Nude Model Stands Up (and Sits, and Reclines) for His Trade

Three hours.

That's a long time. Do you have to build up a tolerance to get to that point?

I have a high threshold for pain, for one thing. I don't advocate that models do this. What I suggest for a long pose is break when you need to, but if you don't have to, don't. Recognize that the longer the pose, the greater the creativity instilled within the artist. My rule would be to stay for at least a half-hour.

Was the guild designed to be like a union?

That wasn't it at all. My assessment was that the situation had to change if the models were going to get some respect and the artists were going to get some good, professional models. And in my organizing background, it seemed easier to organize the models and do something to help them enhance their relationship with artists and provide the basis, once improvements were there, to go and talk to people about things like better pay.

You expect a sort of code of conduct from guild members. Would you kick people out if they didn't comply?

I have. It's like three strikes, you're out. I have deleted models [in the registry], and it'll say why. This is a lot of effort put forth. If people are going to go out there and break it, then they just shouldn't be modeling, period. All of the places charge a lot for what they do. And the figure is important, so the model is a real key element in what they're teaching. If the model doesn't show, you've got 30 people sitting there, and I don't care how good someone might be in poses or anything else, they're no good if they don't show up.

What are the models in the area like?

Models come from all over. One has a PhD and teaches at a major university. . . . Some of the more common things are actors, dancers, some seamstresses. One of the models now was an actor, and that wasn't doing enough for her, so she's a flight attendant. She schedules as she can. There have been teachers.

Teachers? For professionals in such capacities, do they ever try to be anonymous so friends and family don't know they're posing nude?

As I was taking information, [one person] said, "Don't use my name. I'll send you an e-mail about what to use." He's the same guy that ended up changing his first and last name. There are several models now who have either changed both names or one, or go by a nickname.

Can you talk about any particularly odd jobs?

There have been a few occasions when for one reason or another you get an applause, a thank you. I've had that experience a few times.

I also told two gals during a different class to shut up or I'd quit posing. This was out at George Mason. There were supposed to be three poses over three nights. It was a large class. I was in a particularly uncomfortable pose. So I'm sitting there, and I can hear these people yakking and yakking and yakking. So finally . . . I just told them to shut up. And one said, "You shouldn't treat me that way." I said, "You're acting like a child; I'll treat you like one. I'll leave if this keeps going on." It didn't.