People like to talk about how irritating they find Food Network hottie Rachael Ray "irritating", but skin fans know the truth--she's a sizzling little spitfire, hotter than a braised pork shoulder!

So imagine how excited we were when we heard that an artist is planning a NUDE portrait of the spunky seductress!

According to the New York Post:

We hear that artist Alex Gardega is painting a nude, 6-foot portrait of "charming and sexy" Rachael Ray and using paprika mixed with oils for the TV chef's skin tones.

Although photographs would normally be our medium of choice when it comes to portraying Rachael Ray naked, we think this Alex Gardega is onto something. After all, you can't lick a photograph.