Tag: figure model blog

Florence Hill Figure Drawing

December 25th, 2023

The California Building, in NE Minneapolis, hosts the studios of around 80 artists, one of whom, Florence Hill, has held a Sunday figure drawing session since the early 1970s (in various places before arriving at the California building), the longest continually running figure drawing group in the area. Florence, in her 90s, is small woman with a big heart and a big talent. I’ve posed there a number of times in the past year and a half, including last Sunday. My shyness tends to grow when I’m there, due to its size – I’ve seen more than 40 artists in attendance, and never fewer than around 25. As kind as everyone is, I get more nervous as the number of artists increases. But, surprise surprise, my nerves were calm on Sunday, despite a somewhat sore back and a medium-large group. I may be (finally) getting the hang of this.

Sessions at Florence’s start with five 2-minute poses, followed by three 5-minute, and three 10-minute poses. After a break there’s a 20-minute and a 25-minute pose, another break, and a final 20 and 25-minute pose. The room is big, with artists spread all over the room and the model stand in the middle. Here are a few drawings from Sunday’s session:

I always look forward to posing for Florence’s group and love the challenge of trying to create drawable shapes for a large diverse group without repeating poses from previous sessions. Here’s to you, Florence, and to all the wonderful artists who take the time to create there!

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Recent Drawing Sessions

December 11th, 2023

I recently posed at a place in Mound, MN. It was quite a drive from my home in Minneapolis, but I’d been recommended, which was flattering, plus I like a new challenge, so I accepted.

The space was cozy, and with only three friendly artists (and one dog), it was the smallest group I’d ever posed for. I had planned to start with some 2 or 3-minute poses but was asked to skip ahead to 5s. Those were followed by some 15s and then some longer poses. I rarely ask to photograph the drawings, but did this time, but only at the end, so I have only two photos of my last longish pose, this one drawn by the organizer, Joyce:

And this, drawn by another artist:

I also posed recently for a group of art professors from various local colleges. Another super friendly and talented group, with a really cool space in St Paul. Here are the few photos I took from that session:

One of the artists told me he’d been the most inspired by that session than he had been in a long while, which was super flattering, and another asked me to model for a weeklong session she’s holding in January. I had to decline – I have a day job – but would have loved to see the art that would come from a long, single pose. I’m hoping to model for her group in the spring when she starts Saturday sessions.

I’m posing again this Sunday (12-17-2023) for Florence Hill’s group, where I pose every few months. I’ll try to get up the courage to ask more artists if I can photograph what they draw. The weird thing is that I’m a shy person, which makes standing around naked an ironic thing to do (and which makes me nervous every time). Florence Hill’s group is a big change from all other groups I model for because of the number of artists: there are rarely fewer than 25, as opposed to a more typical 5-8. And I’ve seen over 40 at Florence’s group, which is a bit nerve wracking for a shy, non-nudist like me, despite the very friendly and professional atmosphere. But that’s part of the challenge!
Why I Figure Model

September 8th, 2023
Why stand naked in front of an artist, much less a roomful of artists sitting in a circle around your mini model-stand?

Charles West Cope – The Life Class

Why sit, stand, crouch, and hold twisty poses for artists? Short poses may last only a minute or two, but they are often strenuous, and longer poses may last 45 minutes – 45 minutes of stillness. And to make matters worse, other than during short breaks where a robe is worn, the model has nothing on. Why would anyone but a masochistic nudist do that?

Nine Reasons I Enjoy Figure Modeling

Here’s my non-nudist, non-masochist list of reasons why I enjoy figure modeling:
1. Fitness: Posing is hard, and it’s an impetus to stretch and to stay in better shape.
A fun pose to hold, but hard to hold long,

2. Stillness: Because long poses force me to be still, I’ve begun memorizing poems (like “Sea Fever,” by John Masefield) to help keep my mind occupied.

3. Quiet: I also use long poses to practice quieting my mind.

4. Art Appreciation: I see paintings and sculpture differently and more critically than I did before I modeled. I appreciate it more.

5. Body Appreciation: I’m lucky that I can hold dynamic poses. I relish that I am physically able to create art-worthy shapes with nothing but my (fifty-something) body.

6. Self-talk: I tend to imagine people thinking negative things about me. Being naked in front of 30 people is a perfect time to practice squashing negative self-talk and being more confident than I really am.

7. Creativity: I treat a modeling gig as a choreographed, stop-motion dance routine. I find images I love, in books, in museums and galleries, and online, and am inspired to create my own poses, where I’m frozen temporarily, like a living Rockwell Kent print.

Masthead, by Rockwell Kent

8. Attention: When I model, I’m the center of attention. It can be nerve wracking, but despite my shyness I kind of enjoy it.

9. People: When I model, I meet interesting, artistic, friendly people, all trying to create something beautiful or exciting or challenging during a few quiet hours.

Creativity, Peace, Art, People

During a recent long standing pose I stared out a window where I could see the tree line and darkening skies. I listened to a thunderstorm beginning outside, while inside all was quiet except for pencils scratching. I could do nothing with my body but pose, so I relaxed (as much as is possible when standing stock still) and felt my worries leave. That quiet time was a kind of forced meditation, the end of which promised wonderful art created by cool people.

In short, I pose for the creativity, the stillness, the people, the peace, and the art.

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