Article written by Keith Carman
What is it about the female form that’s so wonderful to draw, let alone look at?
“It’s sexy as fuck,” asserts 43 year-old artist Bruce Colero. Providing a no-holds-barred response to an obvious question, Colero is never one to pull punches.
Or fantasies for that matter. Revered for his inimitable ability to commingle illustration with true images, Colero’s innovative union of three and two-dimensional art has eared him the esteem of spearheading a unique visual art genre. Pulling reality, fantasy, eroticism and graphics together in each work, to see Colero’s sultry images of sexy women in compromising, exciting and enthralling situations is like no other.
So how does he manage to create such matchless work?
“I shoot the (subject), make a 3D model of the girl, all the props, environment… everything,” he reveals. “Then I render it and paint it to make it look real. It’s a LOT more complex than the ‘cut-and-paste’ look so many hack artists are using now but for realism you can’ beat it.”
While technical side of his creativity is interesting, in all honesty, when graced with some of the sexiest scenarios this side of untainted celluloid, one could give a rat’s hind side for how it’s done. Just keep ‘em coming and the randier, the better. Thanks to his ability to tap into that fine line between eroticism, creativity and tastefulness though, one is hard-pressed to call Colero anything other than an incredible artist. Even if his humble essence refuses to acknowledge such a tag.
“As cliché as it sounds, I’ve been involved in art all my life. I originally wanted to be a comic book artist, then that progression into fantasy and erotica. I’ve never considered myself an artist. That’s for others to decide. It’s the same bullshit as how every chick thinks she’s a model or every guy with a camera thinks he’s a fucking photographer.”
With two degrees – basic art and illustration – though, Colero’s inherent talent has the paper trail to back it up, unlike most of those “aspiring” sorts he taunts. Initially embracing freelance via creating pieces for various ad agencies, romance books and fitness magazines, Colero eventually discovered an affinity for manufacturing and distributing health related products, a seemingly-unrelated venture.
Little did he know how crucial this business would be to his compositions. Creating a company specializing in sexual enhancement products, sports performance and weight loss, Colero found himself surrounded by an endless onslaught of beautiful bodies. As an artist, the first-well, maybe second – penchant is to draw those wonderful curves. Combining that bent with more primal urges, Colero dove headfirst into committing more explicit imagery to canvas.
“I’ve always preferred to pain women, pinup, erotica, taboo et cetera. Anything else bores the shit out of me,” he shrugs. “Originally, my return to painting was meant to be a hobby; something to relieve stress. Now it’s taken on a life of its own. I have three pinup books that are being sold worldwide and then there are my upcoming books, posters and calendars.”
Not to mention his regular appearances amongst these pages. Proud to feature his work, Hustler Canada has Colero consistently working on a variety of covers, centerfolds and creatives monthy. Again, with that matchless ability to fuse almost tangible images with fantastic settings, situations and backdrops, how could we not? And with his wellspring appearing virtually untapped, one wonders where Colero is pulling so much inspiration from.
“I would have to say the most influential part of my work is my sex drive. If that ever takes a header, THAT’S when you’ll see me painting fucking landscapes. At that point just shoot me,” he chuckles.
“As for emulating or being influences by somebody else? Nope. I do my own thing (which is why) I don’t think I would define it. I like to portray fantasy and erotica in its most realistic manner. By that, I mean taking something that would be virtually impossible to shoot in reality and making it look like it’s real. I want to have people look at my work and say ‘Holy fuck!’ I want to affect people; move them.”
Mission accomplished.