My work philosophy, capabilities, and expectations
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I consider myself a professional. I conduct myself like one and I expect to be treated like one.
I am an independent contractor who provides modeling services to artists and art instructors. I am not an employee of the instructor.
I will always show up for scheduled sessions and I will be on time. I normally arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled start of a session. If I will be delayed beyond that time (which would only happen because of circumstances beyond my control), I will let you know as soon as I can.
My major characteristics as a model include:
- I am an older female model, of which there are not very many.
- My basic bone structure is a pronounced female one, with a small rib cage and wide hips. This means I have a very definite waistline. I am a good example for demonstrating the differences between male and female bone structure.
- My body has many interesting shapes in it, with lots of curves and contrasts.
- My face is interesting although not extremely expressive.
- My poses are expressive but subtle. I do not do extreme poses, except for short gestures.
- Standing poses: Excluding warm-up gesture poses (poses of 5 minutes or less duration), I limit myself to a total of an hour and a half (90 minutes) of standing poses, in a three-hour session. These can be broken up into several shorter standing poses, or can be one long one, with one or two breaks. For standing poses of longer than 20 minutes, I need some sort of horizontal support, such as a podium or the (padded) crossbar of an easel, about 39 inches above foot level. (A wall or sturdy post that I can lean against can sometimes work.)
I will always do my best to accommodate requests for specific poses, but will not push myself beyond my limits.
When working for art classes, I work with instructors and for students. I do not take orders from instructors. (I am happy, however, to take requests, and to negotiate to reach a mutual agreement on a pose.)
My expectations from artists I work with include:
- I expect to be informed, when the session is scheduled, what type of modeling is to be performed: nude, clothed or portrait. I also appreciate knowing whether any anatomy lecture is to be included.
- I expect the modeling stand or area to be reasonably clean. I will not pose on a stand coated with charcoal or clay dust or covered with debris. If the stand is not clean, either I need be provided with a clean cover for it, or I will spend time cleaning it before the session begins. (I usually bring a clean sheet with me, in case none is available and I don't have time to clean off the stand.) Props such as chairs, stools or cushions also need to be either clean or covered.
- I expect a comfortable temperature in which to work, as well as to disrobe and to get dressed at the end of the session. If I need a heater, I usually prefer that it not be removed or disconnected until after I have finished dressing.
- I expect to be greeted shortly after I arrive at the studio.
- I expect to be informed, before the session starts, of the basic schedule of the session and what types and lengths of poses are desired from me.
- If I am modeling for a class, I expect the instructor (and students, if the instructor desires) to negotiate with me about desired poses, rather than having the instructor simply announce to the class what I will be doing, without consulting with me first. Few things are as demeaning to a model as hearing people discuss what they plan to do with the model's body, with no input from the model.
- I expect to be informed, before the session starts, when breaks are scheduled. If the break schedule is not sufficient for me, I reserve the right to modify it to one that is. I do not want announcements to be made to the class about when my breaks are to be scheduled until after I have been consulted and have agreed to the schedule. (I generally like to pose for about an hour and a half before my first break, then about an hour before my second one. I prefer to spend my time in the studio working rather than on break.)
- I reserve the right to modify any requested pose to adapt it to my own capabilities.
- I expect to be asked permission before being touched, and reserve the right to refuse such permission.
- The interior of the studio where I am posing nude is not to be visible to outsiders, including when the door is opened.
- I do not want non-artist visitors (including children) in the studio while I am posing nude. I define an artist as someone who has experience working with nude models. An exception can be made for maintenance personnel if their presence is brief and if they are accustomed to working in art studios where nude models are posing.
- I expect to be treated respectfully by everyone in the studio. I will not be subjected to crude remarks, gestures or facial expressions. Instructors are responsible for student conduct, and should set a good example for students.
- I prefer, during the entire time that I am in the studio, that the model stand or area be respected as my personal space, even during breaks, when I may not be on the stand. I do not want the stand used for student seating, or for holding food or drinks or art materials.
If an instructor needs to use the model stand during a lecture period (which could include the uses mentioned above), I would like, as a courtesy, to be asked permission for such use, although I will readily grant it. I do expect that the stand will be cleaned, if necessary, after such use.
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