The Return of.. Sydney <3<3<3

Shipping April 15 is the Spring 2009 issue of Carrie Leigh's NUDE Magazine. I am fortunate enough to have seen the files of the issue before it went off to press and all I can say is, there doesn't appear to be any slowing down of the quality or content over there.

The issue once again is jam-packed with amazing art and photography. Contributors include: Carrie Leigh, Darren Phillips, Gabriele Rigon, Dan West, Michael Sui, David Lebeck, Tome Lane, Chip Willis, Antoine De Villiers, Deborah Anderson, Franchesco!, Gary Mitchell, Lloyd Rosen, Guenter Knop... and me :)

There is also a feature by journalist Sharon Waxman on "The New Media". It is a good read.

I am happy, and proud, to see in this issue, the work of Franchesco!. Franchesco! is an artist who's work I have been familiar with for a few years now. His work is a little different from the kind of work that has been exhibited in NUDE in the past. Franchesco! like me, has a background in comic books and illustration, and has a style all his own. He has created some truly beautiful works, outside of his comic book work, that maintains his comic book/ illustration roots, and can at the same time be considered fine art nudes. You can see a preview of one of the pieces in the preview issue at carrieliegh.com.

Best of all in this issue is.. The return of NUDE magazines first cover model Sydney Brown .. I have said before that there is a disadvantage of appearing in the first issue of any publication. It is that as a new title, people are not looking for it. Most pick it up because they stumble across it on a magazine rack. The print run is much smaller because it is unpredictable how well it will sell, so there too, only so many will actually see it, but soon if you are lucky, the magazine, the readership, and the distribution and print runs will grow as happened with NUDE.

NUDE became a hit... A huge hit. But are the people who buy NUDE today familiar with Sydney Brown, NUDE's first cover model?

Well.. They are going to know now. Sydney is back and hotter than ever. Carrie Leigh has shot another amazing pictorial with Sydney including a new cover that has broken the short tradition of NUDE covers. I can't imagine that this issue wont fly off shelves for the cover alone. It is Hot.. Sydney is beautiful... It is gonna sell.. trust me.. fast.

The Spring 2009 issue is shipping April 15. I try to let people know when the issues will be on the news stands, but there are all kinds of problems that seem to happen between when the books leave the distributors and when they his the stand, so I can only guesstimate. And when they do come out they sell so fast. I suggest for those who really don't want to miss this issue that they go to the website where they are now offering, at least in the United States, that for the cover price, you can have this issue delivered to your door. It is a great offer and insures you getting your issue. Check here for offer.

New art soon. I am inspired!

Joel <-- President of the Sydney Brown fan club

PS... Anastasia, Alicia, and Chanon.. I love you too!

New Wacom Sketch

Just another Wacom practice piece. The Model is Jamie Eason and it is based on a Photograph by Chaz.

New NUDE cover coming soon.. Wait til you see how hot it is.. They just keep getting better with every issue.

Enjoy
Joel

PS. XtremeCamera.com calls Carrie Leigh's NUDE Magazine a printing master piece.

Read Article

Wacom Sketching

Save a tree, buy a Wacom.

A couple of years back. One of the guys in my studio came to me and said that Wacom had a new product out, a new monitor tablet, and that Wacom could send a representative over to demonstrate it.

I said, "not interested", it is gonna cost a fortune and the novelty will eventually fade, and we will be back to mouses and separate tablets in no time.

They went and had the representative come by anyway...

From the room were they were doing the demonstration, I heard the ooohs and aaahs, and eventually I went over to look at this very expensive toy....

$2600's later not only did I end up with the Wacom Cintiqu monitor, but I was the only one in the studio who did get one.. Figures right?

But I will say this, today, I don't know that I could work without one.. God forbid this thing breaks and I can't afford another one for a while. It has become as much a part of what I do as a pencil and paper and in some cases, is replacing the pencil and paper. The attached image is just a quick sketch 30 minutes. Something I like to do to keep my hand loose of work out ideas of just play. It is all digital in Photoshop. I even have a brush that mimics pencil.

The work I do for NUDE magazine is still done the traditional way, mostly because I like to have an original to sell, but also because I still need practice in doing finished art on the tablet... But man.. I love the sketching, and one day, I am sure I wont need paper anymore...

Winter 2009 Issue of NUDE

So… I am excited. Sometime in the beginning of January, my friends at NUDE are releasing their 6th art packed issue of Carrie Leigh’s NUDE Magazine.

Sell out issue after sell out issue, Carrie and her staff are still finding the best talent out there in artistic nude photography and art and putting them all together for you.

This issue brings the talented work of Gigi Stoll, A.J. Kahn, Joris Van Daele, Mark Hoppe, Christophe Vermare, Norbert Gutheir, Sylvie Blum, Carrie Leigh, and Kim Weston. With Features with Pop Artist Mel Ramos, Nude art collector and aficionado Don Sanders and an exclusive interview with Hollywood and Broadway icon, and civil rights activist, Ruby Dee.

And of course there is one of my favorite parts of Carrie’s magazine… The Cover Model. Aside from being an amazing photographer, the other thing I would definitely credit Carrie Leigh with is picking cover models. Every new model is as beautiful as the last. (There are men’s magazines out there that should chose as well as she does.)

Anastasia Esper is the new cover model for the Winter 2009 issue of NUDE, and what a way to start off 2009. I am so in love with this model, and it is obvious from what I have seen so far, Carrie’s camera loves her too. Carrie was obviously inspired working with Anastasia. So much so I have pestered Carrie for prints of some of the images… And I will continue to pester her till I get them.. ☺

You have to get this issue and see what I am talking about. Preview it here

If you manage to get past the loveliness of Anastasia and her pictures, you may find that I have a new piece in the issue too. Just one… in the middle somewhere.. Maybe you want to look for it before you go to Anastasia?.. so you will see it.

If you are a newcomer to NUDE Magazine and missed the first issues, I can’t say enough about how amazing the year one boxed collection is.. I really should have mentioned this earlier, before Christmas. It would make a great gift or addition to your own collections. The individual issues on EBay have gone for between $30 and $50. The Boxed set comes with each issues individually shrink-wrapped and set in a protective box with a certificate of authenticity signed by publisher and photographer Carrie Leigh. It is a great deal.

Get a boxed set

Get NUDE for Christmas

Give the gift of art, with a holiday subscription to NUDE Magazine. From now til December 18 you can share with friends and loved ones, the world's most collectable, premiere fine art and photography magazine.

The gift subscription includes one year, 4 issues, of Carrie Leigh's NUDE Magazine, starting with the upcoming Winter 2009 issue. Your recipient will also recieve, before Christmas, a card announcing your gift.

4 issues plus a holiday announcement card for the amazing price of 34.95 (shipping included)

Offer expires after December 18 2008, and is available in the United States only.

Get Your Gift Subscription Now

NUDE Magazine's Second Annual Photography Contest

Carrie Leigh's NUDE Magazine, is giving back to the world of fine art! Because of the publics support support, the magazines subscriptions and distribution has exceeded expectations. As a thank you, NUDE is now offering CASH PRIZES as well as an EXHIBIT in NUDE's Second Annual Photography Contest!!!

Due to the magazine's unprecidented growth, in the collapse of the world's financial market, NUDE has LOWERED their photography contest entry fees and have added a CASH PRIZE BONUS for the winners!!! Carrie Leigh wants to share NUDE's good fortune and give back to the world of fine art!

Second Annual Photography Contest

Almost Here. What a cover! Robert Wuhl Interview.. etc

On or near Sept 18, the new issue of NUDE Magazine, the Fall 2008/ 1st anniversary issue, will finally be out. 

For the first time since the magazine had come out, this issue will also be available on the CarrieLeigh.com website. The copies there are available for order now. This is gonna be great news for those who have had trouble finding issues of NUDE when they come out because they sell out so damn fast. I live in Los Angeles. If I do not go out and get mine in the first few days of the release.. they will be gone and I have to scrounge around. 

Entertaining and interesting in the new issue is the comedic and politically driven interview with Robert Wuhl. Robert Wuhl has really funny specials on HBO called "Assume the Position with Mr Wuhl" in which he teaches a college course on interesting and funny fact and myths in American history. It is with this in mind that NUDE talks to "Mr Wuhl" about the present day elections, candidates and politics. It is a great read, and includes an amazing photoshoot by Carrie Leigh of Robert Wuhl as George Washington supported by NUDE Cover Models, the stunning Sydney Brown <3 and this issues beauty Alicia Marie Clark

Alicia Marie Clark... What a way to start off a new year for NUDE. What a cover. Classy and beautiful, you cant help but stare at the cover and fall into the models eyes. Alicia is such a pretty girl and amazing model. I had opportunity to meet Alicia while the cover was being put together and thought she was as pretty in person as in the photos. She is a sweet heart too. I think the world is going to be seeing a lot more of her in the future. The cover is hot, her opening photo of her shoot is absolutely stunning. 

Lots'a great photographers. Artist Eric Wallis, and of course, a new piece by me. Don't miss out on this issue. On Newsstands and Bookstores and Online NUDE Store.

New Practice Piece

I haven't been drawing much lately. I had other JOB related stuff to do. but I am getting back into it. This was a warm up piece for the new work I will have in the Fall issue of NUDE. I got it done just in time. 

Enjoy

Joel

PS. Subscribe

Nude News

Wow... I have mentioned in a previous blog about the the success of Carrie Leigh's Magazine compare to the failures of so many, one time popular, magazines today. This is really amazing because NUDE is not a sports or entertainment magazine, nor is it an erotic men's magazine even though it contains nude images and it's name is "NUDE".  

NUDE is a fine art, black and white, artist nude art magazine, and it is not only selling off racks as soon as it hits, but it is being talked about and making news.

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LOS ANGELES, July 18, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----Fine art publisher Carrie Leigh announced today that she has expanded Nude Magazine's distribution base. With the release of the summer issue, in stores now, Ms. Leigh says that she has added Barnes and Noble to her existing distribution base which includes Borders, Joseph Beth, Hastings and other fine booksellers and newsstands throughout America.

In meeting her first year's goal for the United States Distribution of Carrie Leigh's Nude, she also says that she is now looking to expand distribution in foreign markets that presently include: Canada, Germany, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Luxembourg and Brazil.

Fine art photographer Carrie Leigh, who lived with Hugh Hefner in the early to late 1980's founded Nude in 2007 to fill a void in the publishing world. According to Ms. Leigh, "there was not an outlet for established artists or undiscovered talent to have their work seen by the world, so we created one."

Carrie Leigh's Nude is a high end plate printed, sheet feed art quarterly that has been called a book disguised as a magazine which has been embraced by art aficionados throughout the world.

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CARMEL, Calif., Aug 01, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----The success of Carrie Leigh's NUDE Magazine has set a new standard for the world of fine art aficionados, says historian, lecturer and photographer Kim Weston. "Imagine, it has taken almost fifty years for America to catch up with the rest of the world in how the female form is viewed as art and not pornography. In Europe and Japan the female body has been viewed in the way NUDE portrays it for decades and now finally in America we have a publication that breaks new ground for artistic freedom. My grandfather, the legendary photographer, Edward Weston, had spent his last years attempting, but with no success, to publish his work in a format similar to Carrie Leigh's NUDE." Weston says, "Ironically, it took decades for Edward's work to be published by the Getty Museum, and now we have a quarterly fine art magazine that exhibits the finest fine art photographers."

Weston continues, "Considering that twenty years ago photographer Carrie Leigh was titled the First Lady of Playboy, who would have guessed that both her talent and taste, in art, would be the tremendous force that is now establishing the way the world sees the female form.

"I have had the pleasure of both exhibiting in NUDE and working with Carrie Leigh," adds Weston, "and I can truly say that her talent as a artist and a curator will be felt for years to come."

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Playboy's Former First Lady, Carrie Leigh Signs Multi Million Dollar Distribution Contract for NUDE Magazine

LOS ANGELES, Aug 05, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Rider Circulation Services has announced that publisher Carrie Leigh has signed a multi year multi million dollar extension contract for the distribution of her magazine NUDE. According to Mike Werner, "in it's first year Carrie Leigh's NUDE has established itself as the leader in the fine art world and it's growth is unprecedented for a magazine of it's gender Since its release in September 2007, Carrie Leigh's NUDE has become one of the fastest growing publications in many years and we are pleased to be the distributors of this title. In addition to NUDE, Rider Circulation Services has offered Ms. Leigh a development deal for future titles."

"Ms. Leigh's is a very astute publisher," adds Mr. Werner, "therefore because she has proven that she has the ability to create print product for niche markets we have extended her distribution contact to include all new titles she wishes to produce."

Gary Frischer, spokesperson for the Carrie Leigh Publishing Group confirms that, "Carrie is obviously pleased with her new contact and we are developing another title but are very cautious in that we believe that it is a mistake to produce a magazine that is replicated by thousands of internet sites. NUDE is a one of a kind high quality magazine that Carrie Leigh created with every element of fine art and photography in mind. Her goal was to place a fine art quarterly back on the coffee table and by the success of NUDE she has obviously succeeded. The new publication will have the same quality and impact of NUDE and we are looking forwards to its launch in 2009."

SOURCE Rider Circulation Services

Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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To me this is all amazing.. I am sooooo proud of my friends who put this all together. I am honored to have my little part in it as an artist, and I am hoping to see the magazine go on  for a long time.

With the chaos going on in this country and the world around us, and puritanical values that, at times, seemed to be being force upon us, that art and artistic nudity can find it's place and be successful.

New NUDE Website

Ok.. Another NUDE Blog... But at least I am involved in this one.. :)

I just spent this weekend with Carrie Leigh and her husband Gary reworking their website. Carrie's website has been getting an amazing amount of traffic since the magazine started dominating the bookstores and newsstands. So they thought it was time to update the website. So I got the call to see if I could do it. I am no expert, but I know a little html and stuff. So.. In a weekend... with Carrie breathing down my neck.. We banged out a new website.

One of the cool new features is a flash preview of each of the magazines. Found a cool little program and voila... Cool Little flipbooks. Check here:

http://www.carrieleigh.com/Nissues.html

Also... Not sure if I mentioned this previously, but this summers issue closes the first year of publishing, so on top of the already amazing collectors boxed set they are offering, Carrie is also, for a limited time offering a discount of a two year subscription that is almost like buying 2 years for the price of one. Cool beans.

BTW.. Most of the big cities around the country have pretty much sold out of the Summer issue already. One book Chain even called Carrie directly to see if they could get more copies... Subscriptions are sounding better if you dont want to miss my next piece in the magazine... If I can get back to the drawing board again.. Busy busy busy around here.