Blue Art - Gunther Vandenven

Written by Eddie Ostrowski

Antwerp is a city of beautiful things and beautiful art. World famous for its diamond trade, home to painters like Rubens and Van Dyck, it's no wonder that amazing photographs are created by Gunther Vandenven, in this historic city. Gunther's images use stylized angles and lighting to create an effect that . In most of his images he doesn't allow us to view the model's face completely, which adds to the mystery of both models and artist. There is a tranquility within his images. This is due to the blue lighting and the time he puts into working with the models. Viewing his images makes one feel as though one is suspended within an aquarium filled with beautiful naked women. Gunther showcases his work on his blog Blue Art (updated often) and Inter Glamour, his official website.

Feel free to drop by and tell him how much you think his work rocks!

Q: Your images have such evoke so much sensuality and sexuality, do you work long hours with your model while shooting to get that kind of effect?

A: Before I start shooting I talk things over with the model about how we are going to build up the shoot. A shoot normally takes between 2 and 3 hours. After that most of the models get tired and than the expression is also gone. All ideas concerning lightning and poses I work out in front so when I start shooting I know exactly what I need to get the results I want. I never start shooting without any preparation.

Q: Your images seem very thought out, was it a process of years or months to get you where you are now or did you have this idea from the beginning?

A: At a certain moment I wanted to create my own style of artnude photography and started to look for something original. I didn't want to make pictures like the ones you always see everywhere on sites or in books, I wanted to make something special. I did shoot a lot of models using all kinds of lights and poses but I wanted to find something no one ever did before, at least not the way I do it. For over 2 years I tried a lot of things and ideas, shoot a lot of models using all kinds of different lightning and that's how I developed my own style of "blue art" pictures I am doing now.

Q: Who are your models?

A: I am looking everywhere, surfing modelling sites on the net, contacting agency's, spreading out the word that I am looking for models, showing my pictures as much as I can so models can contact me and present themselves. To find models who wants to pose nude is no problem but to find good models with a nice body and a good expression is more difficult. Most of the girls I work with I see for the first time, but if they are good I ask her back for a second shooting. All the girls you see on the website or Belgian girls or girls from Holland.

Q: Are you currently showing you work in galleries?

A: At the moment I'm nothing showing my work in galleries but I 'm very intersted to do so. The only problem is that I think it is difficult to find a gallery who wants to show art/erotic nudes in their gallery. It is not so much accepted everywhere. Still I'm hoping that people who are interested will contact me.

Q: What kind of reactions do you get from people when they see your work?

A: I get very positive reactions from people worldwide on my pictures. It gives me a good feeling to know that what I'm doing is accepted by those who love art/erotic nude photography. Everybody finds the blue light very special and that it gives a certain sensuality and sexuality to the pictures. Also I get nice comments on the poses and the models I work with.

Q: What are your future plans for this body of work?

A: The plan is to continue with my work and the style of pictures I'm making. Just want to show to the people as much as possible my work. It would be nice if some pictures could be published in an art or erotic book or magazine.