Things That Make My Life Complete (Post 3) Life Modelling

I was in University when I first began life-modelling. At the time I was doing a Fine Art Degree and I needed to find a way to find some spare money to buy art materials like canvas's and paints, even just £20 a week would be a great help.
In the beginning I considered working in a Starbucks to earn spare money that way, or in a student bar.

Early term I had left a lecture and I saw a small poster placed outside the life room door "Fancy being a life model" On it was some info about what the University was looking for. The main person specification was to not be afraid being unclothed for extended periods of time. I ripped the poster off the door leaving the staples behind and went straight to the Coordinators office. I met a lovely woman who shook my hand. I told her I had no experience, I was young (18) and very honest. But I did explain that I felt I would be making more of a difference rather than working as a cafe assistant and still remain within the art sector that I was already working towards. She wrote my name down and added me to a list....

I thought nothing of it as a month went by.

My phone rang and I answered to a tutor who was running classes in the evenings as part of the open art school programme. I would be modelling in just 3 days. I weighed up my pros and cons. The money would be better than working at any coffee bar and I would be surrounded by like minded people. Perfect!

My first time, I brought my dressing gown. I was very nervous. After I heard the words echo "can we have the first pose please?" I had no other alternative other than to drop the gown to the ground and walk away from the intertwined threads which hid my modesty.

I stood, blood rushed to my head and then after a few minutes dissipated into confidence. I felt the cool air on my hot skin. I looked straight forward and out of the window. We were 5 floors up and the seagulls were circling.

10 minutes, I stood, still. Inhale, exhale.

From that first time it has been 10 years that I have been modelling. I now model for over 20 different tutors. Each class is different.
Some places are very warm, some are cold. Some have better perks like tea, coffee and biscuits. Some classes even allow me to be on the other side of the canvas so that I may draw.

I have had other occupations besides, but I never gave up being a life model. Not because of money, but because I made friends. Met people who I would never otherwise meet. Shared creative ideas but most of all I feel part of this art community. I would never get that with an office job or a standard 9-5.

My working hours are very erratic. Some days I work in the mornings. Others can be in the evening. For some classes I have to travel pretty far, others are down the road. I like the diversity of each class, not only in people but every drawing will always be different even if they are sketching the same pose.

Poses can range anything from 20 seconds to 5 hours. Sometimes the same pose lasts for days at a time.



Some people ask me what I am thinking when I pose. I think of things that I must do after my suspended time. What I will be drawing next. What I will be cooking next. Where will I go walking next. Sometimes I ponder what I would be doing if I did not do this. What would I be doing if I had not gone down the art route. I think of the many lives I could be having.

Some days I simply focus on how I feel that day. If I have had a bad week, I use the mental space and time that I have to find peace and focus upon the simplicity of that moment where I am standing on one leg holding onto a crutch with both arms extended feeling positive that I am not toppling over.

I have a few simple rules that I follow. I never look another artist in the eye. I look past their shoulder, their hand but never do I look at them directly. I feel that this can be deistracting both for them and myself.
I never fall asleep even in a lying down pose as that can cause moving....and drooling. Nobody wants to be drawing my morning face!
I never take photos of artist's work unless they permit me to and visa versa. They may need a photo so that they can finish the drawing or painting at home. I may want to takea photo of the work so that I can contact other tuturs for future classes.

Unlike photography modelling I guess there is no real retirement age. When I was in college I was drawinga model who was called "Naked Brian" by both lecturers and students. He was vegan, 75. Thin as a rake. Very tall and very wrinkly. But he was always really interesting to draw. I do not know when I will retire. There may be a day that I suddenly decided that's it, but for now it not only pays my art materials but my rent and food. I am not put off by showing extra flaps of skin or when the age begins to show in my face.

I have loved life modelling since the first moment, not because I am a naturist, or am overly flamboyant. I just like the peacefulness of being silent and in the moment. It makes a difference when the rest of your time is going a million miles an hour. I see each class as a couple of hours where I can just stop and mentally rest. Some people like yoga as it is good for both mind and body. Life modelling has became my yoga.
We as humans have become busier and busier. I think it was Ruby Wax who joked about how busy is the norm for most people in Western society. Where we ask "how are you?" we reply "oh, I am so busy" the other replies "I am so busy, I have had a triple by pass" "thats amazing! so glad you are doing so well"
In closing I want to say not everybody wants to me a life model, but everybody likes a moment of inner peace. I find inner peace in the simplicity of life modelling. Take a moment. Switch off your phone, tv, laptop. Stare out your window and listen for one minute. There, you have found a pause button. Enjoy.

p.s. All images taken have been taken with permission of all artists. Thank you very much to all of those who have been painting and drawing me all these years.