In November of 1982, I started something that I had never ever thought about. Most of us think about being famous and we chase after that dream until something else comes along. I always thought I would be an actor, but the plan changed when I was asked to return home to attend school at least for two years. I was 17 when I graduated from high school and my mother thought I was too young to be in California alone. It was one of those things that just wasn’t meant to be. I had some connections, but mother usually always wins. LOL.
I came up with a new plan as to what I wanted to do. College just wasn’t for me, but I did learn some stuff that came in handy. The entire time I was in college I just kept thinking I wanted a job where I could sit behind a desk. I really didn’t care what it was as long as there was a desk. There was no size of a desk, just the image of me behind a desk. I was majoring in Architecture which again was not my original plan. When I had applied to Berkley I wanted to major in commercial art. I followed the rules as they say on getting that first job, but it wasn’t working. Finally I just made a call and it lead to my first job and I was sitting behind a desk. I also got a chance to use some of that drafting I had learned.
When I got laid off from my first job I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. That was a blow to my new plan, but I found out I could get unemployment. I would get paid not to have to work. To a 21 year old that was like, so cool. Right before the lay off’s one of my supervisors had taken a picture of me at a company function and asked if I ever thought about modeling. I laughed.
I took a weekend gig working for Paramount Pictures’ insurance company and started to look into other things I liked to do. I had started taking pictures and I had sold a few. I didn’t really know what types of pictures I wanted to take specifically so I was doing some of everything. Buildings, people, anything that appealed to me.
One day I went to a modeling audition with a cousin and I decided to try out. I mean, it never crossed my mind especially since I was not 6 feet tall. The guy in charge of the agency said he could get me work. Now whether or not he was running a scam or not I wasn’t sure, but I was working and I was making good money and I still had a new plan.
I had another cousin who was working for a hair stylist that was putting on a hair show and they needed some people to model hair and clothing. There was no pay involved, but it was a new experience. It suddenly hit me, why not start my own group of models. The woman in charge encouraged me to do it and that’s when Dlonzo Modeling Troupe was created. We started out small and then began to expand. I called everyone that I could think of who I thought would want to be apart of my venture. The majority of us had never thought about modeling, but I saw it as a stepping stone to other things. A chance to meet people, make new friends and connections. It also provided some extra money for camera equipment and other things for my studio. I passed along as many perks and information to my models as I could. Tickets to events, discounts on clothing, etc.
When I started getting work for my models with other people I then became an agent when needed. Since there were other agencies involved in other shows, sometimes the models’ checks would go to them and I’d have to step in to make sure they got paid. I would then charge a standard 10% fee to get them their money. Then I saw a new opportunity and the name was changed to Dlonzo Models. In the beginning we were all around the same height so that it really didn’t seem odd on the runway. As opportunities presented themselves I went with the industry standards, but my original models always had a spot. One of the department stores took my idea and created petite models. The industry called for Female models to be 5’9” and male models at least 5’11”.
The head of Elite models once said, “you can’t teach modeling, you either have it or you don’t.” I always believed that. Some models have a face, some have a body and some have a walk. Finding all three is the challenge.
Things were really working out. I was working almost every weekend as I still had my regular job. I would produce a show for groups trying to raise money and then I worked for others. When I wasn’t working I was focusing on taking pictures. At the time I didn’t think of my photographs as art, but when people would look at my portfolio they would start telling me my work looked like other photographers whom I had never heard of. When I started doing research I saw the resemblance and I started to see myself and my work differently.
Artography by Dlonzo was the name I came up with before I started Dlonzo Modeling Troupe. I wanted to create a persona that would allow me to still have my privacy. (Today they call it branding.) Although I had always dreamed of being famous, I never wanted my life to change.
Andy Warhol once said, “In the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.”
I used to get recognized from a commercial I had done, but I could always play it off. Of course children can sometimes insist that they recognize you. People would always tell me I looked familiar. In the late 80’s and 90’s I would get mistaken for Spike Lee.
I started wearing baseball caps and had circle rimmed glasses like he did. (Although I liked Spike Lee’s movies, I didn’t like people thinking I was him.)
In 1989 when an article was written about me in the times picayune my life changed for a brief moment and then everything seemed to change. (When I look at the article now there was some misinformation, but that’s journalism.) There were more doors opening, but there were other things happening as well. My models were going through personal things that made me rethink what I was doing.
Early on I had decided I would give anyone who wanted to model the chance. Who was I to tell someone they couldn’t do something. After all, I decided to take it on when I wasn’t part of industry standards. There were some that were really talented and if they had been taller could have probably made a career on the runways of New York. I did have a few models move into the film world and commercials.
In the early 90’s there was a young girl that really wanted to be a model. Turns out her mother was a model when she was younger. She was featured in my last show at the Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie, Louisiana. That show was the biggest I had ever done. I was introducing many new faces. I got to model for Benetton and Oaktree. Stores such as Porter Stevens, 5-7-9, and The Limited participated in the show. I was trusted with thousands of dollars worth of clothing as some of the stores were not open on Sundays. I knew I was on my way.
I had found someone that wanted to invest in the career of the young model. Things were starting to happen until she was found dead. Then there seemed to be some sort of snowball effect. Two models died tragically, and another from illness.
My parents had become concerned about me, but I was okay. I just couldn’t believe what was happening. Everything just came to a halt. I just stopped everything.
It was almost a year later when I picked up my camera again to take pictures when I went to Seattle, Washington for the first time to attend the Seattle International Film Festival. I was now focusing my attention on something else. My art was now becoming my therapy and the camera was bringing it all to light.
The photographs tell the story of a moment in time.
In 2001, I decided to embrace the fact that I was an artist. I would just create art through my writing, drawing, photography, poetry and performing.
Today I consider myself an Xtreme artist that takes pictures among other things. (see above.) It’s now Artography by Dlonzo and it is coming along in Austin, one picture at a time. I like to take things slow. I like to get to know the people I would like to photograph. I want the picture to speak to the viewer. And the client will remember that moment as if it were just taken.
I understand being an artist is not a bad thing. We have to embrace our creativity. Without creativity and curiosity the world would be a boring place.
No one would ask questions and no one would give there interpretation through visuals. I just focus on doing the best I can and enjoying what I do.
Artography by Dlonzo “It’s not just a Photograph, it’s Art!”
I've had the opportunity to photograph some great people. Some went on to greater things. It was such a pleasure and I cherish the art that they helped me create.
Thanks to everyone who ever stepped in front of my camera.
Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.
Check out some of my art at Bluecanvas.com/Oznol. Some of these are for sale. Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.
http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=58144381
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54325957
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54365247
While you’re here, why not become a follower (fan).
Taking it one day at a time and keep the faith.
Check back and see where this journey leads. Check out the links below to my other blogs and videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmgUzGZGt98
The above link is a video for an organic flutist in New Orleans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hciIcHFm3Yw&NR=1
The above is a link of a performance from Oz in New Orleans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qcybZsUzc
The above link is for a promo of a DJ in New Orleans.
http://www.myspace.com/darqueleight/music/songs/d-bohemian-31098704
Computer generated music.
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