Woundings and their effects

So this has been a tough year for the klutz that I am.  Earlier this year, during a bathroom remodel that I was doing ( yes, I tend to do the remodeling myself,I enjoy it) I stumbled and tripped over a garbage can that was out of place ( more like stumbled , tripped and got tangled in the garbage can) Causing a broken big toe. I still managed to do my art modeling, with the aid of a stick for long standing poses....which I recommend anyway) But I missed out on one casting call, and wasn't at my best at another...I had to put off shoots, because I couldn't wear heels, and my workout schedule got totally out of whack.  I have healed from that, and had been on a normal workout schedule for all of 3 weeks.
But two weeks ago, I was cleaning the house, and dusting my Bat'Leth ( yes, I OWN a Klingon sword, and several other geeky ones as well, like Ramirez's from Highlander and New Moon from ElfQuest ) It fell off the nails it was hung on ( THAT has been remedied, It is now securely on the wall with actual sword hangers)   But I couldn't get away fast enough...It cut me, it cut me bad.  My left index finger got 13 stitches, the middle had 1. It missed tendons, but did cut through nerves.  So I am in an immobilizer for another 4 weeks, to give the nerves a chance to grow back.
So where does that leave me?
Missing out on a planned Underwater shoot, because it can't be soaked or take the pressure and movement of swimming.
Not getting hired for much, because...well my hand. ( even though I can still do head shots...and have FABULOUS ideas for them) as well as having ideas involving lots of feathers to camouflage. ( Oh, it is an EPIC idea!)  
I am still doing art modeling, there are some poses I can't do, but for the most part, that is fine.
My workout schedule is again messed up.  Though I have full use of my right hand, I can't just work out one side, that will be awful...so I will concentrate on abs and lower body.

On the up side, it could have been MUCH, MUCH worse, had I tried to catch it, or been slower getting away.  I could have easily lost a finger, it could have hit the top of my hand, severing all those tendons.  I could have bled on the white carpet. ;)

None of those things happened. True, Todd was in LA, but he pulled strings and rushed home early, so that he was there when I woke up from surgery. I have a great kid, who hung with me almost the whole time- and wouldn't let me go to the ER alone. I have wonderful neighbors who came to get the kid and take her home for some rest, when I was admitted. I have great in-laws, who came and sat with me , took the kid to eat and hung out until I went into surgery. I have friends who kept tabs on me,and checked up often,so I knew I was not alone. I am blessed, truly, and I am aware and grateful for it.

So here is to blessings, and here also to NO MORE WOUNDINGS!

Dressing up and not

                                Photo by Wolfshead Photography


I admit, part of what I love about modeling is dressing up,and  playing characters for an afternoon, ( or morning) I get to be soft, or sultry, or my own nerdy self.  I get to be a badass, or a space alien, or wrapped in saran.... it is only limited by my ( and my photographers) creativity and the money I/ we want to spend.

I recently did a tattoo focused shoot,and for the first time I did a total  implied.( which for those that don't know that term, it simply means implied nudity.  Nothing is showing in the image...weather it be through draping or posing or sometimes shadows or props... but the model, behind that, is nude.)  The images are FB friendly, and again,show nothing, but the implication, of course....

So anyway, these really were the first total implied I have done ( I have done partials before) And though I am a little nervous about how they well turn out, I also know it is pretty much the best way to actually show all my front tattoo.

It isn't that nudity bothers me...it doesn't.  I model nude for art classes and clubs all the time.  For me there are two factors 1. nude, once it's on the Internet it is there forever...and 2. I must feel comfortable and dare I say feel the correct respect and vibes from the photographer.  Some I get that from, some I don't get that from...I suppose the other factor as petty as it sounds, is I won't  do it for free ( there are always some exceptions to that rule- life is like that...but the respect and vibe...that is non negotiable. )

So , there is nothing wrong with nudes...but make sure you are respected, feel safe and are not/ have not been pressured into it... and you know what? Don't give it away for free, you are worth more than that. ( and payment can be images that YOU KNOW will be works of art, it can be money, it can be something else you are bartering for... preferably it is for money AND art,) but don't do it for just anyone, and anytime....Am I making sense?

Gifts

By Gaylord Walter

I know, again, I apologise for not posting more often, and my excuse is the same.  I have not been shooting very much, but have been working mostly as an art model for the last couple months or so.  
Art modeling for me is much more consistent with bookings and pay than the print, or even promo modeling is, and I always love seeing how different artists will interpret the same pose, the same person, and in the classes even the same instructions....but they all come up with such different pieces.  And though I have seen all these lovely pieces, I very rarely actually get any.  ( a couple sketches here and there) And none ever finished.

This is a finished piece that a lovely gentleman by the name of Gaylord Walters brought in for me.  He is older, with a wry sense of humor, and he is a regular at a couple different drawing clubs that I model for. He brought this in for me, on a board, wrapped in plastic and very neatly wrapped in paper...When I thanked him sincerely for it, he said "you haven't even seen it yet"  I said I don't have to, because just the thought that he brought it in to give to me, I was floored by.

For me, when someone gifts you with something they have made, a piece of art from them, that is the type of gift that should be honored, and cherished, and trust me, I do.

 

Not much

By Tracey Padron 

Sorry I haven't posted in a bit, but the modeling has been in a bit of a lull...both in art and in photography.  It will pick up again very shortly ( and has started all ready)

Shoots coming up are a death metal corps makeup/ glamour shoot with Absinthe photography ( I LOVE mixing things up and playing with concepts like this) , a shoot for a calender ( 2 of them actually- super hero and Gothic)

Stuff in the works...Phoenix tattoo with Ms Gingersnap and Michael Barton Art, Yoga ( not fitness, more art with deep shadows and lighting)

Ideas I have floating around include peacock and urban primitive....

The art modeling will REALLY pick up in August, when I am pulling quite a few double shifts, and working 4 or so weekdays.

Wine promo hopefully is ALSO picking up.

So, as with many things, it is merely the calm before the storm....and I will have lots to share when it hits!  

Need

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

What do I need,you may ask?  I NEED more paying gigs.  I am doing my best to get "out there" but I need to work.  Lets be honest, the recession hit EVERYBODY hard... no question. And me,well I was one of the 99rs.... yup,one of the ones that lost a job ( Kitchen and Bathroom/ Interior design, if you are interested) because the small company I worked for, couldn't afford me full time....then they couldn't afford me part time,then they couldn't afford me at all,before going out of business totally.  So I applied for other design jobs ( few and far between) I applied for retail jobs, admin jobs,fast food jobs.  I sent out applications every single day. In that 99 weeks of unemployment I got exactly 5 interviews.  Sad huh? But certainly not unusual.  I did manage to get a very part time job with a friend that is a chiropractor. ( 4-10 hours a week) And I still work every once in a while for him, when he needs me.  I used up all my unemployment insurance, and racked up more bills than I like to think about....and now that I am working MORE steadily,I am doing my darndest to get them paid down ( hard slog, that...missing out on lots of stuff I would LOVE to do,places I would LOVE to go...but that is life)

So now, I am working regularly as an art model, traveling all over the Chicagoland area,and totally enjoying it.  But lets face it... I need more.more art gigs,more photography gigs...a girl has gotta pay the bills,you know ?

I know that I do not fit the shape, the age, the look of what everyone needs / wants. I TOTALLY get that.  But for anyone looking for a mature ( emotionally as well) tattooed( they don't HAVE to show, depending on wardrobe) easy going, hard working, consistent model that can  hold a pose, do my own hair and makeup when needed  and won't give you the diva attitude, ( always willing to listen and work with you) I am the one you want ... contact me! Don't wait!  ( shameless self promotion? Absolutely...somebody has to! LOL)

Artists

By Tracey Padron EFT Studios

Since most of my money from modeling that comes in ( and my most consistent gigs) comes from Art modeling, just thought I would talk a little about that.

I have met many amazing artists, and recommend you go check out their work., I will try to supply links.

   The above piece was done by Tracey Padron at the Division Street Drawing Guild ( they meet every Thursday in Elgin)  I always love her use of shadows and high lights  , as well as her classical leanings.She is such a vivid, energetic,passionate person.  Her intensity while working always astounds me.

By JacQueline Zemke  

  JacQueline, seems always to be trying something new, and she tends to gravitate toward a wonderful use of color . I get to see her at the Dole Mansion Drawing group in Crystal Lake as well as The Division Street Drawing Guild. She is colorful in real life, not just in her work...it shines from her.

By Piotr Antonow 

And speaking of color, I met Piotr at one of the painting drawing workshops given by the amazing Evanston  Art Center,   All of his portraits are so very vivid. He has a sly sense of humor, and is really fun to work with.

By Chuck Kulma

Chuck is another I met at the Division Street drawing Guild in Elgin.  He does wonderful ,flowing watercolors. Chuck is great guy , mellow, funny  and I always find his work graceful.  


  There are SO very  many more artists that I have met in the 2 or so years I have been doing this ( but I don't have pictures/ examples of all of their works... which makes me sad, I need to be better about getting shots of things- if anybody ( hint, hint) wants to send me shots of finished pieces, I would love to do another version of this post...or make this type of post more regularly to share your art ) All of the people I have had the honor to work with are great people, and always make my work hours go so quickly. Humor,and kindness abound. Sculptors, painters, those working in pencil, pens, pastels. The teachers of workshops and classes, the students and artists.  I truly enjoy my time modeling for them.  It always fascinates me how many versions there are of the same pose , and the same person.It goes beyond just different angles and into truly different styles and approaches to the art itself.  It is truly beautiful to watch.

Comfort

Photo by:Michael Barton Art

I am comfortable in my own skin ( no,I was not always) And most of my income from modeling comes from Art Modeling, that is to say ,modeling for painters, sculptors,those that work in graphite, charcoal,pastel and ink.  Most of the time fully nude. ( occasionally in costume) I work at art schools, clubs and for individual artists. I very, very , very rarely do nudes for photographers.

Why?
Well, for me, there has to be a REASON for nude. For example an artist working on how the body moves and works,needs to see the body actually doing it...so, that makes sense, does it not?
People ask "HOW do you DO that?" One key thing is that the artists typically are breaking you down...into proportion, line, shape,shadow.... you really are not being looked at as a body, hardly at all.  Go ahead, watch an artists face while working ,there is a focus, and intent there,that is wonderful to see,and you can see in their eyes, that you could be an apple, or fruit basket sitting there. And that is exactly as it should be.

For photography, There is a different vibe between the photographer and model. There is more interaction,typically. Though photographers also break things down to composition,shadow and light, in my experience there is still an awareness of you as a body.

What have been compelling reasons for doing nudes in the past?

One was for Gracie Hagen's Illusions of the Body series.  For me ,it made a real statement,that I agreed with.  That the way a person holds themselves can make them beautiful, and the perception of beauty perhaps plays too much upon that. So I was happy to contribute images for her upcoming book.

I will be doing a Yoga based shoot soon as well.  One,because Yoga poses are inherently beautiful,and with the addition of shadows  , will be playing off the lines and angles that the body makes. The human body is a beautiful thing It is art,it is beauty, and making it move though yoga or dance is beautiful to capture.

I do, obviously have to trust the photographer as well.  The first time I shoot with someone, probably is not the time to bring it up to me.  It is certainly not the time to bring it up if I am not getting paid for the shoot. If you just want me to stand there,and be naked....that is not a compelling reason for me.  It's just not.  And won't happen.   I am not looking to do Playboy type shoots ( nothing wrong with them,just not me) I am not looking to bare it all,just to do it....I am not looking to prove that I am comfortable,I am not looking to prove that I am desirable. I am just looking to make beautiful images.  Images in different genres, images that call up different emotions.   I am looking to make art.... and if that seems a lofty goal , maybe it is.  Sometimes I will hit the mark, sometimes I won't , but the striving to the goal, is just as important as getting there.
     

So you want to be an art model....

                                         Art By: Tracey Padron


I have been  regularly art modeling ( in addition to photography) since November of 2012. I  usually work between 2 and 6 sessions a week ( all over the Chicago area...from Park Forest to Greyslake, from Evanston to Gilberts, and all places in between) So that is one of the keys to making a living at it...the ability and the willingness to travel...in all weather.  To be working regularly, you need to be on the books at as many different places as possible. Because most of them only book you for one class ( though there are some that book in 3 class blocks...and I recently booked one that will go for a 6 class block)

Though not all Life Drawing/art Modeling is nude,much of it is.  I have photographers ask how I can do art modeling, but don't do photography nudes ( except on VERY rare occasions,and specific trusted photographers) Let me tell you, the vibe, the feel, is a very,very different thing.  Sitting for a class or a group, and being drawn is totally different  than one on one with a photographer.  Most of the time, for the classes I might as well be a basket of apples sitting there...I can see it in their eyes...they are breaking me down to shadow,line, shapes, flow...sometimes color. The are measuring me with their pencil( or yes sometimes with their thumb) They are not seeing ME, really at all.

I love working with artists in any medium .  The painters, the sculptors, those that work in pastel, graphite, charcoal, watercolors, ink.  So many mediums,and so many interpretations of the same pose,the same person. It really fascinates me.

So how does one do this, and be good at it ( so as to be booked more than once) ?

The aforementioned ability to travel.  The ability to show up and be on time. ( and if something happens beyond your control,the ability to call and let them know what is going on) Obviously being ok with being nude,and sometime an instructor pointing things out on your body to help the students...not touching you, but typically using a ruler or straight object .  Not all instructors will do this but some do...be prepared.

The ability to BE STILL. No matter if you are getting a cramp, or your nose itches....don't move. Sometimes for 25 minutes ( and I have done poses as long as an hour...though those typically are reclining)
The ability to get back into the same  pose after a break without much input. ( there will generally be some,but you want to be able to come very close just using the tape marks)

The ability to come up with attractive, unusual and interesting poses and the stamina ( and self knowledge ) to hold them.

I work out almost every day...but I will never have the stamina/ balance  for holding poses that another local model, J, has. He is a personal trainer and yoga instructor....So can balance on one foot for 15 min at a time with no wobble...he can hold poses I can't....and that is ok.  You have to know what YOUR body does,and does well.  I do twisted, curled, angular, emotional poses...that's what I do, and I work on doing them the best that I can, and am always trying to think of new ones.

A typical class is about 2 1/2 to 3 hours, and you will work in sections of 20-40 minutes then break.  What happens in those 25 -40 minutes varies wildly between instructors... . Sometimes you will start with some 1 minute poses ( allowing you to do more strenuous things) and gradually work into 5 minute 10 minute, up to 20 minute  or longer poses. Sometimes you will do 10 minutes of 10 second poses ( and trust me, near the end of that 10 minutes you are frantically thinking of what to do next...and "did I do this one before?") Sometimes you will be doing just one pose for the entire session  ( typical for painting and sculpture) Be open to the different ways of doing things.

What else do you need to know.... don't be a diva. Some classes are chatty, some are not, some play music, some do not, some chew gum and / or snack while working, some do not.  Be open and accepting of whatever the class dynamic is. I have heard absolute nightmares of models...( and from models as well) give respect, expect to be respected. If you are not giving respect you won't be called back, if you are not being respected...don't go back, even if they offer.  You should always have somewhere out of the way to change, you should have a heater in the winter ( especially if nude) you should get breaks, you should not be touched without permission, you should not have a photo taken without permission. ( and if you aren't comfortable with that, you have the right to say no)

You should always have a robe and slippers for breaks ( the floors of most studios are not clean places...so unless you want the bottoms of your feet black...bring slippers) I also typically will bring a white sheet for a drape ( how many other naked behinds have been on that chair, pillow..etc?) Sometimes I will also bring a big exercise ball, sheer fabric, a big beanbag....different props to work with.  It keeps things interesting, especially if you have modeled with the group before.

Art modeling , for me ,is always interesting,and mostly fun....I enjoy meeting the students, the teachers, the coordinators, and seeing what they come up with.  So many different visions...each one unique. Don't treat it as a joke, don't treat it as an alternative until something else you would rather do comes along...if you book, show up.  And when I say show up...don't sleep walk through it....give your best for the artists sake.