Lennette Newell’s Chameleon Bodyscape

Inspired by her travels to Africa, photographer and Graphis Master Lennette Newell‘s self-initiated project, “Chameleon Bodyscape,” earned Gold in the Photography 2024 competition. This image melds the intricate textures and vibrant colors of chameleons with the human form, revealing a unique harmony between reptiles and humans. Lennette’s profound connection to the animal kingdom shines through, showcasing her ability to capture their essence in her art.

By: Lennette Newell, Photographer, Lennette Newell Photography

Lennette’s imagery results from her animal instincts and an uncomplicated, serene connection to the animal kingdom. As time passes, so does her adoration and commitment to all species. Lennette’s inspiration for this shot came from one of her trips to Africa, where she saw chameleons in the wild; she only noticed the chameleon by chance from a slight noise.

The chameleon bodyscape explores the juxtaposition of color, form, and textures between reptiles and homo sapiens. The chameleon freely explores the warm body of the nude female, stopping as if to wait for Lennette to click the shutter while hesitating on the female’s derriere. This chameleon’s exploration invites the female to feel the sensations of movement and mood, much like the chameleon displaying the bright colors of its scales without any verbal connection. The image suggests a further examination of our commonalities and our connection to other species, using our senses and instincts to celebrate our awareness of each other.

The chameleon climbed onto the female’s body herself; the owner carefully placed the chameleon at the foot of the model, which gave the chameleon an easy climb and enabled the chameleon to navigate itself, realizing the sides of the body and the slopes for safety. The 6-8 inches would not have hurt the chameleon if she were to slide off the body as we had the female on a soft surface, but this ability to navigate freely is essential to capturing the genuine shot.

Lennette is pleased to receive the prestigious Graphis award. She is fortunate to have been awarded multiple Graphis awards through the years, including the title of Graphis Master, which has given her exposure to an impactful audience. She is grateful for the dedication year after year from Graphis.

Lennette encourages all fellow creatives to stay true to their interests; only one’s true self illuminates one’s vision and motivation.

Lennette Newell was born on the high plains in Kimball, Nebraska. Daughter to a large animal veterinarian, her fascination with animal behavior sparked at a young age amidst a ranch equipped with a small and large animal hospital. Her curiosity in animals was augmented by her captivation with the entire natural world, from plants growing in her yearly garden to the dramatic cloud formations penetrated by diverse sunlight patterns.

Mesmerized by her environment, Lennette chose to use the art of photography to capture these enthralling aspects of life. Beginning as a commercial photographer, she specialized in advertisements containing humans and animals. Simultaneously, she maintained a passion for pursuing fine art, constantly photographing the natural world in original styles and focusing on our relationship with the surrounding ecosphere. Her work has been honored with many photographic accolades and shown in several exhibitions worldwide.

Lennette’s photographic approach is based on conceptual and aesthetic exploration, pushing the boundaries of storytelling through her discerning creative process. Her conceptual work invites the viewer to examine our natural journey and how our connection to the natural world leads back to humanity and ultimately defines us. This coincides with her passion and commitment to the animal kingdom, which has resulted in bodies of work celebrating species diversity while raising ecological awareness.

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To see more Photography 2024 competition winners, click here.