What? NUDE?

Since the pandemic took away most performance opportunities for dancers and musicians I started looking for other opportunities to keep bringing in an income somewhat related to dance, as well as networking opportunities. As I said in my introductions I do work a lot with visual artists. Posing doesn't sound that dance related at first, but with the demand on body control and muscle memory required for standing still for 3 hours at a time, most live drawing schools have dancers on their books for anything "difficult".

Before I signed up there were so many questions that went through my head.

-will I be able to stand still for that long?
-will they judge my body?
-what will other people think?
-will I feel embarrassed?
-isnt this weird?

but driven by curiosity and a general interest for art I sent the application and received a booking very quickly since they had been let down by another model.

I didn't sleep very much the night before, partly because I was scared I wouldn't hear my alarm and partly because I was nervous.
I am definitely not someone that naturally feels comfortable about her body and every little bit of confidence that I gained over the years was hard work.
I even feel self conscious on the beach and never dared to wear a bikini with a thong bottom.

What it's really like

I arrived at about 9.45 at the atelier. Everyone in face masks and plexiglass in between all the drawing stations to help social distancing. Simon who leads this session was the most business like person I have ever experienced talking about posing nude explained everything to me and also kept the timer for my half hourly stretch breaks of 5 minutes.
Then I got changed walked onto my little podium with my robe on, took the robe off and then ..... NOTHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED! ... surprise surprise.
As soon as I was in pose everyone was silent and started drawing! And me the person that self sabotages every trip to the beach by hating my body, felt completely comfortable, naked with 15 people staring at me.

I absolutely love the drawings that were done of me. The pain, the pins and needles, the fear.... Unnecessary and totally worth it!

P.S. Apparently I am a very talented model because I am very still and I also have a very good jaw for portraits!