Photography : Jay Jorgensen Photograph

In the mid 90's I started modeling for photographers that were exploring the male nude. The photoshoots were natural for me to do and the resulting images were moments in time that I have collected and organized. My paintings utilize the imagery from current and part shoots. Using adhesives, I fuse the photography onto the canvas. I remember the exact moment that I decided to cut the figure out of the photograph and put it on the canvas. It felt risky to cut into the image, but the result was overpowering and I felt like I was onto something. The early pieces were experimental. I was not sure how much stress the images and canvas could take and wanted to make sure the paintings would hold up over time. From those early pieces to my work today the process has changed little. The biggest difference is the confidence I have in them. I feel like I am doing something that is all my own. Whether I am making a painting, or modeling for a shoot, I am looking to explore the creative side of being human. The paintings and photography are expressions of my journey and each brings new opportunities. My paintings also seek to explore the dynamics of censorship and eroticism. The possibilities are endless because each painting is a new opportunity to discover and share something.