Figure Modeling 101

Last week, I had my first figure modeling gig at an art gallery, where they do Life Drawing classes.   There was only one student in the class, a man, but the curator also drew me.  It took place within the heart of the gallery—the windows were tinted and there were structures on which the art was hung, strategically-placed to create a little niche that was not visible to passersby.   The ceiling fans were on and it was airy inside...a very pleasant environment.   When it was time to start the class, I took off my robe (“...when her robe is unfurled, she will show you the world...”) and began posing. 

It was the most natural thing in the world for me. 

I felt no qualms, no strangeness, no shame whatsoever about being nude in front of strangers.    It was like I’d always done it, all my life.  I went into poses and held them for the two-minute, the five-minute and ten-minute stretches.   Then I did three twenty-minute poses.   I had no problems holding them for that long—it was like meditating.   It was like a frozen dance.   It was like acting with only my body.   Gestures can have just as much meaning as much as facial expressions and words do.   You get certain feelings from certain poses because we all know body language quite well.   Standing tall with arms held up suggests graceful and dignified, crouching can be taken as vulnerable or ashamed, controposto is funky and jaunty...In my mind, I was creating moods along with my poses.   Even my posing, my being a source of art to others, was art to me.   And it was exhilarating!!  

I’ve applied to other places to do more modeling now, too.   I want to do this while I grow Sparking The Muse.   My advantage?   Not a LOT of people are willing to take their clothes off in front of strangers, so there’s less competition for this kind of job.  Yay!!   Just have to gig a lot to meet expenses.    I’m also thinking of being a living statue at events, like Waterfire and things like that.   If I can do this, I can absolutely do that.   Again, not everyone can remain absolutely still and not break character...but I can.   Go where your strengths are.  And if you can get paid for it?   Oh, absolutely YES!!  

I owe a thank you to Amanda Palmer, for without her blogging about her former figure modeling and living statue experience, I probably wouldn’t have thought to do this, most likely.   I’d have applied for an office job.   Not that there’s anything wrong with an office job, but I’d rather make a living being and making art, if possible.   I am an artist.   There’s a place for art out here in New England—lots of opportunities.   So, thank you, Amanda, for being the Muse.   


To the renaissance of living art, kids!!