With the success of Java's
Bachelor Pad first Cheesecake Contest, we decided
to hold another one. (Check out the JBP
Cheesecake Yahoo Group for the full story. And don't forget
to also check out our very cool sponsors Sin
Set Books, "Star
and Garter Magazine", and Bowlingshirt.com!)
By the time we were done, twenty gals had entered the contest, over 200
votes were cast, and we had ourselves a new Cheesecake Queen...Miss
Tayva! Here now is an exclusive interview with our newest pin-up
queen.
* * * * *
(Interview from January 2004)
Java's Bachelor Pad: First off, congratulations. How does it
feel to be the latest Java's Bachelor Pad Cheesecake Queen?
Miss Tayva: WOW! I'm rather surprised, really. All of the
contestants were very beautiful, and the photography portfolios were astounding.
The competition was fierce, to say the least. Like I said, I'm surprised.
Elated, as well!
JBP: For those of us who don't know Miss Tayva,
tell us a little about yourself.
T: Well, I was born and raised in the high desert of
Arizona. I moved around a bit after high school, but I'm back in Arizona.
I have a daughter, Anais, who will be two this March.
My interests are record collecting, traveling,
collecting vintage clothing and antiques, playing guitar, gardening and
gourmet cooking, among others. I also have twins on the way--they'll be
here in July. Which means I'll be staying home with the kids, which is
sort of a change for me. Up until the birth of my daughter, I've always
worked. Even now, I still feel strange NOT working! I still tend to get
my feet wet every now and then, though, as far as my former occupations
go. I used to work as a journalist/photojournalist, and also in advertising
as a graphic designer. I've been published in Thrasher [skateboarding]
Magazine, and also in local area magazines, and I also accomplished my
lifelong dream of writing a book this past summer! I also have another
book in the works. I guess you could classify my works as New Mexico history--they
were written as sort of a family history project, but in New Mexico (where
my descendants are from), there is a market for that sort of thing. I also
keep busy designing websites and brochures, and also flyers for promoters
and rockabilly shows in the Los Angeles area.
Music is a big part of my life, though.
I started playing instruments at the age of six. Although it's something
I don't do much these days (laziness), I enjoy listening to music very
much--especially on vinyl.
I've also always wanted to perform (musically),
and got the chance to do so just recently, for an Elvis Presley tribute
concert in Los Angeles. The show was astounding, and it was an honor to
be able to perform there--among some of the biggest and brightest performers
in the rockabilly scene! I am also an artist and enjoy painting on canvas.
I've been working on a series of paintings--slowly but surely--of 1940s
'glamour' girls. In fact, one of my paintings is being featured on a promotional
art card by a rockabilly/surf record label called
Golly
Gee Records. I'm pretty excited about that! Basically, the cards get
sent out with all the CDs they sell, so they'll be reaching quite a few
people! They're coming out this month, alongside the new Rip Carson and
Rory Justice CDs, and another rockabilly compilation. I'm also working
on some lowbrow paintings. I have probably about five unfinished paintings
at my house, though...I'm the type of person who gets bored easily when
it comes to certain things...so I have to quit and immediately start something
else. I guess it's because when it comes to art, I have a million ideas
in my head and am eager to work on them all!
JBP: When I look at your photos (which I do quite often) I see
a combination of classic pin-up mixed with a rockabilly edge. How do you
describe your pin-up style?
T: I'm not even sure how I'd describe it! I guess the tattoos
are sort of unique and give my photos an "edge"...but I really admire the
pin-up art of yesteryear. Artists like Peter Driben, Alberto Vargas, Rolf
Armstrong, Billy DeVorss, Art Frahm, and of course, old glamorous photos
(like what you feature on your Java's Bachelor Pad group) of burlesque
show girls really inspire me.
JBP: How did you get involved in pin-up modeling?
T: I dunno, it's something that just sort of happened. I did
a bit of modeling in the past, the first shoot I can recall, was a 1930's-inspired
"gangster" shoot. I used actual guns (yeah, we're allowed to have those
in Arizona) and a '30's-model Ford in the shoot, alongside a vintage dress
that once belonged to silent film star Norma Dean. It wasn't 'til years
later that I got interested again. I actually started when I was pregnant
with my daughter. I hope to continue with it. I used to work as a photographer
and have plenty of experience behind the camera, so I've been taking my
own photos. Photographers are very scarce in the area I live in, and most
of those around are novice in experience, so I'd prefer to do it myself!
I'd love to work with another photographer, though!
JBP: What is it about the retro style that attracted you to it?
T: I've collected vintage clothing and antiques for many years,
so I guess that sort of comes along with it. I'm really particular about
my collecting. I'm so into it, that my entire house-- from top to bottom--is
decorated with authentic 1950s furnishings...down to every detail in my
daughter's room. Nothing in the house is out of place. It's just something
that I have a passion for. Maintaining my home is a full-time hobby. I
also love the look of the clothing, I think the styles of the 1950s are
so much more glamorous and flattering than the clothing that is made today.
Women always looked elegant, the men always looked well groomed and sharp.
I'm very meticulous about my appearance, as well...so I think the retro-fifties
style is very fitting for me.
JBP: There's no doubt you have a lot of fans. You had almost
30% of the votes. How did one girl get so popular?
T: Well, you can ask a few friends of mine about this...I
think I obtained most of my votes
through making threats of bodily harm...I threatened to beat people
senseless if they didn't vote for me, and I think I scared most of them
into doing so...haha. No, really, I don't know how to answer this question!
I just put the word out on various Yahoo groups, e-mailed everybody I knew,
and you know how the rest went!
JBP: You are one tattooed gal. Tell us about your inks.
T: Well, I got started with the tattooing at age 15. I had
a cousin--much older than I--who was way into it, who introduced me to
his tattoo artist. I was only 15 at the time, and Arizona law at that time
allowed 16 year-olds to be tattooed (with parental consent, of course).
I had a very lenient mom who took me to get my first tattoo. I looked much
older than I was, so I got away with getting inked! I was pretty much hooked
after that. I'd say that I got probably 80% of my tattoos between then
and by the time I was 19. It's been a few years since then, and I haven't
gotten anymore. I've been having a hard time finding an artist that I'm
comfortable with. I'm waiting until I go to Europe to get more work done--the
artists over there are astounding!
JBP: So, you have your own Yahoo group. How did that get started?
Any thoughts of creating your own pin-up website?
T: Actually, I never thought of doing one, in the beginning.
A lot of other girls who were doing the same thing (pin-up modeling) had
groups except me. After winning several contests, I had a bunch of people
ask me why I didn't have one. So basically, I did it just to shut them
up...haha. Not really. I dunno, I just thought it would be fun to have
one. I've had the idea of starting up a website, but I'd like to wait until
I have a bigger collection of photos (and more time on my hands to do it).
Hopefully once I recover from the babies, I can get in shape and get started
again, and perhaps have a website online!
JBP: Now that you're wearing the JBP Cheesecake Queen Crown,
what's next for you?
T: Well, my babies are my first priority. Since there are
two, I'm sure I'll be keeping busy for a while. We'll see what happens
after that!
