Artists always think about models and imagine the ways that they can pose, but, artists never imagine themselves posing for art.  The beauty is always on the outside, radiating outward form the life of the model as they stand in perfect placement, showing what pride, or rush, or attitude is.  And, as an artist, I imagine the light shining on these beautiful models, illuminating their strength.  I imagine them, dressed, to show the place, the time, the meaning of just standing.  I imagine them, unclothed, lying on a surface, reclining on cushions, or standing with a purpose in full nudity.  This is how artists work.  But, to ask the artist themselves to do what it is the imagination says is the way to do it, then, they become shy, and hesitate, and try to think of all the ways that this request does not make sense.  It truly is not a proposition that actually, truthfully, works.

Artists spend much more time seeing and working than in bathing in the beauty of lighting.  So, I was surprised by a request from a fellow artist to pose for one of his pieces.  True, he did ask it of me in good faith, as it was to be a silhouette shot and my actual bod would be as of a shadow.  Light coming full force from behind like this, is usually flattering on the body, even if it is rotund rather than lithe and lean and long.  So, if you have guessed already, yes, I did agree to do it.

So, now, the picture of me , posing as someone in full ecstasy at the sight in front of her, while she holds a camera, is something that exists.  I did not get a good look at the final product….  But I trust my artist friend will do a good job of making it representable.  I thank him, as we all have pride that easily bruises.

I spend a lot more of my time looking at how things are.  I wonder if the colour, or if the shape, or the height of a thing….  Perhaps if even the race of a human being, all make sense.  I wonder if there is meaning to be captured in skin colour, in hair colour, in costume, or even occupation.  I am comfortable here.  Mostly, like everyone else, I am never sure that I see the truth of it all, but I am curious enough to always ask the question, and to be daring enough to find the answer, with words….  Or with sight….  Or with models who can pose the meaning int the truth of their physical pose.

Right now, it might  as well be a doctoral thesis, but I am searching through paintings, and repainting the traditional European view and stance of the beautiful woman.  The idea of the strength  of a man, and even the crises of war, rape, and death.  Sometimes, I can do it….  I can accurately recreate another view, and sometimes, I have a cartoonish outscome to something that needs grandiosity rather than humour.  Overall, the work is slow, and at often times gratifying.  Mostly I consider this work, rather quite rightly described as “experimental.”  It never truly is ever all completely satisfying.

So, to my artist friend who took a picture of me, thank you….  You posed a very accurate question  in asking if I would pose.  Yes, in my mind, when I think, I would ask a model to do the same pose….  To capture what it is an artist looks like when they are in ecstasy looking at something beautiful.  Whether I am a model…  Well, let’s just say, in my own mind, yes, as my thoughts are the model of meaning for all my work.