Me At Work...

Marc Chatov Workshop

Marc Chatov Workshop

Me at work.  I love it.

What I Love to Do...

This is what I love to do.  The past 5 weeks I've been posing for a artists  workshop in Atlanta run by a renowned artist named Marc Chatov.  I'm working hard but having a blast.  I wish it would last longer.  Great artists and the pay is not too bad.  Hopefully it will open up other opportunities in the future.

Working with quality artists...

It's such a pleasure to be able to work with quality photographers.  I got to do a shoot with Elizabeth Osterberger of Lizard Eye Photo in Savannah and was very pleased with the outcome.  Here's one of the images.

I still love doing this...

Another project pose.  I also had a posing session with the Atlanta Artists Center in Buckhead.  I love doing that.  Got great compliments of my posing, personality, costume choice (Billy Boy Bill from "Urinetown").  I even had one of the artists ask for my business card to pass around to other artists groups in the area.  It all may be coming together.

Posed last night...

Posed for a local art group, Fine Arts of Middle Georgia, last night.  The group was interesting.  Not the usual group that I'm used to, just a bit less sophisticated than my sessions in the past.  It wasn't a paying gig but I figure I could as much experience as I can get right now.  I did get the  sketch shown above.  Face is a bit too long, nose a bit too thin.  But other than that is was a nice sketch.

Goals for 2012...

List of goals for the upcoming New Year.

1.  Lose 30 lbs.  I lost 30 in 2011 and need to lose 30 more and to tone up.  If I want to be taken serious as a model I think I need to take better care of myself.

2.  Continue to gain experience as an life art model.  I've decided to take all opportunities that are offered, whether paying or non.  My first session is a draped, portrait session on the 9th of Jan.  I prefer paid and undraped but it is more experience.

3.  Get at least 4 photo sessions for the year.  I have one already lined up on 21 Apr.  It is with a professional photographer and will be a time-for-print shoot.  It will cost me a bit of funds since it is in Richmond and I'm in Macon.  But I've never been to Richmond and my wife and I will make a weekend of it.  I'm excited.

4. Finish my Masters.  I have 3 more classes to take, two for Spring Semester and one for Summer Semester.  I'll be educated.

5.  Continue my theater work.  My plan is to audition for the female version of the Odd Couple as one of the Constanzuela brothers.  I'm a favorite for the part so I should get cast.  Next year's schedule will be out later in the spring so I'll map out next season when it's posted.

Grocery Store Feet...

One of the hazards of posing.  This is what my wife calls grocery store feet.  The class professor noticed the soles of my feet while I was getting ready for a pose and commented on them with a laugh.  I do wear shower shoes walking around the studio but just the bit of contact while getting into and out of a pose does this.  My wife got a kick out of this picture too.

Last session at Wesleyan....

I did my final posing for the Wesleyan College art class.  And finally, I got a chance to take some photos of the students work.  It was a great job although the pay wasn't much,  $15 per hour.  But I got some good experience and a few new sketches for my portfolio.  I hope it leads to more.  I love this work.

Second Sitting at Wesleyan...

Yesterday was my second sitting for the Wesleyan College figure drawing class.  It was  a more comfortable experience than the first session.  I think the young students felt a little more comfortable with me posing.  Their art work seemed to flow  freer along with their chatter.

I still find it very interesting to see my image in charcoal on an artists page and how each artist has a different vision of me.  I still didn't get any photos of some of the fine work done by the students, I forgot my camera, and I'm pretty disappointed that I didn't get anything to post. But I have one more session in two weeks and I'm sure I'll get them then.

Mad at the printer...

I'm trying to build a nice, printed portfolio of my art and photography posing and purchased a Canon iP4820 to do some basic photo printing.  So far I'm not very pleased.  All my black and whites come out in sepia tones.  I want grays and blacks not browns and amber.  GRRRRRR...  If someone knows what might be the issue please let me know.  It would make me happy.

Marketing pays off...

Two local galleries were having shows of local talent and I was able to get some marketing done.  The first I hit was Arts and the Avenue.  It was my first time at this gallery and I spoke with the owner for quite some time about my modeling.  She didn't appear overly enthusiastic about upcoming possibilities but she agreed to take some of my business cards to pass on to some local artists.  I dropped them off this morning with a copy of my resume.

The second gallery, Middle Georgia Arts Association, was where I posed earlier this year.  I met with Mae, association president, and Glenda, board of directors, and our re-meet was very pleasant and enthusiastic.  Glenda's painting is above.  Glenda was very positive and said they would use me in the new year once they get their schedule up.  Also she passed my name to an Atlanta artist who does figure work and was very supportive.  Things may begin to look up.

It's Not Easy.....

Two things, not easy, I have discovered in my short endeavor as an art model are 1.  posing is quite  difficult to do and 2.  getting posing jobs in a small town environment is a challenge.  Luckily Wesleyan College is just down the road and I've got a job there three weeks straight Oct-Nov and Atlanta is just up the road.  The Atlanta Artists Center has given me some costumed opportunities throughout the past year and I have a session scheduled in Dec.  And there's a chance I'll get a figure drawing job this winter/spring at AAC also.  Things may be picking up.

Razor Burn....

Razor burn...or rather wax burn.  My wife knew I was in for a treat when I told her i wanted to try a male Brazilian wax, or Brozilian as some say.  I had been shaving the undercarriage for quite a while to keep the area nice and trim.  I felt more comfortable with the neatness during posing sessions.  And I found it helps with hygiene issues after workouts.  I never shaved completely for fear of nasty razor burns and bumps.

I went to my first waxing and after being warned of unbearable pain and watching the 40 Year Old Virgin I was very anxious.  I was surprised.  It wasn't bad - other than being exposed in precarious positions by a stranger for about one hour.  I experienced no soreness or redness immediately after and thought I had clear sailing.  On about the fifth day, however, tender bumps and red spots have appeared.  And they are a bit itchy.  Hope they clar up before my next art class posing in two weeks.  Any help on how to deal with this little problem will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.