Q&A: Philippe Narten, the artist behind Official Muscle Body Art
OFFICIALMUSCLEBODYART has spent more than a decade turning bodybuilders into striking digital artwork, picking up a loyal following along the way. Behind the account is Philippe Narten, 48, born in Belgium and based just outside Oslo, Norway, since 1992. FrontDouble caught up with him to talk origins, process and why the account will never go fully commercial
By Gary Chappell
How did you first get into digital art, and what drew you specifically to bodybuilding physiques rather than other subjects?
Ever since my youth, I have been deeply fascinated by the human capability to sculpt one's own physique into something truly extraordinary – almost God-like. I've always gravitated toward creating art that highlights and celebrates the pure aesthetics, lines and classical symmetry of bodybuilders.
When did Official Muscle Body Art start and was there a specific athlete or image that made you realise this could become a permanent project?
I officially launched the account in September 2012. Early on, I gained traction on Instagram, particularly through my work featuring Wesley Vissers (below) during the very beginning of his journey. He was an athlete I frequently featured and drew inspiration from as the project found its footing.
You often credit both @officialmusclebodyart and @the_king_philippe. What is the relationship between the two, and how did they come about separately?
For a long time starting in 2012, I combined my personal posts with the Official Muscle Body Art content on the same feed. As the brand grew and evolved, I decided in 2019 to spin off a dedicated personal account, @the_king_philippe. I still wanted to properly credit the creator behind Official Muscle Body Art, which is why my personal profile bridges that connection.
Take us through a typical piece, from the initial photograph or reference to the finished image.
I usually start by thoroughly reviewing various photos of the athlete. From there, I try to capture inspiration from their personality, personal interests, signature expressions and – most importantly – their unique physique, building the concept from the ground up.
What software and techniques do you lean on most and how has your toolkit changed as the page has grown?
In the beginning, it relied heavily on traditional Photoshop work, cutting and pasting. Today, I utilise AI tools like Gemini to streamline the process, but I constantly experiment with new styles and current trends without ever losing sight of what matters most: the authentic presentation of the physique.
Some of your work looks almost hyper-realistic, while other pieces are much more stylised. How do you choose the aesthetic for each subject?
I let the mood of the reference photo and the athlete's persona dictate the style. Some physiques demand a gritty, hyper-realistic showcase of conditioning and hard lines, while others lend themselves better to a bold, artistic and stylised interpretation.
You've featured a number of UK athletes, including Andrew England (above). How do athletes usually end up being featured – do they reach out to you, or do you reach out to them?
It's usually me making the first move. However, as I build a closer rapport and an ongoing dialogue with the athletes, it naturally evolves into a two-way street where we collaborate on new ideas and concepts.
What is the difference between working from the imagery of a UK bodybuilder compared to an Olympia-level open competitor like Samson Dauda?
Honestly, there isn't a massive difference for me. My focus has never been on how famous an athlete is or how many followers they command. Every competitor is treated with the same respect and approached creatively based purely on what their physique demands.
FrontDouble readers live and breathe the UK competitive scene. Has working with British physiques changed how you view posing, conditioning or presentation compared to international names?
Not necessarily in terms of the physical training or posing, but I have to say that UK athletes are particularly great to communicate with. In my experience, they are remarkably down-to-earth and show a genuine, heartfelt appreciation for my artwork.
Have any athletes ever asked you to change something after seeing a draft and how do you handle that?
Yes, absolutely – that happens quite often! When it does, I'm more than happy to make adjustments or even start fresh if needed. My ultimate goal is always to make sure the athlete is genuinely happy with how they are represented.
What is the best reaction you've ever gotten from an athlete after seeing themselves transformed into one of your pieces?
That has to be when Wesley Vissers reached out to me back in 2019 and asked if he could use one of my artworks for official merchandise hoodies he was releasing. Coming from a bodybuilder I have always deeply admired, that was an incredible and humbling compliment.
Bodybuilding already has a strong photographic tradition. Where do you see digital art sitting alongside stage photography and studio shoots?
I believe photography and AI-assisted digital art will have a fantastic future walking hand in hand, as long as it doesn't completely detach from reality. The audience must still be able to instantly recognise the authentic athlete behind the art.
Tattoos and inked physiques frequently feature in your work. Is that a personal preference, something athletes request, or something the audience reacts particularly strongly to?
That primarily comes down to personal taste – I simply find that tattoos add a unique artistic layer and visual contrast that look incredible when combined with a heavily muscled physique.
You push a lot of extra content out on TikTok. How does that platform differ from Instagram for this type of art?
My TikTok profile is vastly different from my Instagram feed. TikTok is much more spontaneous and community driven, often focusing on every-day internet culture and live-streaming events rather than strictly revolving around bodybuilding art.
How does the reaction from the bodybuilding community compare to people who simply appreciate muscle art in general?
The response has been overwhelmingly positive across the board from both dedicated bodybuilding insiders and general fans of muscle aesthetics.
Do you take on commissions and what does a typical commission look like from an athlete or a fan?
I used to do them quite often, but after the explosion of AI tools made it easy for almost anyone to generate basic images, the demand shifted. Nowadays, my focus isn't financial gain; rather, it's about giving something meaningful back to a community that I deeply look up to and admire.
Has Official Muscle Body Art become a business in its own right and how do you balance the creative side with the commercial?
No, Official Muscle Body Art has always been and will always remain, a pure hobby for me. This is something I do purely out of passion and joy. The day this becomes strictly commercial and solely about revenue is the day the joy disappears – and with it, the account would end too.
What is the one piece you are most proud of and why did that specific one hit differently than the others?
I hold a special pride for my pieces featuring Tom Coleman, Mike O'Hearn, Wesley Vissers, Don Valley (above) and Andrew England. Those particular works stand out to me as some of my absolute best achievements.
Where do you want Official Muscle Body Art to go next – more UK athletes, motion work, prints, or something entirely different?
The road ahead for me is all about keeping that pure enjoyment alive and simply continuing to give back to an incredible community that I love being a part of.
In Their Words
A tribute to Philippe Narten from the athletes he's brought to life
Wesley Vissers, Dutch IFBB Pro bodybuilder
"What stood out to me from the beginning was how Philippe managed to capture not just the physique, but the character behind it. His artwork had this classic bodybuilding feeling to it while still looking very unique and recognisable as his own style. That is what made me want to use one of his pieces on a hoodie. It did not just feel like a cool drawing of me, it felt like something that represented the whole image and identity I was building at the time.
"His work has become much more refined over the years. The anatomy, detail, lighting and overall presentation have all gone to another level, but he has kept that same signature style that made his work stand out in the first place. I think that is probably the hardest thing for an artist to do: keep improving technically without losing what made people recognise your work to begin with."
Andrew England, Fitness Model
"It's definitely grown over time. Others have become more aware of what Philippe has been doing and how skilled he actually is. I really love working with him. He's easy to work with and he always does a good job. If I ever have an idea and I give it to him, he always runs with it and makes it his own, but always keeps the bits that I wanted in there.
"Putting the British names on the map gives me a proud sense of feeling. And that he chose to use me as well, it's a very nice feeling."
Samson Dauda: From UK beginner to Mr Olympia champion
Long-time friend Chris Jones pays tribute as 2024 Mr Olympia marks a milestone birthday
By Gary Chappell
Samson Dauda is one of the biggest names in modern bodybuilding – and his rise to Mr Olympia champion has been years in the making.
He turned 40 on March 11 2026 in a milestone that feels almost surreal for those who remember the early days of his bodybuilding journey.
Because long before the Olympia title in 2024, the Arnold Classic victory and guest appearances around the world, Dauda was simply a young man walking into a UK gym with a modest ambition.
Early beginnings
As long-time friend and former NABBA Mr Universe Chris Jones recalls, when they first met back in 2009, Dauda’s goal was not world domination. It was something far simpler.
“I just want to get a bit bigger and put on a bit of muscle,” Dauda had said humbly back then.
Few sentences in bodybuilding history have aged quite like that one.
Samson Dauda at 40
Jones, who helped Dauda begin his journey during those early years and who has stayed close ever since, paid tribute to the champion in a heartfelt message marking his friend’s birthday.
“Happy 40th Birthday to my good friend Samson Dauda – the most humble and greatest champion I have ever had the privilege to know,” wrote Jones on his instagram account.
“It seems crazy to see just how far you have come ever since we first met back in 2009 at my old gym and you said those famous words – 'I just want to get a bit bigger and put on a bit of muscle'. Well you have certainly done that and then some.
“We have shared so many special moments through the years, through all the training sessions, the competitions on the amateur circuit, the contest preps, the triumphs and also the disappointments, which have all cemented our friendship.
“I cannot tell you just how proud I am of you and all that you have achieved and how you continue to be such a great ambassador for this sport.”
The long road to the top
Dauda’s rise did not happen overnight. Like many of Britain’s best bodybuilders, his career was built through years of amateur competition, incremental progress and relentless training long before the global spotlight arrived.
He eventually earned his IFBB Pro League status in 2017, winning the overall title at the Diamond Cup in Rome. After that, he steadily climbed the ranks of professional bodybuilding, winning the Arnold Classic in 2023 and becoming known for his immense structure, flowing muscle bellies and stage presence.
But the biggest chapter of the story came in recent years.
After pushing competitors close on the international stage, Dauda ultimately reached bodybuilding’s summit when he won the Mr Olympia title in 2024, becoming only the second British bodybuilder to win that crown.
For Dauda himself, the moment carried a deeply personal significance. In an article on Frontdouble following the victory, he described the achievement in simple terms: “This is a dream come true.”
For those who have known Dauda longest, however, the most remarkable thing about his journey is not the trophies.
It is that, by most accounts, the man himself has changed very little.
Despite reaching the pinnacle of professional bodybuilding, he continues to be widely regarded as one of the most approachable and grounded figures in the sport.
Jones’ birthday tribute reflects that sentiment, describing not just a champion, but a friend.
“Here is to you my friend, your legacy and your future and your happiness. I wish you a very happy birthday indeed.”
At 40 years old, Dauda now hopes to bring his best package yet to this year's Mr Olympia, with recent social media posts and guest spots showing that the mass absent from last year's competition is well and truly back.
And if his career so far has shown anything, it is that the journey which began with a simple desire to “put on a bit of muscle” has become something far bigger than anyone in that gym back in 2009 could have imagined.
Samson Dauda: ‘I paid the price for not being bigger’ after Mr Olympia loss
Former Mr Olympia Samson Dauda admits chasing condition cost him size as he finished fourth in 2025 behind Derek Lunsford
By Gary Chappell
SAMSON DAUDA says losing his Mr Olympia title "hurts" as he admitted chasing condition saw him sacrifice too much size.
Dauda, winner in 2024, was awarded fourth place at the Olympia contest in Las Vegas, USA. Derek Lunsford was announced the winner, reclaiming the title he first won in 2023.
Standing alongside Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, who finished second, and third-placed Andrew Jacked, Dauda appeared somehow slimmer than last year – if that is possible at a weight of about 280lbs plus.
But writing on social media afterwards, the Briton said: "Sometimes doing everything right still doesn’t give you the result you hoped for.
"We came in fourth this year at the Olympia. I won’t lie, it hurts. I listened, adjusted and brought the best version of myself to the stage… leaner, sharper and in the best condition of my life.
"But in chasing perfection, I paid the price for not being the bigger version."
Dauda's setback, however, has made the "fire burn even brighter" – which means it is definitely game on in 2026.
He said: "Still, I hold my head high. Because what we [coach and wife Marlenka] achieved was something special. The journey, the growth, the resilience… that’s what defines a true athlete.
"Massive congratulations to Derek on winning his second title and to all the incredible competitors who brought their absolute best this weekend. Sharing the stage with you all is an honour every single time.
"This isn’t the end, it’s a chapter. The fire burns even brighter now.
"Thank you all for the love, support and belief. We’ll be back. And we’ll make sure I'll be better and stronger."
Sasan Heirati, also from the UK, finished joint 16th, effectively out of the placings, on his Olympia debut, while Britain's Ryan Terry successfully defended his Men's Physique Olympia title, winning for a third consecutive time.
From rugby player to best bodybuilder on the planet: The rise of Britain's finest
By Gary Chappell
SAMSON DAUDA says being crowned Mr Olympia is a "dream come true" and has revealed competing in France two weeks ago gave him the perfect information to dial in his condition.
Dauda became only the second Briton since Dorian Yates to win the coveted Mr Olympia title, when dethroning Derek Lunsford in Las Vegas on Saturday night. He also beat 2022 champion Hadi Choopan and 2019 winner Brandon Curry.
Dauda said: "This is a dream come true. This is unreal. This has just been amazing. We knew we were trying to bring something special this year and we knew we could do it. And to have it come to play and happen like this, I couldn't ask for better.
"It feels crazy, it feels [like I'm] over the moon. It feels like all that work all year, putting through everything, to stand on that stage and say 'we did it, against all [the odds], we did it'. There is nothing better."
Dauda received criticism in some corners for his decision to compete at the France Pro just two weeks out from the Olympia. But his surprise move paid dividends because he was given feedback from judges which made him knuckle down even more.
He said: "We really pushed things down because we got the feedback from the judges in France. We knew we had to dig deeper because I knew exactly what they wanted to see. The last two weeks I was doing an hour and a half cardio every day.
"Are you trying to starve me to death?"
"My wife [Marlena Gustowska his coach] was cutting my food so fast I was like 'are you trying to starve me to death'? She really pushed me down and she really wanted to me to shock the world. I don't even know how that happened but she said, 'trust me, you don't lose muscle. You're going to suffer. Even though you're going to hate me for it, trust me, you're going to thank me for it at the end'. Now we know we can achieve this look, I know how far I have to push things."
Speaking to the many fans gathered in Las Vegas, Dauda added: "For all the support you guys [fans] have given me, all your messages, all your love, I want to say thank you so much for everything. It has meant the world to me. We have been through a lot this year and you all stuck by me and I'm truly thankful."
Samson Dauda: From Rugby Player to Mr Olympia
Dauda has taken the bodybuilding world by storm, rising from relative obscurity to become Mr Olympia. However, his path to success was not always rooted in bodybuilding. His journey began on the rugby field, playing first on the wing before moving to outside centre. This is where he built the foundation of his remarkable physique and developed the discipline that would later propel him to greatness on the bodybuilding stage.
During a previous interview, Dauda said: “I was playing rugby for the town I was living in at the time and the guys I was in the changing room with would say, ‘wow, you have a great physique. Have you ever thought about competing'? “I was like, ‘what are you talking about'?"
Dauda spoke to local gym owner Chris Jones – a former NABBA Pro and now NABBA judge. Then he saw the 2013 Mr Olympia contest, which was won by Phil Heath.
“I was just blown away by it. I was like oh my God,” said Dauda at the time. “It just kind of caught me at that point and I was like ‘OK, you know what? I want to do this'."
Jones continues to be a close friend to this day and wrote a glowing tribute on social media: "Well, how do I even begin to put into words just how proud I am right now about Samson Dauda becoming the very best bodybuilder on the planet and becoming the 19th man in history to win the Mr Olympia?
There was something very special about Samson
"Right from the very beginning, it was obvious there was something very special about Samson. He used to work with my wife in 2009 at Basildon Hospital. A simple conversation about going to the gym and Samson wanting to get “a bit bigger”, led to my wife giving Samson my phone number. A few days later, he called me and arranged to come and see me at the gym.
"He walked in weighing about 150 pounds and I gave him a training plan and a diet plan and off he went happy with what we'd discussed.
"Around six months later, he came back to see me – and had gained around 15 pounds of pure muscle. It was blatantly apparent that Samson had a great ability to grow muscle even back then.
ON THE RIGHT PATH: Samson Dauda and close friend and early mentor Chris Jones (left)
"Fast forward a few years and we had so many adventures and experiences together. And with the persuasion of his wife Marlena, he agreed to do his first bodybuilding show. All the years of competing, going to regional qualifiers, British championships together and trying to make a mark. It was clear that Samson was destined for greatness.
"Through all the success, Samson is still the same humble, down-to-earth guy that he has always been and has always remained true and loyal to his friends.
"I will close this by saying that I am truly humbled and privileged to say that my mate Samson Dauda is now THE best bodybuilder on the planet. A nd he still comes down our gym [Evolve Fitness in Essex] to chat with us lads and eat and train. Well done Samson and Marlena."
Despite several accounts profiling his competition history, Dauda actually competed with at the IBFA Hampshire in 2013, winning his class and the overall.
“It just felt so natural to be on there, you know,” said Dauda. “One of the promoters came to me and said, ‘I think you can win this class [the overall]’. I was like ‘are you out of your mind’?”
Fast forward 11 years and Dauda is the best bodybuilder on the planet. Mr Olympia.
Early Struggles and Breakthroughs
Dauda’s entry into the competitive bodybuilding scene was not easy. He faced many of the challenges that come with starting a new sport – learning how to pose, understanding nutrition and perfecting his stage presence. His initial competitions were met with mixed results. But Dauda persisted, knowing that he had the potential to rise to the top.
It was not until he started learning the intricacies of professional bodybuilding that Dauda’s career began to take off. His physique, known for its symmetry, size and definition, started to catch the attention of judges and fans alike.
In 2021, Dauda had his breakthrough year, placing highly in several major competitions, including the Arnold Classic and IFBB Pro League shows. His combination of mass, aesthetics and an impressive posing routine set him apart from the competition.
The Road to Mr Olympia
By 2022, Dauda had solidified himself as a legitimate contender for the Mr. Olympia title. His transformation from a rugby player to a world-class bodybuilder is a testament to his work ethic and determination. His Nigerian heritage, combined with his British upbringing, gave him a unique identity and perspective in the sport.
Dauda’s rise to prominence is an inspirational story of resilience, discipline and ambition. And now he and wife Marlena know what he needs to do to dial in that Mr Olympia condition. So the question now is: Just how many can he win?
Dauda might well be known as the Nigerian Lion but right now there is no doubt he is Britain's best.
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