News from Billy Monday
Harley Miller, 2009Harley Miller
I just completed a shoot with Harley Miller, of Philadelphia. How refreshing to pick up the camera after my long hiatus! Although I had a tough time finding things and figuring out where various plugs were plugged, the shoot went well and I am pleased with the results.
Harley is new to art modeling, but she brings and actor’s sensibilities to the task. Combined with her flexibility (both mental and physical) she has great potential as an art model. I’m looking forward to working with her again, and also to seeing her portfolio develop.
So I’m finally back to my art projects. It’s a very cold winter here in Maryland, and it’s driven me into the studio for the foreseeable future. I’m going to concentrate on a particular look and lighting style for the coming months, all in heated comfort.
Worship the Light, 2008Health Update
It’s been quite while since I posted an entry here. As most local friends know, I’ve had a rough few months.
After cutting my foot in August, I got a nasty infection which went into sepsis. I ended up in the hospital, and one night in the ICU the nurses came in and said “take these pills, you just had a heart attack.” Well that was surreal! Ultimately I suffered from the bad infection, a collapsed lung, and the heart problems. I spent two months in the a hospital bed, ended up at Johns Hopkins for open heart surgery, and am only now recovering from all of this drama.
As open-heart patients go, I’m young and strong. My recovery is going well and the surgeons think that I will be stronger than ever in a few months. I am just beginning to plan my late winter and spring shoots, and my mind is brimming with ideas for the lens. It’s going to be a slow year but I expect to produce higher-quality nudes then ever before. The image for this entry features Mystic Velvet, interacting with some gorgeous light beams.
I’d like to thank my friends in the local art community, who have been so supportive during the past months. It was hard on my family, and your kinds words and visits helped immensely. There was a large collection taken up at Dan Scenna’s gathering, which really helped with the financial strain of the event. I regret that I can’t thank each person individually. We’ve got a great little community of artists and models here in this area, really second only to northern California. I truly feel blessed to be living and working here.
Please, keep in touch and let me know how you’re doing too. I hear mentions of all sorts of great projects in the works, let’s make it a super 2009!
Billy