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A theatrical "vintage toy" artwork by artist Xavier Nuez of a "us navy" panther fighter jet

Panther

Vintage Toy series

 

"Panther" is a vintage children's toy, built in the early 1960s. My toy photo collection is a sub-set of the light painting series. These vintage toys have so much built in drama and history, which is perfect since I love creating theatrical fictions and epic dramas thru my photographs.

I shoot these in my studio where I usually build little sets for them (some are a partial, or entirely digital setting) and then I light them in a light painting style, through long exposures.
The Panther toy was modeled after the Grumman F9F Panther, which was one of the US Navy's first successful carrier-based jet fighters. Its first flight was in 1947; the plane was retired in 1958.

Antique Toy World magazine did a cover story on my toy photos

 

"In none of his photos does Nuez exploit the obvious" 

Montreal Gazette

 

"Seductive ... Nuez's photos do not leave one indifferent"

Ciel Variable - Contemporary Photography magazine

 

Light Paintings series

 

I sometimes fantasize that with the snap of a finger, I can escape reality ... in a moment, be transported to a dream world free of life's demands, a child's playground where magic exists and all is right with the world.My Light Paintings are that portal. Through them I can transcend reality and escape into these beautiful, vibrant yet peaceful realms.

 

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Although there is some digital manipulation in this series, the unusual lighting and surreal quality in the Light Painting series is achieved by using colored lights during long exposures. They are not digital effects.

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Xavier Nuez |  Light Painting Photography

319 N. Albany Ave, Studio 1N5

Chicago, IL 60612

510-648-6810

© Xavier Nuez, 2026

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