Friday, November 19, 2004
Blood-free Nudity
I was reading Nikki’s blog and her posting on how exotic dancers deal with the impact of their menses on their job. Her post reminded of my days as a nude model. I wasn't given much control over my schedule, modeling for a beginner's drawing class. I happened to be on a monophasic birth control pill (just one color for most of the month instead of three different colored pills) and I would just keep taking it (onto the next pack) until I knew I'd be off for awhile. Though it kind of worried me to do that, as I wasn't sure if it would mess with my body or what, I later found out from my gynecologist that it's safe to take the pill continuously for up to three months straight without using the sugar pills and getting your period.
I really enjoyed being a nude model for the most part. The highlight for me was always at the end of each class, peaking in at each artist's creation. At the end of that semester, I was tickled to attend the art show, finding an entire wall of images of me. They were all done by different artists. And it was fascinating to see the various artists' rendition of my image. Some accentuated my hips, some gave me breast implants ;-). Some unfortunate folk had their easels clearly placed in a less-than-prime location. I felt kind of narcisistic to enjoy seeing myself recreated into art all over the walls. But at least I'm admitting it, right?
The following term, I modeled for a painting class. Unfortunately there was a very unprofessional artist in that group. Before each class, when I'd walk in, he'd start hollaring out, "Take it off!" And he somehow managed to fit conversations about vaginas into the entire duration of one or two classes. When I approached the professor to ask him to talk to the student about professionalism, the teacher instead fired me! I was furious. What shocked me even further was when that same teacher invited me back the following term. As if!
I haven't modeled since. I kind of miss it, though I'm happy to now spend more of my time on the other side of the easel.
I really enjoyed being a nude model for the most part. The highlight for me was always at the end of each class, peaking in at each artist's creation. At the end of that semester, I was tickled to attend the art show, finding an entire wall of images of me. They were all done by different artists. And it was fascinating to see the various artists' rendition of my image. Some accentuated my hips, some gave me breast implants ;-). Some unfortunate folk had their easels clearly placed in a less-than-prime location. I felt kind of narcisistic to enjoy seeing myself recreated into art all over the walls. But at least I'm admitting it, right?
The following term, I modeled for a painting class. Unfortunately there was a very unprofessional artist in that group. Before each class, when I'd walk in, he'd start hollaring out, "Take it off!" And he somehow managed to fit conversations about vaginas into the entire duration of one or two classes. When I approached the professor to ask him to talk to the student about professionalism, the teacher instead fired me! I was furious. What shocked me even further was when that same teacher invited me back the following term. As if!
I haven't modeled since. I kind of miss it, though I'm happy to now spend more of my time on the other side of the easel.
Comments:
My aunt, Sophie's mom (see my comment below), sent out Christmas cards last year with a sketch of a nude female model from a drawing class she had taken. She added some Christmas stickers. Sounds a bit like something I would make, right? :-)
Yeah, the teacher should have been repremanded. I can't belive that! And he asked you back!? What gall.
Post a Comment
