Mara experienced what most people can only dream about: she met and photographed one of the world's most beautiful adult film celebrities, Janine Lindemulder. Last year, like any other fan, Mara waited in line to meet the actress best known for her exceptional beauty and for only working with women after watching her perform at Club Elite in Pittsburgh's Strip District. "I looked at her and could only think, 'My God, she is perfect,'" says Mara. Mara, who is a self-taught photographer specializing in black-and-white photography, handed Janine a miniature portfolio of some of her nude photography, adding that she'd love to photograph her. "She went to the first page, then the second, and then she looked up at me with those big brown eyes of hers and said, 'I'm yours.' I was honored."

"X" marks the first time these photographs have been exhibited in an art gallery. They are the product of a two-day shooting session last year at Mara's studio.

"On the first day of shooting, we shot the hat photographs, the nudes, and what I call the 'O series'," says Mara. "Photographing Janine is like dancing with someone you've known for years," Mara says of the experience. "I made a tape of a variety of songs especially for the shoot...from Marvin Gaye's 'Lets Get It On' to 'Son of a Preacher Man' to Enigma. When she heard the music, she just flowed" ...and Mara clicked away, producing a series of beautiful erotic nudes. "The shoot was professional, yet truly erotic."

On the second day Mara and Janine shot a series of bondage-themed photographs. "Wild and dark are the two adjectives I'd use to describe this shoot,"

says the artist. They later moved to an outdoor pool. "The sun's underwater reflection onto Janine's body produced some awesome images," says Mara. "By the end of the day I was 'spent.' I can't imagine how she felt...she still had to do 3 shows at the club...what a woman!"

"I'd like to thank Paula and Michael Lysy for the use of their pool and the hamburgers and
potatoes! Richard from Eons for the use of the hat. Becky Bauer for your talent of transformation. And to you, Janine Lindemulder, I thank you for the honor." -- Mara