Donald Florence

I first met Don Florence in 1976, when he was the Art Director at Bonwit Teller, the Venerable Department Store on 57^th Street (sadly out of business, knocked down and buried under Trump Tower).

We did a number of great shootings together, including one catalog using five top models.  For a lark we had them arrive one evening on the guise of doing a re-shoot and brought them all on set just as they were off the street–their clothes, makeup or no makeup, and no changes allowed. When he saw the final picture, Don had the courage to insist that it be the cover of the catalog! Doubtful that a store would do that today.

5 Top Models for Bonwit Teller

On another shoot with one of our favorite models, Karen Bjornson, I did a portrait of Don in Biker mode and Karen as Dusty Springfield.

Beauty and the Beast

As co-incidence would have it, Don now lives just a couple of hours from me in North Carolina and upon discovering the unusual paintings of celebrities that he has been doing for the past few years we decided to show them at my gallery starting December 6^th.

Three paintings by Don Florence

Don Florence at my Studio in Cary 2014

For More about the show click here

Richard des Jardins

I first met Richard Des Jardins in the late 70s.   I was shooting a lot of Bridal Advertising with Modern Bride.  Richard came from Quebec and spoke very little English (he still has a charming French accent today) He had studied art at Quebec University and Ecole Des Beaux Arts in Quebec. He was an Interior Designer and Horticulturist and we worked regularly together on Bridal Assignments for top Manufacturers

St. Pucci 2011

When in 1985 Richard began teaching Interior Design at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York he started taking the summers off to paint and has continued ever since.

I photographed his first complete collection in 1989 and am now showing his latest work at my new art gallery

Toute 1986

Sunshine 2013

Vanishing States

A long time ago, maybe 30 years, I came to North Carolina for the first time to visit a friend in Southern Pines.  The drive from Raleigh to Southern Pines was Route 1 a two lane road bound on both sides by farm land.  Most were tobacco farms with ancient homesteads and open slatted barns for drying the leaves.  

Since then many of the farms have been developed and the buildings  abandoned.  There is a sad charm in the dereliction and I am anxious to record some of them before they vanish altogether

Magic Johnson

Peter Rogers Associates, a small boutique Advertising Agency I worked with for many years created a campaign for GMHC to bring attention to the AIDS crisis.   Many great personalities came for  groups portraits.  Oscars winners, Emmie winners, CEOs, Dancers, Authors, Architects, Writers, Sports Stars.  Magic came and posed with Keith Hernandez Mets Baseball Star and Katarina Witt the German Gold Medal Skater.  That infectious smile never seems to leave his face and I took this portrait of him after the GMHC shoot was finished.

Arnold's Cosmo Centerfold

Helen Gurley Brown, the Editor in Chief, of Cosmopolitan Magazine had said "If Playboy can exploit women with a centerfold why don't we" The first centerfold was Burt Reynolds.  After a number of issues and with the point made she decided to end the series with a body to end all bodies.  A heretofore unknown Arnold Schwartzenegger having just made the film 'Pumping Iron'  become an overnight sensation and was the perfect pick.   Charming and unassuming  he came to my studio without entourage and posed like a mischievous greek god leaving the lady editors and art director breathless.  Little did we know this young mans future. That was 1969. For more of my portraits click here