Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Artist Eunbi

Artist Eunbi
The next feature from the 'Plethora of Pretty Portraits for Professor Susan Moore's Painting Class Fall 2012' Show is Eunbi.

I am showing two stages of Eunbi's portrait of me, the drawing and the painting. Yes, there is a difference. Artist Eunbi related the pain I was in during this pose. Even if I did not know I had been in pain, the painting related that.

I dislike breaking poses. Sometimes, when I chose a pose with the aim of being inspiring to the students there maybe a bit of pain involved. The students produced the stages of the paintings over six three hour classes.

I love both versions. The second painting there was also a major light increase. I will be showcasing her again for a different class, so keep an eye out.

 

I pose on purpose

When I chose a pose or poses, it is always with what the professor is telling the students they want to see.

For example, today in class, the point Professor Dona Nelson from Tyler School of Art wanted the students to focus on was relationships. She was not looking for a finished artwork as much as she was looking to see that the students were using relationships to make proper measurements.

I could have chose an easy square pose, because I get paid the same whether I do an easy pose or a difficult pose, but I never like choosing easy poses. Easy poses are as boring for me as they are the artist. There have been times I have taking poses that are down right painful, because of what I wanted to project. Not that any professor would ever have a problem with me changing, it is a personal choice. When I commit to a pose, it has to be very very very painful for me to break it. When I first started, I had a couple that I broke for that reason. It challenged me to get my stamina and strength up.

Back to the pose for the class, I chose my version of a parallelogram. It made my pose interesting and still gave the students makers to relate certain parts of my body to the other. For example, on my right side, I purposely rested my arm midway between my knee and hip but also placing it vertical to my heel.

I take my place in the class very seriously, because education is serious to me. It is important that I am aiding in inspiring the students to take what they are learning seriously in partnership with their professors.

Van Goghist Touch by Artist Blake

Blake is a student of Tyler School of Art and in Professor Susan Moore's Painting Class that created the show

Plethora of Pretty Portraits for Professor Susan Moore's Painting Class Fall 2012


I love when students are not afraid to take liberties. A portrait does not have to be like a photograph, in fact it is not. Blake's portrait inspired a special eye painting demo by Professor Susan Moore for the class. Blake's take on the portrait works and I love it. Blake put effort in trying to capture me from his view. He said I had a great expression, very nature, he just wanted to do it justice. I say he did. Once again, I love it.

Plethora of Pretty Portraits for Professor Susan Moore's Painting Class Fall 2012

Monday, October 28, 2013

Sunday, October 27, 2013

'Extraordinarily Unusual Figure'

Namaste

Today was my first time getting a chance to model for Pratt Institute. This was a complement, for those that are unsure. These were words use to discuss the work student were doing of me.

June 2011 photo shoot in Philadelphia, PA
 for Kim Mintzer Images 
It was a 3 hour class with a number of different types of poses. (I was very grateful, I was not in one pose today. I would have fallen asleep. I was out way to long the night before.) As the professor went on instructing the students how to approach drawing me, she said 'This is an extraordinarily unusual figure you have before you.'

Now I know show of you, because of where you are in your journey, would see that as a diss. It is not. Number One, most art models are not my size. Generally they are athlete and dancer types. So my presence is unusual to a class. Extraordinary, because it is out of the normal that they have to draw and it forces some of them to approach drawing or painting me using the skills that are not normally challenged by smaller models.

I am proud to be an 'Extraordinarily Unusual Figure'. You should be too.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Namaste

I have taking some time to think about what I want this blog to do before starting:

  1. Showcase the love of Fine Art that still exist;
  2. Share my ongoing growth as a woman;
  3. Share important information that may help and encourage others.
A little bit about me:

I started my journey as an Art Model in 2011. I was encouraged to pursue it via a fellow friend and artist, Kim Mintzer. I got my first assignment with The Philadelphia University of the Arts, thank you Lauren. My first time modeling was epic and was a quick learn. I loved it. It of course was not my best showing, but how many first are? I have since become a regular model for Tyler School of Art and SVA NYC. 

I love what I do. I think of the years I spent working to survive and maybe finding time to be happy, because that is what I was led to believe was best for me. NOT ANY MORE! There was a time when I only felt alive during certain times of the day, now my days and nights are full of Life. They are full of Life, because I am freeing myself more and more.

Now how does modeling fit into the above? It has added to my creativity freedom. Although, I am just a tool of inspiration...it is a stage for my own creativity. 

We will talk more about me later. I am very excited to show of the students, I feel are my students as much as they are their professor's students. I almost can not wait until tomorrow.