Life Modelling

Dear followers!

This section of my blog does contain nudity- if offended, please go no further!!

Last year (2008), I was given the opportunity to do some Life Modelling at my college. I had never even considered doing something like this, as I wasn't even that confident in my birthday suit, especially not to complete strangers, but when asked if I wanted to pose, something took over, and I ended up saying "yes".

I have decided to blog my experiences of life modelling, as it has given me so much confidence, in myself and thoughts of a possible future career.

I also want to 'spread the word' (so to speak) and dispel any myths that taking your clothes off for money (in an artistic sense) is 'wrong', or that the artist may be seeing the model as something desirable.

Aims and Objectives:

1. To gain confidence, both physically and mentally.

2. To gain contacts around the South West of other life modelling jobs.

3. To possibly gain a job where nude modelling is required.

I remember the first time I life modelled:

It was at my college in Devon, and I had to pose for young adults that were my age. Not only was this the first time I had ever posed naked in my life- for anyone except my partner-, but these were people were my age!! I was nervous to say the least. I remember having many cups of strong coffee and cigarettes before hand, but even that didn't do anything!

I turned up at the room and was so nervous I didn't even interact with the artist's. I stood in the middle of the room, and when the teacher told me too. . .. I dropped my gown.

I don't really know what I was expecting, for the artist's to turn away in horror? For them to start laughing? I'm not exactly a skinny person, let's say I have a few 'lumpy bumpy bits' (!), would they mind? Would they judge me because I don't look like a model?

I just started up at the ceiling and breathed deeply!

The first 10 minuets were a blur. I just kept thinking, "Oh my god, I'm naked, why am I doing this? What would my parents say? Why did I say yes?!"

But after that, I looked around the room in surprise. The artist's weren't judging me, they weren't laughing at all the things I thought were 'wrong' with my body, they were just drawing me.

They just saw me as me, a life model, in natural human form, a piece of art to draw and sculpt, paint and shade.

This is the day my confidence sky-rocketed.

From then on. . ..

After that day, my tutor gave me a number of a life modelling class in Newton Abbot, and again, I ended up saying yes to this as well. This was slightly different to the class at college. The artist's were much older, they had been doing life drawing for years and saw a new model as a great opportunity. Apparently, I was the youngest life model they had ever had.

I was introduced to professional artist's, who complimented me on my curves, who didn't look at me and say I was fat, but saw the extra 'lumpy bumpy bit's' as a gift for the artist.

And now. . ..

Today I regularly life model at many locations over the South West, and am always looking out for more! I don't feel nervous about taking off my clothes in front of anyone anymore (in an artist setting of course). I have been given drawings and paintings from many different artist over the months, and don't mind showing them to my family and friends.

The confidence I have gained from physically being happy and content with my body is something I wouldn't change for anything. I have also found a 'niche in the performance market', there are not many people that would happily take their clothes off, so I'm one step ahead!

My Art Gallery:

Below are some photos of drawings of myself life modelling. Every drawing, however it looks, I am pround of to see. It is very interesting how people see you, and then how they draw you.