Delve into the intriguing world of DWChase, a multifaceted individual who has embarked on a remarkable journey from the shores of Galveston Island, Texas, to the landscapes of The Big Island of Hawaii. Discover the transformation of a self-proclaimed introvert who found solace in front of the camera and how his unique blend of modelling and self-expression has redefined his life. Join us as we explore the origins of "DWChase," his evolving relationship with his body, and his foray into the world of artistic nudity. In this candid conversation, DWChase opens up about his aspirations, his creative endeavors, and the uncharted territories he hopes to conquer in the ever-evolving landscape of 2023.
The images are cropped/ made safe for online purposes, full images available inside Yummyzine Issue Three
Photo story by Paul Boulon
B. JOHNSON. We would love to hear where you are currently based at the moment. Was this always home for you?
DWC. Aloha! I have been living on The Big Island of Hawaii a little over a year. I’ve enjoyed many trips and photoshoots to Big Island over the past decade and finally decided to leave Galveston Island Texas after 12 years and live somewhere that provides more adventure, diversity in culture, landscape and people. One of the biggest draws was the year around 83 degree weather, so it’s always speedo season. I’m originally from Western North Carolina that has very defined seasons that I’ve never been a fan of.
B. JOHNSON. Your island life on Hawaii, living amongst such natural beauty everyday must have created a particular outlook for yourself. How does living in such an environment feel for you?
DWC. I suffer from what’s known as seasonal affective disorder, and would get seriously depressed during winters in Carolina that would last five months, two month winters in Texas and now, no winter in Hawaii. The change has greatly increased my mood, loving where you live is important for me, and I finally feel I’m where I belong. Hawaii helps me stay focused mentally and physically on all my work, five various jobs in fact. I’m still discovering new spots and places on Big Island and hope to continue exploring for years to come.
B. JOHNSON. The name that you use for modelling, “DWChase” holds a particular meaning. Could you dive into that a little bit?
DWC. “DWChase” is an anagram of my real name. I started using it when my family discovered my modelling work back in 2008, when I lived in Los Angeles. However it became a useful moniker to separate my work as a film critic and film professor. I wish I had created something more interesting, but sitting in the World Market managers office in 2008, before my modelling work had any significance, that’s what popped into my head. Now feels as good a time as any to abandoned the separate identity along with the clothes.
B. JOHNSON. In turn, how did you enter modelling? Was it always a dream or something that fell upon you?
DWC. Film Criticism was always my dream, I always knew what I wanted to do. It’s what I studied in college and have used me degree in Mass Communications for. I had ambitions of interviewing actors, attending film festivals, reviewing movies on my own tv show and in print and through a lot of hard work, I managed to do all of that. It was after interviewing Cate Blanchett, that I sat in my chair and wept that this redneck boy from North Carolina had somehow accomplished almost everything I sat out to do. Modelling however, was never a dream, born out of boredom and a curiosity with the camera. From MySpace to Model Mayhem to Instagram, modelling was my artistic, expressionistic outlet. I tried to walk away from it many times but would always get pulled back in by photographers with unique concepts. Modelling also became a way to travel, explore and learn more about myself.
B. JOHNSON. For many, being in front of the camera can be a very daunting experience. Yet, it seems like you revel in it. What about modelling do you enjoy?
DWC. It’s a little embarrassing looking back at old photos of my as a young child, it was clear then I enjoyed being the center of attention. I think what I enjoy most about modelling now, even though “DWChase” isn’t a real person, only a character, but it’s a character I enjoy playing. It’s an escape. I’ve grown to be a very introverted person who has debilitating social anxiety. Few friends, I spend most of my time on my own. modelling is an outlet for me to collaborate with artisans, or even fans of my work. I don’t just enjoying the posing aspect of modelling, quite the opposite actually, I enjoy the early stages of planning a shoot, working with the photographer in pre production, of course on the shoot and even after in the editing and submission of the work. I have a real obsession with accomplishment and making sure things are complete.
B. JOHNSON. When we first chatted, you mentioned that the decision to shoot with Paul Boulon was thought through. Why and how did this come about?
DWC. Originally I had been discussing a shoot with Sasha Olsen. I had planned to use all my savings to fly to wherever he might be and do this, big reveal shoot. Dancer turned model turned photographer Paul Boulon and I became friends in the latter part of my time in Texas. During the pandemic era we collaborated a lot, and I enjoyed our work together and my fans really seem to love it. We both had a very rough time in 2022 in our personal lives. After I moved to Hawaii, we hadn’t spoken much until one day he asked if he could come stay a month to figure some things out. That’s when I had the idea, that is collaborating on this project might be good for both of us. I think he envisioned us shooting for a couple of days, but we traversed the island, taking advantage of the hard to reach spots and the idea of showing a side to Hawaii that most won’t recognized excites me. We both risked our lives and were injured multiple times on the shoot, but hopefully the photos will have all been worth it. The time spent working together on this shoot brought us closer as friends and in many ways is a photographic diary of our adventures.
B. JOHNSON. The images, and your social media, show a real appreciation and celebration of your body as the mechanism that it is. What is your relationship with your body? Has it always been a celebration?
DWC. No, it wasn’t always that way. Growing up I was the scrawny kid that was smaller than all my classmates. Even more awkward then than now, I was bullied from grade school to high school. So much so that I would hold my pee, for fear of having to deal with school restrooms. I was the journalism nerd who hid in the communications lab just so I could stay away from everyone. College wasn’t much different, staying away from people because I never fit in. But it was college that I discovered fitness. My brother had a big role in inspiring me to get in shape. It wasn’t until my time in Texas that I started taking nutrition and health as serious as fitness. Each year I got older I would give up some vice that would help make me stronger. modelling and fitness just became intertwined. Now going to the gym is like therapy for me. I have an addictive personality, which is why I’ve never touched alcohol or drugs. I’ve tried to turn what obtuse addictions I have into beneficial things.
B. JOHNSON. In that same regard, your followers are incredibly vocal and supportive of the way that you place emphasis on your body's freedom. How does it feel to have such support from them?
DWC. The fact that I have followers, fans and supporters, still shocks me. I don’t see myself as anyone special. I’m humbled daily by those who subscribe to my work or reach out to me. I see so many more beautiful people than me and I just can’t understand why I’ve been blessed with all the opportunities I’ve had.
B. JOHNSON. It appears by all regards that you are very comfortable with nudity and nude expression. Why is this? Do you feel more free with less attire?
DWC. I’m glad it appears that way, because it’s taken me a long time to get there. I was raised that nudity is sinful and bad. I’m very self-conscious of my appearance and behaviour. With a very conservative upbringing, even getting to the point of wearing speedos in public was a big deal. The fact that we are here, talking about “DWChase” full frontal work, is a place I wasn’t so sure I would ever arrive. To more full answer your question, my work on my body, and it is work, lots of work, allows me to feel more comfortable with nudity.
B. JOHNSON. Getting a little deeper into your personal life, you have a high sexual energy around what you do. Would you consider yourself a very sexual being?
DWC. “DWChase” has a sexual energy that I don’t seem to have in my everyday life. Which is another reason for this big coming out of sorts in Yummy. I hope to combine everything into one package. I think it’s an area I’m still working on and growing into.
B. JOHNSON. To further that, do you think that your sexual interests also fall in line with this? Do you have any wild stories to share with the Yummy Universe?
DWC. My interests are to find someone who can match my energy, ambition, and sense of adventure. I hope that sex is a part of this mystery person I’ve yet to find. But right now my sexual interests I guess end with what’s on the pages of Yummy. I’m still waiting for that person to create wild stories with.
B. JOHNSON. You have created a website, dwchase.com - which you label as the “First Class” experience? Tell us about this, why go to the lengths of creating your own website?
DWC. DWChase.com is a place for my fans to see the most of me, it’s updated every single day, without fail, since the site’s launch. I don’t know many others promise that. It also has the archive to my over 100 photoshoots in chronological order. And after the debut of Yummyzine 5, I will start adding full frontal work from present work I’m doing and retro actively adding the never before seen photos to archived shoots. I designed my own website to give my fans east access to my work in an easy to navigate package.
B. JOHNSON. In today’s age, more and more platforms are being created that allow us to expose and entertain with our bodies as the main medium. Yet, there is still stigma attached to this. What would you say to someone who is critical of such developments?
DWC. Each person has to decide for themselves what they are comfortable with. For some of us, it takes a little longer, and I am thankful to my fans who have had such supportive patience with me. The idea of male nudity has evolved so much since I started modelling and studying film. We see full frontal in mainstream films all the time now. Actors, top models, it was actually Sasha Olsen’s shoot with David Bodas in Yummy issue 6 that helped me make the final decision to go full frontal. It’s the artists who are slowly erasing the stigma.
B. JOHNSON. As DW Chase heads into the future, what do you hope for yourself? Any goals for the rest of 2023?
DWC. I have accomplished a lot of my ambitious goals, living in Hawaii one of the larger ones. I think my ambition for accomplishment is fading and my focus now, is just finding someone to share everything with. And maybe working with Sasha Olsen! [Laughs]
Yummyzine Issue 5, Autumn Edition is on waitlist (like a preorder) we print in October 23
| WHATS A WAITLIST |
| If you are new to Yummy, all our upcoming photo books are bought on Waitlist, we collect orders together and then print the issue. We print Yummy twice a year. Summer and Winter. The benefits of buying on the waitlist:
Ships worldwide, be the first to see. Packaging, is secure, heavy-duty, with NO branding on the outside. Specially designed to be low-key and discreet, but capable of shipping this super heavy, thick photobook.
|
YUMMYZINE ISSUE 5. GET ON THE WAITIST TODAY
