tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140597572024-03-13T04:19:56.659-07:00Red Hot Marble!Photographic Artist Charr Crail shares personal insights about her artistic passions.Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-52652300986108497562010-03-27T12:43:00.000-07:002010-03-27T12:53:09.284-07:00Hoppy Easter!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SQzvpL5ap0k/S65iGwZTeeI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/cNjd552XV8s/s1600/hoppyeaster.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SQzvpL5ap0k/S65iGwZTeeI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/cNjd552XV8s/s400/hoppyeaster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453404067002022370" /></a><br />I look for and see inspiration everywhere! Yesterday I went to the Annual Quilt Show to see what new products were there and gawk at the wonderful fabrics. Along the way I found some truly wonderful CD's of clip art that have the most charming illustrations from decades ago. One in particular, an image of Humpty Dumpty, inspired this holiday piece. I've been sketching bunnies for days in fact trying to come up with just the right thing and then it popped. Here's my take on Humpty-- newly created, easter style-- using my drawing and photos of gorgeous roses from a wedding I shot several months back. I love the retro feel it still has and the yummy colors.Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-51181971511588824462010-03-23T01:05:00.000-07:002010-03-23T01:35:20.131-07:00Lookie Lookie!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SQzvpL5ap0k/S6h8lKlrDrI/AAAAAAAAAGI/OI_xB19ynj8/s1600-h/TheTreesHaveEyes_Crail.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SQzvpL5ap0k/S6h8lKlrDrI/AAAAAAAAAGI/OI_xB19ynj8/s400/TheTreesHaveEyes_Crail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451744326871355058" /></a><br />I'm baaaaack! Have been working feverishly on some wonderful new artowrk. Launched a new website <a href"http://www.charrcrail.me">www.charrcrail.me</a>, still evolving that too. I have so many great add-on ideas for it that I'm working on too so stay tuned. This blog is where I want to talk about art. Inspiration and expression.<br />For example... Today I was shooting a rally at the Capitol, thousands of people wandering around, some yelling in agreement with the speaker, some just there to quietly support, and some who like a good party and want to show up in costume. There was lot's of that. What I appreciated about it was that childlike thing we all have-- the desire to dress up, to play, to live out a fantasy. Some of us lose it along the way as we grow up and some of us hang on to that childlike spirit and snag any opportunity to make a statement-- in capes and masks or face make-up and silly props. <br />I felt inspired. Inspired enough that even as I wound my way back to my car I kept shooting walls and buildings, bricks and rooftops-- TEXTURE. I love textures and use them in my art work. Am actively now creating a yummy collection of stock images, textures that will eventually find a home amongst some of my artworks. <br />In the meantime visit my new website, <a href"http://www.charrcrail.me">www.charrcrail.me</a>, drop me a line and share yourself. You'll be hearing more from me too... Muah!Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1140407139439771382006-02-19T19:36:00.000-08:002006-02-19T19:47:08.923-08:00Red Patent Leather Nipples<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/101949350/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/29/101949350_0a7b3628fb.jpg" width="327" height="500" alt="blue4562" /></a><br />What a wonderful photo shoot we had today! How can you go wrong with red patent leather painted nipples to match the shiniest red lips! It was so much fun and our model was gorgeous, expressive, full of life and ready to have fun! This blue wig has been patiently waiting around for just the right situation to come out and play in and against this colorful lighting set-up it was a perfect contrast.Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1140148299449522012006-02-16T19:46:00.000-08:002006-02-16T19:53:04.216-08:00A bit of this, a bit of that...<embed src="http://widget.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" flashvars="site=widget.slide.com&channel=195399" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#f5f5f5" width="600" height="97" name="flashticker" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"/><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/100647973/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/35/100647973_b7be1d7269_o.jpg" width="360" height="540" alt="joanna" /></a><br />Adventures in latex, big hair, hand-painted backgrounds and over the top lighting! As we were doing the light sabre set it felt so 1000 BC Meets 3001, A Space Odyssey. Trippy and fun. The darling Joanna had a blast as we took her through several different sets to create the bold and beautiful woman in these photos-- part bikini babe, part super hero, with a little bit of stone age warrior woman thrown in.Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1139689911491090182006-02-11T12:29:00.000-08:002006-02-11T12:32:02.710-08:00There's a fantabulous sex kitten in all of us and tonight was Shawntays turn to be pampered by the skilled and artistic hands of Paula and Charr. Happy Valentines Day to Shawntay's man, the reason for the photo shoot!<br /><embed src="http://widget.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" flashvars="site=widget.slide.com&channel=182312" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#f5f5f5" width="600" height="97" name="flashticker" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"/><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/94617655/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/23/94617655_cefb937a3e.jpg" width="328" height="500" alt="shawntay" /></a>Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1131838813039759042005-11-12T15:39:00.000-08:002005-11-12T15:40:13.053-08:00Angels in the Mist...<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/61777302/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/29/61777302_1dd252249d_o.jpg" width="360" height="308" alt="tb" /></a><br />Congratulations to Tabatha and her beautiful new baby Bella. Today was Bella's first official studio photo shoot!Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1121983766774525902005-07-21T15:09:00.000-07:002005-07-21T15:26:27.906-07:00Sasha Monet Calendar in progress!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/27650127/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos21.flickr.com/27650127_9e8dd653b1.jpg" width="321" height="500" alt="Sasha Monet Calendar" /></a>Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1120341114865895292005-07-02T14:51:00.000-07:002005-07-02T14:51:54.866-07:00It makes a difference<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/23109632/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://photos18.flickr.com/23109632_772e0c6cc8_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/23109632/">headshots</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/48889067113@N01/">Charrmer</a>. </span></div>It's interesting trying to choose images that best represent your work. As the creator we may choose things that are very different than the work we do on a day to day basis to earn a living because we want to show our range, or surprise people, even impress them with our startling individuality. Of course what we do everyday is often fun and creative so we routinely have something different to share... but it's also not the entire story. A lot of what we do is not sexy or theatrical but it's very important to the person who is beiong photographed to look their best. Our job is to capture people as their most natural attractive selves. Make up, posing, lighting, drawing forth a natural personality so the person is represented at their best, their prettiest, most handsome, their personality shining through... That is everything.<br clear="all" />Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1120075156690873282005-06-29T12:59:00.000-07:002005-06-30T09:54:29.276-07:00May Flowers<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/22434129/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://photos16.flickr.com/22434129_97df8028c8_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/22434129/">may</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/48889067113@N01/">Charrmer</a>. </span></div><br />Fetish Model extraordinaire Sasha Monet is our 2006 Calendar girl, which we are doing Pin-Up style. During the photo session Paula takes first crack at Sasha beginning the pin-up look with make up. Shot by shot she styles the hair anew each time always surprising us with an entirely different look. Icing on the cake!<br clear="all" />Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1120075139561161212005-06-29T12:58:00.001-07:002005-06-30T10:50:51.673-07:00April Showers<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/22434127/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://photos15.flickr.com/22434127_76fecc9750_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/22434127/">april</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/48889067113@N01/">Charrmer</a>. </span></div><br />This was the first of two all day shoots to create the calendar images. For the most part we have tried to match the month to the outfit and propping but always keeping it simple.<br />Most of the wardrobe in this calendar comes straight out of Sasha's closet, which is really something else to see. Charr did the photography and propping (and catering), Paula did all the hair and make up and Kevin Graft is the technical guy and all around fantastic creative support! (and never forget to be ready with trays of hot freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!)<br clear="all" />Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1120075111269646642005-06-29T12:58:00.000-07:002005-06-30T09:50:19.996-07:00Miss January<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/22434128/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://photos17.flickr.com/22434128_ad75886795_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/22434128/">january</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/48889067113@N01/">Charrmer</a>. </span></div>For January we wanted a fun and sexy party elegance feel by adding the opera gloves and kitty mask. But come to think of it who shows up to a New Years party sans panties? Only Sasha Monet!<br clear="all" />Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1120074638164439412005-06-29T12:50:00.001-07:002005-06-30T09:57:28.243-07:00Beauty and the Beasts<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/22432140/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://photos16.flickr.com/22432140_80fbf8eac1_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/22432140/">Stephanie</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/48889067113@N01/">Charrmer</a>. </span></div> The assignment, photos to surprise boyfriend on his birthday shot nude with pets-- two bearded dragons! It was an amazing day and we got tons of wonderful photos of our model. Yes, the boyfriend was thrilled.<br clear="all" />Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1120074603897431152005-06-29T12:50:00.000-07:002005-06-30T09:59:40.896-07:00Stephanie, Rock Star!<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/22432141/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://photos15.flickr.com/22432141_a0c5e43a0d_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/22432141/">Stephanie, Rock Star!</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/48889067113@N01/">Charrmer</a>. </span></div>Smoke in a can kicks bootie! We wanted to do a second set with the client and when swe found out she brought her guitar it seemed that creating a rock star persona was a natural.<br clear="all" />Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1120074439922855322005-06-29T12:47:00.000-07:002005-06-30T10:04:40.710-07:00The Peacock<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/6624296/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://photos8.flickr.com/6624296_9665e4d862_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/6624296/">tabpeacock</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/48889067113@N01/">Charrmer</a>. </span></div>This is Paulas brainchild-- to create a peacock costume, now beautifully modeled by Tabatha. It took her hours to put it together too. The sewn pieces for hair and body, the beaded necklaces, the body tights that are painted with extraordinarily fine detail-- it's an amazing coming together of many elements. The face/eye make-up is gorgeous on this one too. Made it easy for me to get wonderful pictures and tremendous variety too.<br clear="all" />Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1120074401447480252005-06-29T12:46:00.000-07:002005-06-30T10:24:15.526-07:00Tabatha<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/5154570/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://photos4.flickr.com/5154570_fd680aae9f_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/5154570/">tab1442</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/48889067113@N01/">Charrmer</a>. </span></div> This is the first of our many collaborations together shooting model Tabatha, in this case as a stone woman. It didn't quite start out like this in conversation or on paper but sometimes the path veers in an unexpected but wonderful direction. This one did and it was great.<br clear="all" />Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1120072503799808892005-06-29T12:15:00.000-07:002005-06-30T10:16:06.316-07:00Body Painting<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/5154577/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://photos5.flickr.com/5154577_73f3109561_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/5154577/">bodypaint</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/48889067113@N01/">Charrmer</a>. </span></div>The body painting on this one took hours and loads of patience on Tabathas part. She has to be sprayed and painted head to toe. The only things left undone were the bottoms of her feet and the palms of her hands. Oh, and a carefully placed patch for more sensitive areas. <br clear="all" />Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1120072056958196372005-06-29T12:07:00.000-07:002005-06-30T10:53:25.156-07:00Pop MIx<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/5158338/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://photos4.flickr.com/5158338_08bac7489b_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48889067113@N01/5158338/">popmix</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/48889067113@N01/">Charrmer</a>. </span></div> This shoot is the first of our many collaborations together. Tabatha got painted head to toe with who knows what in a can, from a tube, from a jar, bowl, stick, pencil-- you name it. Much of it stayed in my house and on my floor for weeks afterwards but it was all worth it! The photos run the gamut of fun to dramatic, even adding a mylar set for some distortion effects. This is a overview of the third set we did using retro style hanging door dividers as propping and a tie dye backdrop. Since the model was almost entirely black, white and grey I chose to mix it up by adding some color.<br clear="all" />Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14059757.post-1120069875565971262005-06-29T11:29:00.000-07:002005-06-30T10:41:54.180-07:00Paula and Charr, Creative masterminds!This blog is something we've put together because we wanted a place to showcase our collaborations! Please refer back to it anytime. When we do new stuff we'll be posting results here!Charr Crailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03602168564617307637noreply@blogger.com0