CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The title of this post maybe sounds a bit like a silly slogan, but no. Clothes are like collectors of anxiety, despite keeping us warm. I first saw Sophia years ago life modelling at a local art group. It was my first time ever, life drawing. I was actually a bit apprehensive. I couldn’t imagine anyone taking off their clothes for a bunch of strangers for two hours.

But when she dropped her robe I realised how powerful the situation was. Naked, she was vulnerable in one sense. But paradoxically, she had all the power in that room. The artists drawing her (about ten in total, perhaps six females) and myself, were merely the plebs, hiding behind our easels and behind our clothes. She was like Royalty. Essentially, a Goddess.

My first thoughts when she first struck a pose, were that I craved some of that experience. To see what it would be like. It was scarier than the thought of parashoot diving. But I was hooked. It was a number of years before I got the chance to model (at a Tafe College art course). Best thing I ever did, a whole semester Life Modelling. I needed that, as I had been homeless for 5 months from my house going through the 2013 flood. Lots of anxiety. Life Modelling lifted my spirits after the initial scare of disrobing. My worries left me for the whole day that I modelled (once a week for 6 weeks). My advice to anyone, male or female would be to give it a go. Forget climbing mountains, or jumping out of aeroplanes. Try Life Modelling!! (or do both :) 

Footnote: Sophia has for many years been a fantastic Life Model and Photographic Art model. And drawing her the first time, many years ago, changed my life for the better, in many ways. The above is one of my favourite shots I took of her. Magic.