I was given the byname, LE NU, by my best friend, the French artist, Jean-Jacques Bredat. He thought LE NU was the perfect name for an artist that uses the nude male form as a medium for artistic expression. LE NU comes from the French phrase, “Le Nu dans L’Art” (The Nude in Art).
Why clubLENU and HunkHunters?
During the early nineteen nineties, while photographing fashion portfolios for modeling agencies and nude/erotic layouts for magazines and calendars… I formed, the original clubLENU.
The club was mainly made up of attractive men with potential and enthusiasm but lacked the funds to pay me to shoot their modeling portfolios. We started out by doing what is commonly known as trade/test shoots. No money changes hands… the photographer and model work for each other as an exchange of services. The model received professional fashion photographs for their portfolios. And, in exchange, they would agree to pose for my provocative art images. Full frontal nudity was not required… but, the models had to sign releases.
It soon became apparent that the men were far more interested in posing for the provocative images. They started to suggest nude and semi-nude concepts of their own. And each model had attractive male relatives or friends that wanted to join clubLENU!
At that time, however, I was pursuing a career in another industry and photography was only a passionate diversion. After working with the men for about a year, the effort became overwhelming. I had no time to market the art that was being created to offset the cost (mainly film and processing), which soared too high to justify continuing the project.
Nevertheless, the men had awesome professional fashion portfolios that many used to land agents and assignments. Over the years, they’ve brought many smiles to my face as I’ve opened the morning newspaper or browsed through magazines. Most…were living their dreams!
I am very grateful for the lessons of the original members of clubLENU! My E-xhibition, STOP THE VIOLENCE...GET THE NAKED TRUTH, features the artwork of my original team. These courageous men, with such diverse backgrounds… believed in my vision! We thoroughly enjoyed exploring and developing the ideas that evolved into each image. The premature discontinuation of our efforts is a decision that I have always regretted!
So, after a decades long hiatus, I have decided to resurrect clubLENU!
This effort is my attempt to continue their legacy! These men taught me to appreciate the “joy” that came from sharing my vision with them… their families and their friends.
However, this time around…there is a method to my madness and a new purpose! Instead of an exchange of services, the artist and the subject will work together to create the best in erotic male art… ONLY!
And, members of clubLENU will share in the profits as full partners. We will also raise funds to support charitable organizations that bring awareness to Domestic Violence Abuse issues.
I have found that I, particularly, enjoy working with men that were discovered by everyday people who understand and appreciated my work. In jest… I, affectionately, call my devoted and enthusiastic “talent scouts“… HunkHunters! HunkHunters International is, simply, our team of supporters or talent scouts!
Where did the name “HUNKFEST” come from? I often organized intimate informal gatherings to afford the men (models) an opportunity to show our work and appreciation to the people responsible for discovering them. These private parties were wild celebrations that we all looked forward to. At one such party, surrounded by very attractive men, one of my most prolific HunkHunters, very aptly, dubbed the gathering a “HUNKFEST!”
clubLENU and HunkHunters International are light-hearted, free-spirited works in progress… to showcase my style of photography, raise funds for charity and discover new talent. You are vigorously encouraged to ask questions and make comments/suggestions…
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