Model Spotlight - Judy Luck

Today's Model Spotlight proudly highlights Wings of Angels Model Judy Luck, a born and bred native of Southern California who is as multi-talented in pin up modeling as she is in burlesque, and hula a go-going in her group The Hula Girls. Born on November 23rd, this 26-year-old is as beautiful as she is wise in our behind the scenes interview where she tells us her favorite color is green and she's even studying Anthropology!

1. What would you say to people who don't know where to start or how to get going to make their dreams a reality? 

I would have to say to focus on what you want, what your dream really is. I would have them search out someone like a role model or mentor who is doing just what you want and have them give you some advice. Be sure to ask about there experiences and listen to their stories.

2. What is one of the most valuable lessons you have learned from failure?

I have found that no matter what mistakes we make in life, there is always something for you to learn from it. You need to stay positive and not dwell on the negative things. I myself have learned just recently about being more independent and I'm learning more about myself along the way. Who I really am.

3. No matter who you are, critics are plenty and criticism hurts. What have you learned about managing the impact of criticism whole moving forward on purpose?

Personally, it can be very, very difficult. People will often talk about your appearance, things they might not like but I have found you have to be a lot like the celebrities and just not look at it. You know who you are inside and you can only be the best version of YOU.

Professionally, people will always want more of you but you still need to remember to be the best version of who you are and work hard at it.

4. If you could live in any period of history, which would it be and why?

I am a fan of the 1930's. Even though it was in the midst of war time, and even hearing about those struggles from my great grandparents,they always stuck together. It's not like that anymore. Families are busy, people are always on the go, we loose sight of what is important.I also love that old Hollywood look. The beautiful pictures that showed a much more glamorous side of life even though it may not have been 100% of what was going on at the time. It was still beautiful to look at, an escape, a dream.

5. Who has been your greatest role model and why?

My grandma on my dad's side even though I look up to all my grandma's. She has been through two divorces, and had to raise two children all on her own. Even though times were hard and she might have had to eat popcorn for dinner just so her kids could eat, she is amazing. She is fun and truly enjoys life to the fullest. She went zip-lining for her latest birthday and we are even taking a circus class together now!

6. What was it like working with Michael on the Wings of Angels Project?

I had three shoots with Michael and I think he is using two of them right now. It was an amazing experience. It was everything people imagine and then not everything they imagine a pin up shoot to be at the same time. You had people doing your hair and make-up, giving you amazing clothes to wear and he just has an amazing team working with him overall. We got some great photos, that I even wonder how that's me! It was fun and goofy, playing around with different poses. I've had times where working with some photographers made you feel uncomfortable but not with Michael. I am obsessed with museums and when I had time I kept asking, "Can I go look at the planes now?" I really wanted to see them and talk to the people in the museum.

 

7. How has working on the Wings of Angels project changed you?

It has opened a lot of new doors for me. I used to be seen as "cutesie" and I mentioned this to Mike. He took more glamorous pictures of me and allowed people to see a different side of me. The best part has been something I did for my great grandfather who passed away recently. He served and flew in the war in the Air Force.With the help of my family we did some searching and found out which planes he flew, as well as more history,that will be in the book as a dedication to him and the service he provided for his country.

8. What has been your greatest success in life?

Being 26, this is difficult because I'm working towards what may be my greatest successes, but I would have to say being in my band, The Hula Girls. I never thought I would say I would be in a band, but after 4 years with them they are one of the happiest things in my life. I discovered a community and culture that I never knew existed within the tiki community. I am also able to use my dance background to create shows for all age groups and I have made a great new group of friends along the way. 

9. What is your favorite photo that Mike has taken of you?

It would probably be the one I post all the time of me. It's a shot of me, sideways full body, in lingerie next to the plane. It is such a glamorous picture and even though I'm not wearing a lot, I see that picture and think, "That's me!" It's like nothing I've ever had.

10. If you could provide any advice for anyone looking to become a model, what would you say?

A lot of things. Get yourself a separate wardrobe of things you will never wear in the real world, but would definitely wear at a photo shoot. If you are going for pinups, do a lot of research. Research poses, life styles, hair and make up for the look you want. There has been a resurgence of new pin up looks but it is not like the classic pin ups at all. Seek out people you want to work with, make up, photographers, etc to find those people who take the pictures you are interested in. Find your look and what you want.

Thank you Judy Luck for taking the time today to answer these questions and giving us a little more insight into your life and into what makes you truly one of the Wings of Angels Models.

Don't forget to take advantage and pre-order your copy of Wings of Angels: A Tribute to the Art of World War II Pinups and Aviation Volumes 1 and 2 that is due out on May 28, 2014. 

You can keep in touch with Judy Luck by visiting her Facebook page The Hula Girls.

We leave you now with a look into the Behind the Scenes photo shoot with Judy Luck on the Wings of Angels project.

Photo Credits: Michael Malak, Malak Photography.com, Yanks Air Museum, Betty Paige Clothing, Secrets in Lace Lingerie, Ellie Shoes, LTW Custom Cosmetics, Hair and Makeup Martin Christopher, Christina Marie, Allen Freeman (Video), Robert Austin Photography (Behind the Scenes Photos)

Model Spotlight - Lexi Weege

Today's model spotlight proudly shines on Wings of Angels Model, Lexi Weege, who was one of our Rosie the Riveter models. Lexi was born on September 3rd in Western Massachusetts and has lived there her entire life and her favorite color is red! Now on to the questions some of our readers have posted for her to answer:

1. How much did you know about Rosie the Riveter before you did the Wings of Angels Shoot?

Actually it's pretty interesting! I was actually Rosie in a middle school play, so I had some background on her before I got my photo shoot with Mike!

2. What made you decide to sing blues and jazz instead of the other genres of music?

Oh that was pretty easy, I would have to say they are the truest form of music for me. If I had to start anywhere I wanted to start at the beginning with jazz and blues!

3. What is your favorite photo that Michael has taken of you?

I love them all. I don't really have a favorite. Mike is just brilliant!

4. Who is your role model and why?

My mom. She is very strong and independent woman!

5. What has been your biggest success in your life?

When I release my album on vinyl. It was having my greatest dream realized. It was 2 years in the making and something I have always wanted to do ever since I was a kid. 

6. What has been your great challenge in your life so far?

Funding my own album. I don't thing most people realize how expensive it is for a vinyl album. I've had to work two jobs just to see this come true for me.

7. What was it like working with Michael on the Wings of Angels Project?

Michael is very easy going. He was one of the first bigger jobs that I got to do. He gave very good direction and not only that he assigned me a good character that was key in representing women in history. There is a lot of power behind Rosie!

8. Who is your greatest musical inspiration?

I have a lot actually. Billie Holiday, of course; Bob Dylan for his song writing ability. He's an amazing writer and people everywhere have heard his music. He is still writing music. Bessie Smith, Lead Belly and Robert Johnson.

9. What is one misconception people have about you?

WOW! That is a really good question. I'd have to say I'm a throw it on the table kind of girl. Very honest!

10. If you could live in any period of history, which one would you pick and why?

Another great questions. I'd have to say 1930's for the beginning of the jazz period along with the 60's in New York experiencing the village and the art that was occurring at the time. 

I want to thank Lexi for taking the time to answer your questions today as we leave you with a little bit of Lexi you may not know in her first music video Cinnamon Sugar.

You can also find Lexi Weege on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest projects.

To purchase Lexi's debut CD Virgin, you can click here. 

Photo Credits: Michael Malak, Malak Photography.com, My Baby Jo, Secrets in Lace Lingerie, LTW Custom Cosmetics, Christina Marie (Hair and Make Up), Yanks Air Museum Chino and Ellie Shoes

Model Spotlight - Sarah Barton

Today's Wings of Angels Model Spotlight shines itself on Sarah Barton! Sarah was born on July 12th and grew up in North Dakota by has lived in Wyoming since she was 16. She is a gorgeous mom to a wonderful 13-year-old daughter and is a licensed esthetician! In case you didn't know what that is she's a skin care specialist who is definitely great and talented at what she does because she looks amazing! So now it's time to learn more about Sarah Barton who was wonderful enough to take the time to answer some of your questions!

Terry Myers wanted to know 1. What has been you greatest modeling accomplishment and (2) what is your greatest roadblock? 

My greatest modeling accomplishment is #1 the Wings of Angels Project. I have been wanting to be a part of the Pin Up photos for quite some time and really wanted someone who I worked well with and who provided the types of photos I would be proud of. I loved going to places like Italy to do some magazine shoots which were definitely a whole lot different than you would expect. They wanted you screaming or yelling in your photos, so for me that was definitely a whole lot different that what you see here.

My greatest roadblock has been myself. It has been a challenging time for me in learning to face my own fears. There have been so many opportunities presented to me that I couldn't face because of my own fears getting in the way. That is why I got into modeling was to learn to grow as a person and to face those fears. I have always struggled with self esteem but have been on a journey of seeking out who I really am and in learning how to push myself to do the things I've wanted. I faced down my fear of flying in order to visit the locations I've wanted to do photo shoots in.

Quack 42 asked Sarah "(1) How do you find about shooting assignments, and then (2) how do you decide those which are attractive to you?

I got most of my assignments through Model Mayhem. I also Google the locations I want to visit as well as photographers who are taking the types of photos I admire. I actually do quite a bit of extensive research and background into the photographer I'm considering. I look for ones whose work is clean and images I would be proud to show my family and friends. As a model you are always worried of those photographers who take advantage of models and I didn't want to fall into one of those situations. I;m pretty religious and didn't want to put myself in a compromising situation and again wanted photos that my family would be proud of. I've always wanted photos that looked like paintings.

What's it like to work with Michael Malak?

Michael is a lot of fun!!! He has such an amazing sense of humor. He is funny and had me laughing all of time. That made working with him so much fun! We actually became good friends both before and after my photo shoot and will continue to do so. He so amazing to work with!

Who is your role model, and why?

Jesus Christ! It's simple actually because during my own search of discovering who I am, I have realized that He is the only source of peace and comfort. I have found that when I put my focus on Jesus and give him 100%, it definitely makes me stronger. It shows me what I am capable of and its more than I could ever have imagined!

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Oh wow, that's a tough question. I had never thought of something like that before. I guess in order to have someone play me, they'd really have to know who I am first. I'll have to think about that one a bit. Can I get back to you on that one?

If you could visit any period in time, what would it be and why?

That would be easy for me, it would be when Jesus was alive. I would have loved to have met Him, to experience was life was like to just be around Him. To watch Him, listening to Him talk and just get to know Him by physically being here. It would have been incredible to have been part of that story.

What is your favorite photo that Michael has taken?

Oh that one was easy it's the one sitting on the bomb, "Bombs Away" I think that one was funny but I love it. I also love my Sinister Shadows photo, I'm not sure what it's called but I'm holding a gun. Mike knows what it's called. I love that one!

What has been the biggest benefit of being part of the Wings of Angels project, personally and professionally?  

 Professionally I have slowed down a bit. I am not doing that much in the way of modeling at least right now. I have learned so much about me during my life and what I've gone through right now and can look back and see so much growth for me personally. I have learned to love myself and it's not so much about being pretty enough but it's about learning to find something much deeper than your 5 minutes of fame in this life. So I believe you need something more to get you through life and I believe I've found that now. I am still growing and learning! I am thankful I got to meet Mike. It's been a couple of years of knowing him and we are still great friends!

I want to personally thank Sarah Barton for taking the time to answer your questions in today's Model Spotlight. As you can see, she is truly a beautiful person both inside and out.We leave you now with the Behind the Scenes Photo Shoot of Sarah's!

Photo Credits: Michael Malak, Malak Photography.com, Robert Austin Photography (Behind the Scenes), Hair and Make Up by Christina Marie, Yanks Air Museum, Ellie Shoes, LTW Custom Cosmetics, Secrets in Lace Lingerie, Bettie Page Clothing and Allen Freeman (video)

Coming Soon ~ Ashten Goodenough!

That's right, this Saturday we will be spotlighting Wings of Angels Model Ashten Goodenough! So if have ever had a question you wanted to ask Ashten, this is IT! Feel free to post any questions you have for her in the comment box below and we will have the answers on Saturday, December 21st in the Model Spotlight. Feel free to ask as many as you would like and we'll select a handful for her to answer. Don't delay, ask today!!