When I was 18 and first took off all my clothes and posed in front of a full class of students at my college I was nervous and shy. I only did it because I was paying my own way through school and it was a better paying job than anything else I could find. I ended up loving it and even though I have a different career I have continued doing it. I am now 47.
I do enjoy being nude so that plays into my decision to continue nude modeling. However, my passion is being a part of the artistic process. I try hard to put my body into poses that artists will find both interesting and challenging. Sometimes that desire puts some stress and strain on my body that lingers, but it is worth it.
I have posed for all levels of artists. It's fun to see how beginning students react when they see me nude on the model stand the first time. In some cases I have been the first nude body other than their own they have seen. I have often been the first nude male some young female students have seen. When a first timer has to closely study my body and try to capture a likeness they are often nervous. Even though I am there specifically for them to study, it's like they don't want me to know they are staring at me. I think it's funny when they re too embarrassed to draw my penis so I look like a Ken doll.
Sometimes after posing 2-3 hours for a beginning class I have wondered why I bothered because none of the art looks anything like me. But it's rewarding to see a student's growth during the weeks of the class.
My preference is to pose for accomplished artists. When I pose for a single artist it's kind of like I am an actor and they are my director. We often talk during the session and some artists become good friends. I really enjoy posing for advanced classes. I sometimes get minor direction from the instructor, but as long as I provide a variety of good poses I am generally on my own to decide what to do. I like being on the model stand in the middle of a large space, with artists surrounding me. Then I know I have to come up with poses that provide every artist with a view they can work with. It's also fun during my breaks to wonder around and see their work, knowing it's a collaboration between us.
For those of you with a desire to try this, ask yourself if it's truly about the art or if you are just wanting to do it because you are an exhibitionist. Being a life model for artists really is hard work if you do it well. Try standing in front of a mirror and hold a pose for 20-30 minutes without moving. Even if you can do it, many of you would be bored by it. I use the time to think about many other things and the time goes quickly.
I do enjoy being nude so that plays into my decision to continue nude modeling. However, my passion is being a part of the artistic process. I try hard to put my body into poses that artists will find both interesting and challenging. Sometimes that desire puts some stress and strain on my body that lingers, but it is worth it.
I have posed for all levels of artists. It's fun to see how beginning students react when they see me nude on the model stand the first time. In some cases I have been the first nude body other than their own they have seen. I have often been the first nude male some young female students have seen. When a first timer has to closely study my body and try to capture a likeness they are often nervous. Even though I am there specifically for them to study, it's like they don't want me to know they are staring at me. I think it's funny when they re too embarrassed to draw my penis so I look like a Ken doll.
Sometimes after posing 2-3 hours for a beginning class I have wondered why I bothered because none of the art looks anything like me. But it's rewarding to see a student's growth during the weeks of the class.
My preference is to pose for accomplished artists. When I pose for a single artist it's kind of like I am an actor and they are my director. We often talk during the session and some artists become good friends. I really enjoy posing for advanced classes. I sometimes get minor direction from the instructor, but as long as I provide a variety of good poses I am generally on my own to decide what to do. I like being on the model stand in the middle of a large space, with artists surrounding me. Then I know I have to come up with poses that provide every artist with a view they can work with. It's also fun during my breaks to wonder around and see their work, knowing it's a collaboration between us.
For those of you with a desire to try this, ask yourself if it's truly about the art or if you are just wanting to do it because you are an exhibitionist. Being a life model for artists really is hard work if you do it well. Try standing in front of a mirror and hold a pose for 20-30 minutes without moving. Even if you can do it, many of you would be bored by it. I use the time to think about many other things and the time goes quickly.