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Interpretation

After several posts about my work as an artist’s model, I realized that I’d never posted photos of the finished product! Here are some of my favorite paintings and drawings that came out of art classes and professional studio sessions in the last year or so. It’s fun to watch the process and see how different artists interpret the same model.

Feels like the first time

I’d been a fashion model for years – on and off my entire life, actually, and I thought I’d conquered the universally recurring nightmare of being naked in public. After all, I’d changed in front of countless other people – other models, designers, and (usually) gay men, and it never really fazed me. During a fashion show, models are little more than store mannequins to be changed like living Barbie dolls as fast as humanly possible and scooted back out on stage for another round of looking tragically cool and hiply detached. We’re practically schooled on looking as if we don’t give a damn in order to keep the fashionable fantasy alive.

So when my college professor asked me if I would consider modeling for the art department, I thought it’s be no big deal. I’d been naked in front of people before, right? I gathered together the necessary items: a robe, flip-flops, and a cushion to sit on during longer poses, courage…., and I went into the class only to discover that nothing was the same. With fashion modeling, focus is entirely on the clothes. Your body is merely a hanger to show them off. In art modeling, the body is the focus, and I had nearly 20 students staring at mine. The only fashionable fantasy I had was dreaming I was back in my robe again!

Thankfully, the first class ended and I was able to calm down and realize that they are truly there to learn and create. To this day, I have never had any incidences or feelings of being objectified. Everyone has been completely professional. Art students are the best, and I love the creative process. I feel like I’m learning along with them as I listen to the instructor’s guidance. The thing that terrified me beyond measure has become one of my favorite parts of my work.

Safety First

I am regularly approached by photographers who want to work with me in some capacity, and in today’s world, I had to learn to figure out who was a safe bet and who was a creepy potential stalker or worse. Having come through my learning curve relatively unscathed, let me share a few quick pointers to any new or aspiring models out there.

1. Know how to spot a G.W.C.: In the world of art photography, you have three general categories of photographer – the full-time professional who makes his or her (although 98% of the ones I’ve come across are guys, and for the purposes of this post, let’s assume they all are) living as a photographer. Secondly, you have the semi-pro guy who earnestly wants to make compelling art. He may have a day job somewhere else, but his passion lies behind the lens. Lastly, we have the Guy With Camera or G.W.C. These folks run around with a digital camera and precious little additional equipment and have figured out that there are naiive gals out there who will take their clothes off if someone points a camera at them. Since digital photography has become more and more popular and simple, these guys seem to be behind every tree (usually in a trench coat). They put up profiles on legitimate modeling sites, and start emailing models. Usually, it’s the younger, less experienced girls who fall for this, but we’ve all been there. This brings me to the next point….

2. Location, location, location: If you are approached by someone like this, most likely they will flatter you and ask for a nude session at their home / hotel, etc. Now, this is not necessarily a bad thing in that many artists have home studios, but it can be a red flag in the uncovering of the G.W.C. A professional, freestanding studio is golden, but home studios are also potentially okay.

3. A visual: Be sure to ask him to show you samples of his work. I always, always do this before committing to anyone, no matter who they are. If I don’t like the art they produce, I figure we’ll not be a good match, and I politely decline. In order to save egos, my response is usually something like, “your work is interesting, but I don’t see me as a good fit for you. Thank you anyway and best of luck”. Don’t be pulled in by a big fee or flattery by a well-known photographer if his style isn’t for you.

4. Interview references: On sites such as ModelMayhem and One Model Place (among others), you are able to see who the photographer’s friends are and who he has worked with in the past. This is invaluable in finding out if he is professional in his work and attitude. Models will be happy to give you the scoop if you email them about a particular photographer. I had a bad experience early on in my career, and I was thrilled when I received an email from a girl he had asked to model for him. I told her the truth, and she was saved the same crap I had to contend with. Sadly, this guy’s work is beautiful, and I’d have worked with him over and over if he hadn’t been such a pig.

5. Notice dates: See how long he has been in the field. Someone who is semi-pro and has been working for the last several years is a sign that he’s legit. A guy with a profile and work history of only a few months will need further research.

6. Get the hell out: If you find yourself feeling uncomfortable for any reason at all during a shoot, you are completely within your rights to leave. You may have to forfeit your fee, but your dignity and safety are worth far more. You’re not only doing yourself a favor, but the creep may just realize that if he wants to be a true artist, he needs to treat the models with respect. Don’t remain where you feel unsafe!

I hope this is helpful to anyone who is starting out in the incredibly rewarding field of art photography. There are amazing photographers out there who are making fabulous works of art, and with a little savvy, you can have a wonderful career.

Some food for thought

I have modeled daily for the past three weeks… until today.  Today, I’m embracing laziness, and it couldn’t be going better.

There is a lot of effort that goes into being a model. Even when I’m not working, I don’t allow myself too much craziness, because it all shows on the skin. Drinking to excess puts bags and circles under the eyes. Smoking causes premature aging of the skin. Overeating is the kiss of death, and lack of sleep is…. well, they don’t call it “beauty sleep” for nothing. Any unauthorized hairstyle change, weight gain or loss, and even visible bruising and scarring can mean the loss of a job, not to mention the need to re-do all promotional photos and comp cards.

Not that I’m complaining – I love my job. My look, however, is my stock in trade, and that is a 24-hour a day issue to consider, which is what makes lazy days like today so potentially delicious. Today, I woke up and decided that I’d do exactly what I pleased. I thought about all the pizza and chocolate in my future, and even the margaritas I’ll celebrate with tonight. No gym, no makeup, nada.

Breakfast consisted of some leftover chocolate bunny from Easter and a glass of milk. Lunch was macaroni and cheese and birthday cake, and dinner will be Papa John’s pizza and breadsticks. Between meals, I munched on chips and slug Dr. Pepper. I look like hell – I haven’t showered, I’m still in my pajamas, and I’m not even sure if I combed my hair today.

People do all sorts of things on their days off from work. They go to the mall or to the movies, or they spend all day in bed. For a hard-working model, the best day off is a day of complete gastronomic hedonism. Salt, grease and sugar – the holy trinity of fattening and nutrient-free delight.

Absolutely delicious!

Take it all off

I came to Vegas as many of my friends did… not to follow a dream, but to follow a guy. Much like getting someone’s name tattooed on your body, the only ending for such a scenario is a spectacular break up. Although less spectacular than most, mine was nonetheless a serious setback in my Southern girl daydreams of happily ever after.

Vegas is a funny place. Very few out-of-towners, myself included, ever thought of the city as anything more than the Strip and the airport, but this city’s population actually hovers around 2 million souls, the majority of whom are from somewhere far away, and far, far different.

I have been a fashion model off and on for much of my life, but never did I think I’d carry anything like that into Sin City. My idea of what Vegas models did was vaguely linked to the shadowy “happy endings” in our fair city’s staggering amounts of Asian massage parlors – of course, at first, I just thought that locals and visitors who frequented such places were supremely stressed out. It wasn’t until after I saw the inch-thick “entertainers” section in the yellow pages that I realized that it ain’t stress that brings the customers in.

The path to my literal designation as Live Nude Girl began when I was enrolled in art classes at the College of Southern Nevada, and the department head asked me if I wanted to be a model for the life drawing classes. I supposed it wasn’t that much of a stretch from all the gay male dressers who saw me naked over the years in the changing rooms at fashion shows, so I accepted the challenge, er, job.

Although my career is unconventional and fodder for countless questions from family and friends, I absolutely love it. I feel a part of an artistic process dating back to the time of cave paintings. In our go-go digital age, artists still must go to the living form to capture the true essence and shape of a person. In this blog, and in my life, I am that person.