Carlos Cartagena Bettie Page

I noticed SwimmersGirl was representing Carlos so I called and reserved a spot. And little did I expect to be this AMAZING. Thank SwimmersGirl and Carlos.


Bettie Page" New August 2022 commission painting from airbrush master Carlos Cartagena! Carlos FIRST Bettie Page commissioned by a Page fan and member here on CAF! A simply modern take on a classic painting Gil Elvgren with iconic Bettie.

Acrylic airbrush on Strathmore illustration board. 20" x 30"

I included images of process and the reference from the client's favorite Gil Elvgren to combine Bettie and "The Life of the Party". He didn't want it to be exact....


WHO IS CARLOS CARTAGENA? Just in case you don't know Carlos Cartagena is originally from Guatemala, but migrated to the Unites States in 1981. By 1990, Carlos was working as an illustrator for a sign company. Completely self-taught. In the 90s, he made a name on the Sunset Strip airbrushing leather jackets and custom award winning Harley-Davidson artwork on bikes. His work was beginning to reflect "his" sexy pin勃p style and sometimes erotic, but always in good taste. He consequently landed the covers of Easyriders & Hot Bike Magazines. In 1997 Mark Buck, the founder of Slap-On Decals, a company that manufactured, big size, high-quality, sexy pin-up decals to be applied to surfboards, car windows, skateboards, snowboards, and so on, commissioned Carlos and this recognition garnered Carlos International Success throughout Europe and beyond. Hugh Hefner loved his work and Carlos was commissioned by Playboy Magazine. Carlos illustrations were regulars in publications: Hooters, Playboy, Penthouse, Mystique Magazine, Femme Fatales and more. Charles Martignette and Louis K. Meisel also exhibited his work for many years. Carlos has been published in too many pinup art books to mention. Carlos is also credited as the artist that helped the late Armando Huerta transition from Mexico to California and get him settled to stay since Huerta didn't speak any English. Carlos removed himself from the spotlight to focus on family and commercial work, but missed making pinups for all of his fans. So HE IS BACK!