Shooting at Woody Creek Tavern on St Paddy’s day was always going to be eventful and the longer the day went on, the greater the chaos. However, I did have a very clear idea in my mind who would be the leads in my bar picture. I wanted it to be as character rich as possible.
For a start, we had to have a Hunter S Thompson lookalike. There would be no story without him as it was his regular presence at the tavern that made the joint notorious. I placed him directly in front of poster memorabilia celebrating his life.
The other side of the wolf, he is joined by Alessandra Ambrosio - the Brazilian beauty and one of the most famous and celebrated models of our times. And next to her is the instantly recognisable Wes Studi - an Academy award winner and a man the New York Times said had one of the strongest faces in show business. The Dances with Wolves star was a joy to have on set and his presence was my nod to the fact that Aspen’s tribe has no boundaries. It is a resort that welcomes talent and does not discriminate.
The glam crowd on the left of Hunter represent the other side of Aspen patrons; the beautiful and the celebrated. We have Sports Illustrated swim wear models - Kate Bock and Brooks Nader - and then Aleska Genesis and her boyfriend - Puerto Rican music star Nicky Jam.
What is the point of all this?
Even from its early Bohemian roots, Aspen, more than any other ski resort in the world, has attracted interesting folk. It matters not what they did career wise, but the energy and swagger they brought up the hill. I look at this ensemble and I see it as a highly probable lock in one night at Woody Creek Tavern - before Hunter gets his gun out.
37" x 71" Unframed
52" x 86" Framed
Edition of 12
53" x 102" Unframed
68" x 117" Framed
Edition of 12