtle of digs.



I was never a fan of Katie Couric, still am not. To me, she and Matt were more Donny & Marie, than people I wanted to get my news from. That role belonged to Ann. Her seriousness was often called distant; I prefer to see as simply different, heck, professional. With the new (old) 'team' of Roker, Lauer, Moralis and Guthrie you have a rather similar, but really quite bland combo. A little Curry was certainly needed to give that dish a bit of a kick. After watching NBC kick the woman to the curb so quickly, Guthrie should not fill her dressingroom with too many knick knacks. I think NBC, sometime after the Olympics are over, are going to have to once again look for a way to find some excitement in their today. Curry was not the problem, but their solution, to once again pull a Norville, is not only short sited but so incredibly sexist.

BEAUSTUDIOS: Champagne Wishes And Caviar Dreams

When I first saw images from BEAUSTUDIOS I was instantly transported back to my childhood, growing up in the Eighties. A time when glamorour and wealth were fixtures on television on shows like DALLAS and Dynasty which ruled the airwaves. Joan Collins and her shoulder pads seemed on the cover of almost every magazine in the the grocery store check-out isles my mother dragged me through and Robin Leach chronicled every minute, and usually pointless, detail of the rich and the famous.



I was about ten in the mid eighties and although it might have been the product of my childhood eyes, life seemed more visually beautiful and most certainly more care free. Although we certainly didn't live in a manison nor have any servants, any financial struggles my parents faced were kept well hidden from my siblings and myself. Although money was tight, it still felt like everyone was living the high life to one degree...or another. One of my best memories from childhood was my parents social life. It seemed almost every Saturday they either went to, or had a party. Our rec room became smoked filled, alcohol flowed freely and the thought of a designated driver would have been scoffed at.



Even though money was a struggle, my mother always looked great. I don't know to this day if the other party goers knew her look came from taking in neighbourhood kids to watch after school. What little she made, she spent on material and patterns and most nights were spent sewing non stop to have a new dress for the weekend. This memory is a vivid one, not only because of the time and work she put into each dress but because of the nightly fights with her. Each time she hit the foot pedal on the sewing machine, television viewing was interuppted by the lines and fuzz across the screen. I don't remember watching any television shows in the eighties without those lines.



The funny thing about the eighties is although so much attention was paid to the eccentricities and excesses of the noteworthy and notorious; the real story was that the glitz and glamour could not really cover the reality. Being well known and wealthy could not really stop the pain that life so often loves to smack us with. Even the televison elite delt with issues such as alcoholism, car crashes, decease and disaster. I am sure most of weddings we all have attended in Moldavia castles have not ended in a bloody massacre.



Despite the glamour and beauty that permeates his art, obstacles and struggles have all keenly effected the work, and the life of BEAU, the artist behind BEAUSTUDIOS. BEAU has spent most of career working in Hollywood, painting for galleries and sharing his erotic works in books, prints and art shows. Then, without warning, it all almost came to a sudden and violent end. After a serious accident, hit by a fast moving car while at a crosswalk, BEAU was not expected to live. The accident and the long recovery process not only changed his outlook on life, but the way in which he was able to express himself artistically.



'My painting...was over, my disabilities preclude it, at any level near the old one...and I strive for excellence. Now I photograph, and focus on a number of projects along that line. Most of the photos here were shot about 4-5 ago, for a book I decided not to finish. Wasn't the fault of the photos. My health again stood in the way of such a huge project, but it did result in a wonderful gallery show in West Hollywood.'
BEAU

'The set up was that each model would appear in a series, each which approximates a loose story. My style is glamorous, hollywoodesque, lush. I use hot lights, and set up each tableau myself. With my male nudes, I am working on a series of ersatz haute couture photos to even more confuse people. In them, I design, make and fit a couture like gown on a model. I choose and make the scene, and shoot it as an art piece. As I am not a commercial photographer this project is overwhelming, but, the pieces are really coming together. The shots here are prelims as the work is still in progress!'

For most of his years in Hollywood, BEAU earned his living in costumes. His Berkeley major was in the practice of art, his minor, theatrical design. An internship in costume design followed at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. BEAU'S reputation initially came from his work as a painter, but just prior to the accident he had begun trying to drum up work with the studios, moving his costume design work from theatre into work in film. Just before the accidnt, the artist had lined up his next job and was scheduled to work on the film Kill Bill. Thankfully, imagination and creativty were not limited by his physical limitations and as you can see from these images, accident or not, BEAU'S desire to create continues to soar!

'[BEAU'S] technique is enviably casual; or at least looks that way. Viewing the pictures is like watching Fred Astaire dance. He makes it look effortless though of course common sense tells us that years of study and practice have gone into creating the illusion. BEAU works in oil, not acrylic, and on paper, not canvas. As a painter myself I know how intractable oil paint can often prove and find myself even more impressed by what he has acheived.'
Intro by Clive Barker for BEAU'S first book Beaumen

BEAUSTUDIOS on ModelMayhem

Hard Candy Christmas: 18 months with Chris Rockway

I was in a store on Sunday and all of sudden across the loud speaker came a few seconds of Frosty The Snowman and a jingle bell reminder that it was exactly six months til Chrismas Eve. Although it feels like the summer is just getting started, it was a cold reminder that we are closer to Christmas 2012 than we are to Christmas 2011.



Although the thought of Christmas might be a bit daunting, not to mention premature, thoughts of Chris Rockway are welcome any time of the year. Earlier this month (HERE:) I profiled new images of Chris from Prairie Visions Photography. Some of those images, 18 of them to be exact, have been put together in an incredible new 18 month calendar covering not one, but two hot Christmas themed months to spice up your holidays all the way through 2013!



Check out the calendar for yourself HERE: & check out more hot products available from Prairie Visions Photographer HERE: (just remember to click 'off' on the adult filter bar on the left!)

Favorite Pic of the Day for June 28th

Above:

Anthony Gee by Murray!

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Check out birthday's for June 28th HERE:

tMf #5 now out!

ISSUE 5 IS OUT NOW - 1st Anniversary Issue



Summer is upon us and the heat is nowhere as intense as it is in the 5th issue of tMf. The first anniversary issue is filled with over 150 man packed pages of some of the world’s hottest men! There is also a new, more refined look to the magazine to give even more focus to the images.

tMf cover model contest winner Kyle Goffney makes his full frontal debut in an sizzling California poolside shoot with Dylan Rosser, and interview with features editor Tye Briggs.



Also featured in the issue; an interview with New York photographer Kevin McDermott with images of model and designer Todd Sanfield from his new book Motel/Hotel. Tye Briggs profiles one of the masters documenting the male form, artist and photographer Robert J. Guttke. Check out the incredible 20 page portfolio of Guttke’s incredible work.

Also included in the anniversary outing, photographers Ethan James, Travers W. Dow, Eduardo Velasquez, James Ferringer, Mark Jenkins new series Reflections and so much more!

By bringing the best together in one place, tMf brings you page after page of the best of the male form. tMf is almost a ‘coffee table book’ within itself, with beautifully presented hi-resolution images and fun, behind the scenes information you need to know. tMf provides a platform for photographers, models and artists to gain exposure to a wider audience while providing viewers with a publication showcasing the best of the best.



ISSUE #5 is out now and priced at just $5.45.
Start the summer off by enjoying the male form!
www.tmfmagazine.com

Countdown to the Olympics!

With just about five weeks to the next Summer Olypics in London, that doesn't leave much time for swimmer Michael Phelps to put in the time to catch up with Ryan Lochte. Although I suspect Phelps has been holding back just a bit to both conerve energy, and safe a bit for surprise, it will be interesting to watch!




Also love me some Conor Dwyer who is also on his way to London!

Provocateur: Anthony Gee by Murray!

Detroit's Murray! has had two calendars, Studio Men, featuring his images published in 2011 and 2012 by Village Lighthouse under the Provocateur brand. I could think of no better adjective, (and isn't it a great one) than provocateur to describe the work of the Motown photographer. A provocateurs job is to provoke, wet the appetite, excite and of course...stimulate.

As your eyes feast on his many images, the viewer is visually stimulated instantly by the strength of both Murray's images and the models within his focus. Murray! has an incredible way of capturing an intense masculinity in his models, so strong you can almost feel it. The strength he captures comes not just from muscle but from a raw maleness that sadly is far too often edited or photoshopped away from many images of the male form that I see.

Originally from Canada, Murray spent 12 years in Toronto after completing college. building his career in advertising. Working at some of the biggest global agencies: Saatchi & Saatchi, Young & Rubicam and Wunderman. Murray is currently working as Creative Director for one of the big three automotive clients. That however, is just his day job. All of Murray's spare time is devoted to photography, capturing as many incredible looking men as he possibly can! In addition to his two calendars, Murray! is currently featured in Bruno Gmunder's recent release, COCK TALES.

It is hard to find a better example of what I love so much about Murray's images than his work with 27 year old model Anthony Gee. An incredible body and absolutely beautiful face. Anthony is not only impressive in appearance, he also displays a confidence and strength that exudes from every inch of his six foot frame. This strength comes from Anthony's strong passion for modeling and his quest to further improve his career.

'Anthony is one of those incredibly rare models who has an exquisite face, amazing body and is genuinely a wonderful guy. He is obviously very comfortable in his skin and happy to share his hours in the gym with anyone who wants to admire it. We have done three shoots in the last few months, and I look forward to starting an exciting new project with Anthony soon. Stay tuned!'

Murray!

'What can I say... Have you ever met someone and it feels like you've been friends forever? That's the connection I felt the first time shooting with Murray. He's such a down to earth, easy to work with person. His work speaks for it's self... phenomenal! Shooting with Murray and being apart of his work has reignited my dreams of a successful modeling/acting career. I would recommend him to anyone!'

Anthony Gee

For some reason, ever since I began putting together this piece, Murray's exclamation point has had me curious. It seem clear to me that it was not just a fluke it ended up there, but instead it was done with much though and intent.

'Growing up, I never liked my name, because I was Murray Grondin Jr. My dad had the same name, and I was always little Murray. Hated that. It always felt boring. When I was 25, I was going to legally change my name, I wanted something exciting, and what is more exciting than using an exclamation point! So I put it there, and it stuck. Now, I love my name.'

Thanks to Murray!, whose name certainly parrallels the excitment within his work, for sharing with FH and sending on these exclusive images below. This set, not previously seen, is from a shoot with Anthony two months ago.

Murray! Official Site:

Murray! on ModelMayhem

Anthony Gee on ModelMayhem

Eric Michael Cole in Gia

I saw Gia for the first time last week. It's funny, although I know so much about Angelina Jolie I have actually had little interest in most of her movies. I did enjoy Girl Interrupted, but in Gia she was painfully heartbreaking to watch. Great performances by Elizabeth Mitchell and a brief fun turn from Faye Dunaway.



I also loved Eric Michael Cole, whose relationship to Gia was beautifully never made too clear, yet it was powerfully enough depicted to make an impact. There is very little on Eric on the net but I will have to track down more of his work.






Gia by trevorbriggs