Tattoos and Tentacles is a new coffee table book featuring a collection of photographs of inked people, wearing very little except their body art, and draped in cephalopods that squirt ink (that's a fancy way of saying octopus and squid).
The slimy but sexy photos were taken by Minneapolis based Julian Murray with the art direction, digital retouching and layout by Lacey Haire.
Below is a selection of 20 images from the book, some of which have been cropped for this post.
Shopping for props: Shooting the book:
The 9"x12" 144 page book in hardcover format has full color photographs throughout.
In addition to the book, 11 of the photos are available as posters:
About Julian Murray Photography and Design: Minneapolis based Photography and Graphic Design team specializing in the music, fashion and advertising industries. From creative concept photography, marketing campaigns and family portraits to website design, company branding, and print collateral + everything in between.
above: Lucian Freud self-portrait (one of many), Reflection, 2005
British realist, figurative and portrait painter Lucian Freud, who was one of the greatest artists of our time, passed away at the age of 88 on July 20th.
above: photo of Lucian Freud by David Montgomery above: a young Lucian Freud in his studio (photographer unknown)
The grandson of the 'Father of Pyschoanalysis,' Sigmund Freud, Lucian was well-known and critically acclaimed for his prolific work. Many of his paintings have broken art auction records and he was greatly respected by both fellow artists, instructors, critics and the art-savvy public.
above: Lucian Freud's Reflection (a self-portrait) with two children above photo of Lucian Freud working at night by David Dawson, 2oo5
There have been many wonderful articles, documentaries, blog posts and more written on artist Lucian Freud (occasionally spelled Lucien). For that reason, I won't go into depth about his career but will share some links to interesting articles and several images of some of his paintings (please note that his drawings and etchings are equally superb and compelling). There are additional links at the end of this article so you can peruse his vast and impressive repertoire.
Portrait of Harry Diamond: Portrait of David Hockney: photo of Hockney and Lucian Freud in Freud's atelier: Portrait of Francis Bacon: Father and Daughter: Interior (after Watteau): Interior in Paddington: Portrait of the Queen: Bella and Esther:
He captured himself, friends, family, fellow artists and a few famous folks (Jerry Hall, Kate Moss and more) in portraits he referred to as "naked' rather than nude. Often immortalized as sleeping or reclining, his thick brush strokes and energetic style were unmistakable. In his own words he "turned paint into flesh" and in the following selection of portraits, that is clearly visible.
Benefits Supervisor Sleeping: Naked portrait with reflection: two different portraits of Leigh Bowery: photo of Leigh Bowery's sitting for Freud: An homage to Cezanne: Eight Months Gone, a portrait of a pregnant Jerry Hall: his portrait of model Kate Moss: Lucian Freud with muse (one of several) Kate Moss: The Painter Surprised by a Naked Admirer:
Lucian Freud was also a dog lover - he owned two beloved whippets named Pluto and Eli- and many of his portraits coupled himself and friends with dogs, like those shown below:
above image of Lucian Freud, 2005, by photographer David Dawson
Girl with White Dog: Guy and Speck: Guy with Speck: Eli and David: David and Eli: Portrait with whippet: Double Portrait: Double Portrait: Triple Portrait: Eli:
Since his recent passing, many articles have appeared, here are just a few:
