“They’re not judging you for your body shape. That is the furthest thing from their minds,” says long-time life model and founder of The Tipsy Sketching Club, Lauren Sutherland. Photo: Michael Billing.
“Dropping the robe for the first time is the hardest part.”
So says life modelling aficionado and creative entrepreneur Lauren Sutherland, who runs regular events inviting people to show up to crowded venues and stand around naked.
For most, this is the stuff nightmares are made of. But throughout Canberra, more than 60 models are available to do just that.
One must ask: Who are these people?
Lauren says some are simply comfortable with their bodies and looking to make a little extra cash. It’s a paid gig after all, with models earning about $50 per hour.
However – don’t all volunteer at once. Lauren says there’s a little more to the gig than “just rocking up and taking your kit off”.
Firstly, models choose their own poses and must hold them for long periods.
“Physically, it can be more demanding than we give credit for,” she said.
“It’s not natural for us as humans to be rigid in one pose for extended periods of time. You need to sit as still as possible, be conscious of how your body is positioned, think ‘Am I going to lose blood flow, or trap a nerve or something?’ and just be hyper-aware of what your body can and cannot do.”
Quite apart from the physical challenge, Lauren says the role requires a level of mental preparation for which some are not prepared.
“You might be sitting or standing still in a pose for 20 to 30 minutes and that can actually be quite confronting for people – just to sit with their own thoughts for that long – so having some kind of mindfulness process can be quite helpful.”
Some models have come from behind the pencil to experience the other side of life drawing. Photo: Michael Billing.
In addition to professional posers, people are often drawn to life modelling on a mission to grow more comfortable with their body.
“I find – especially with women – it’s a real empowerment and confidence-building process,” she said.
This was Lauren’s motivating force when she first “dropped the robe” more than 10 years ago.
“It was a step I was taking in my own body acceptance and confidence journey. I’d done some work on myself to the point where I was comfortable nude, and I thought ‘How could I capitalise on this?’”
“There’s something really special about seeing art made of yourself.” she said.
“For me, it’s created a big mindset change. The more art I see of myself, the more amazed and thankful I am for my body, however it is that day.”
With a background in pole dancing and performance, first-timer Katy already felt comfortable in her skin – and out of clothes.
However, she found a very different crowd upon arriving at her first life modelling session.
“It wasn’t just women who were used to dancing and not wearing much and being quite comfortable. It was a whole other crowd of people. Artists, students, first-time drawers, older men, younger women – all sorts of people. That was a really scary thing.”
Derobing for the first time, she worried about their reaction.
Upon unveiling, Katy said: “There was nothing.”
Getting straight into a position, Katy also had reservations about whether she was hitting poses suitable for drawing.
“I didn’t know if people would be able to draw them well, or if the proportions would be right for what they wanted,” she said.
“But that fear was lifted as soon as the first sketch was done.”
At the end of the session, models and artists were free to mingle. As sketches were shared, Katy said seeing everyone’s creations was “the best feeling in the world”.
“Once you realise they’re there to celebrate the beauty of the human form with you, not pick you apart – it just puts you on a whole new level.
“It definitely leveled up my confidence again – which was already fairly solid from dancing – but walking into a room full of people you don’t know, for the first time, who are going to focus on your body and really look at you for extended periods – it’s a whole other realm.”
Original Article published by Hayley Nicholls on Region Canberra.
