These are certainly strange times, and I am glad, Sharon, that you are taking wise precautions to stay safe.

As I mentioned before, I am continuing to be naked during my self isolation. I quite like it really! Brian has set up one of his cellars here in Llandeilo as a kind of modelling studio, and this enables me to spend about three or four hours a day modelling for my favourite North West artists, Bill Garland and Albert Lee, courtesy of Zoom. I am a "muse" for both of them, and they are glad of the opportunity to sketch me. They say that the two dimensional view they get of my body is not as good as the real thing as it does not do justice to my roundness, but at least it is better than nothing.

I am also naked because Brian is preparing me, physically and psychologically, for my crucifixion on Good Friday, which gets ever closer! Not theatre but the real thing, and I await the day with spirituality and apprehension.

Dear Ken and other members of Art Nude UK,
I am so glad you are able to life model, I really miss it, I am scared i will not be asked to model again, these days are so weird and strange, I feel useless but i know i am not, Good Luck to you Ken on Good Friday.
Sending Best Wishes to Alan Reynolds hope he is okay and keeping well and safe, like the rest of us.
Keep up the good work Ken Well done.
Happy Easter Everyone.Thank you.Sharon Smithers

Dear Sharon

I would say that your fears are groundless, as your qualities as a model will ensure that you will continue to get work once normal life resumes - it can't come quick enough. Like you, I am really missing regular modelling, naked and live in a proper setting.

All the best for Easter Cheers, Kenneth.

Dear Ken,
Thank you for reassuring me about going back to life modelling, I feel a bit more confident now, I wish you well and I hope your Good Friday goes well when you do the crucifixtion, Good Luck.
Happy Easter to you and other members of this wonderful group.
I would like to hear how Mark is getting on with his book, and if he needs any feedback.
Thanks Ken and everyone, Please Keep Well and Safe.

Thank you both for this discussion. I keep passing dates in my diary of cancelled bookings and wonder what it will be like when life gets back to normal. Unlike Kenneth I don't have a home studio. I have never been one to practise poses at home. I have just built up experience over the years in front of groups. With the lockdown I am also getting far less exercise than usual. Consequently, it concerns me what it will be like to hold a pose if the current situation continues for months. I suspect that starting back is going to be difficult for artists and models.

Hello Simon thank you for your input I feel the same sort off, how is it all going to be when life drawing classes set up again after al! This time away ? It is all very worrying I am sure you will be fine holding poses once we get back to modelling again, it something we must wait and see !
All the more reason to stay positive keep wel! And safe.
Please Ken will you send your Spring Newsletter to Alan.
We will all have to see when we get back to normal again.

Hi Sharon. We life models must make sure we encourage and support each other at this difficult time in our lives. And I am doing my best to keep fit for when proper classes return, by regular daily exercises, naked of course.

Thanks for mentioning my contribution to the Spring Newsletter. I will get this done as soon as I can. I came through my crucifixion on Good Friday although very much a near death experience, but not as grim as what happened in the Philippines last year. I will say more about this in my Newsletter.

Everyone stay safe and take care.

Hi Ken
Thank you for your feed back we all must support each other in this crisis, I know it is difficult for us all, thanks Ken for your support, these are trying times, but we must stay focused and look to the future, stay positive and indeed keep Well and safe, if any one needs a chat on here about life generally please send a message on here or even email me on shazsmithers@yahoo.com thank you it is a mental strain but just carry on and be safe well and positive thank you xxx

Any other news in these desperate times please ? Thank you Sharon.

Hi Sharon

Nothing new at the moment, except that I've sent Alan my latest NW newsletter for inclusion on the homepage. . Let's hope that there will soon be an end in sight for the lockdown. Meanwhile, stay positive and stay safe!

Dear Ken,
News is short since this crisis, which is a shame, we can stay positive and well, I am sure there is light at the end of the tunnel, lets hope ! Take Care Ken and all members on here, not forgetting Alan Reynolds.Thank you to this group i would be going mad if this was'nt here.

Hello All How is everyone coping ? I am well and keep smiling through and the rest of you ?
There has been a lot of internet life drawing going on I have not done it yet ! Shame

Hello Sharon. Glad to see that you are more optimistic! I've now relocated back to home territory up here in the North West, for continuing naked isolation and being looked after by Aidan in Scarisbrook near Southport. He's set up Zoom for me so I can continue my two-dimensional life drawing sessions. I've mentioned Aidan before, in one of my early essays about modelling for crucifixion in my homepage. To occupy the time, I've started to follow Aidan's suggestion of writing a book about my experiences, possibly with a title like "Bare with me - Adventures of a life model" (there is already a facebook group which I belong to with a similar name.)

I really miss the routines of proper life drawing in a real session, and I fervently hope that the day soon comes when we are back to what used to be "normal".

Love to everybody xx

Dear Ken,
I am glad you are baring up to this crisis as we all are, I do hope we can get back to real life modelling I am missing it so much. I have portrait bookings at The Art Academy in July and August, which I am looking forward too.
If you need feedback for your book I am willing to help out.
Good Luck with that project, I am glad you have Aiden there with you.
Keep Safe and healthy.
Thank.you Ken
Sharon

Hi all hope all are well ?
I am baring up to it, but i so much miss life modelling, I know i have bookings of portrait classes at The Art Academy London, but one has been cancelled.
I need something to inspire me at the moment any ideas please ?
Thanks Sharon.
Please keep safe and well !

Hi Sharon. I'm still keeping myself safe and in good shape, ready for the return (I hope) of traditional life modelling as soon as lockdown measures are eased. You are known as an excellent model, so don't lose heart and look forward to when the bookings start to roll in!

Dear Ken,
Thank you for your lovely message, I am still keeping safe and healthy thank goodness, I am glad you are too.
I wish things would get back to normal, as do many others, i wish my fellow life model friends good health and stay safe please, fortunately i am on Instragram that keeps me up too date with the real world just about,
I hope Alan Reynolds is keeping well too.
Many Thanks Ken good luck on your book, look forward to seeing it.

Hi Sharon - stay safe and optimistic! I've already got one booking when things return to normal: a lady artist belonging to he Society of Catholic Artists, who lives in Blackburn, wants to do drawings of me as the crucified Christ. The actual mechanics of doing this remain to be sorted. At least it's a start!

Hello Ken,
That is good news a booking with an artist woman, good for you, I cant wait to go back to The Art Academy in London, I have 3 bookings of portrait with Charlie Schaffer and Tim Benson, unfortunately James Bland cancelled his portrait classes. But life goes on ! Things are easing a bit at last, but will still must keep safe and well and abide by the rules. Thanks Ken for your correspondence. Wish other models would chat with us.
All the Best
Sharon

Hi Shaz.
It's Al Ya Pal x.
You are one of the busiest bodies on the forum.
Thanks again for your participation in this project.

I am still coming to terms with my situation today.
Thanks for your newsletters along with Kenneth.

Please keep up with your input.
I am trying to upgrade the website over this coming winter.
But for now do take good care of all, your family and crew.
Regards. Alan at Art Nude UK X

My "virtual" modelling on Zoom is keeping me fairly busy. I am saying more on this in my Summer newsletter.

Speaking of Zoom, I had an interesting request from Bill Garland yesterday: he asked me to pose naked except for a white facemask. He thought that the effect of covering the mouth gave greater prominence to the expressiveness of my eyes, enhancing the sensuality of the pose....

Dear Al my Pal, and Ken,
Sorry for my late reply, have been modelling in a sense at The Art Academy London for Portrait with the lovely Charlie Schaffer and Bridget the other model posing with me, as always a lovely experience, considering these strange times, as long as you abide by the rules, everything is fine thanks, glad Ken you had a good experience on Zoom with your friend Bill Garland, sounds very interesting wearing a mask.
Glad all is well with you Al, do think about you. Hoping you are coping with life generally, we are here for you if you need a chat, so sorry i neglected being on here.
All the Best,
Shaz xxx

Hi, Im new to the ANUK and the forum. I noticed you 'hoped other models would chat with you', so here I am. I am based in the Liverpool area have made some great connections with local artists, Im trying hard to get known in the northwest and would like to meet up with other life models so I can improve and be involved in interesting art works.
Kind regards Sarah

Hello Sarah, Please to meet you, It sounds as if you have your foot in the doorway for life modelling, well done, you could become a member of RAM registry for artist models, it cost 38 pounds a year, and you do get to hear of interesting modelling gigs on there. Glad you are a new member on here, it is the best group ever.
Carry on doing what you are doing, good luck Sharon Smithers

Hello Al my Pal and Ken, & All,
Had a lovely time modelling for portrait with Tim Benson at The Art Academy London, also it is nice to be involved with the artist in person, such a good feeling thank you.
Al have emailed my Summer Newsletter okay ?
Thanks to everyone on here.

Hello everyone,
Things are slowly getting back together, which is good, hope everyone is feeling well ?
No bookings yet but i am sure i will get some at some point. life carries on just about.
Keep in touch you lovely people i am here for you all.
Warm Regards Sharon xx

Welcome Sarah to the group, good luck to you regarding life modelling I have had 4 sessions in last 3 weeks or so which is really lovely, I have generally been starting up groups with tutors, and stepping in at the last moment last Thursday at Class Art in Whitstable, which was great, i have just changed my email address, it is now shazsmithers2020@gmail.com okay everyone. Keep well and safe everybody. all the best Sharon

Hello everyone hope you are all okay, I am thanks.
Had 5 sessions of life modelling in Kent which is amazing news, so much nicer doing modelling face to face with artist. Seeing their magnificent art work. What a pleasure ! My new email address is shazsmithers2020@gmail.com okay if you need to contact me. thank you Sharon.

Sharon is right in saying that proper life modelling "in the flesh" is far preferable. I earnestly hope that the latest lockdown will be the last one and that life will return to something approaching normal.

As mentioned in my Homepage some while ago, I am the only life model belonging to the Society of Catholic Artists, which has provided some interesting opportunities for work. The Society is celebrating its 90th anniversary , and its website is now staging a digital exhibition featuring the wide range of artistry of its members. This includes a section on life drawing, and I am quite proud that it includes images of me as Christ, naked on his way to crucifixion, and afterward. Take a look!

Hello everyone here we are again in another lock down, just when I was getting in the swing of life modelling again, the it gets cancelled. Never mind such as life ! I am glad Ken has been being sitting as Christ with his group. Good for him , we must all keep safe and well again. Thanks Again for reading this. Alan Reynolds is away as he is having trouble coping with the lose of his wife, I will send our regards to him. Keep Well Alan. All the Best Sharon email me on shazsmithers shazsmithers2020@gmail.com thanks.

Alan is a highly respected advocate of the cause of nude art, and I would add my own best wishes for him at this time.

Dear Ken and all members on here, Alan is highly respected on this website and what he has done for us life models, I really feel sorry for him at the mo, I wish i could do more to help him, but giving the much support he needs.
I would like to wish him our regards and best wishes, and thinking of him.
Happy Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you members, and lets hope next year will be better than this. Fingers Crossed !

I fully support that, and I offer my best wishes to Alan.

Thank you Ken much appreciated merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year 2021 hope it is better next year ?

Best Wishes to Alan Reynolds, Ken and all our other members on this fantastic group, what a year it is has been, one we will not forget, and thinking of those of you who have lost loved ones through this pandemic.
Keep safe and well ! Be positive, next year is another year, hope fully not so harsh as this one.
Merry Christmas and A Happy 2021. Sharon Smithers contact me on shazsmithers2020@gmail.com

Let's hope that things do get better in the coming year and that members of the life drawing community do their best to help each other in getting work. And to encourage new recruits to nude modelling!

Looks like the gloom and doom of another lockdown is on the way. Anyway, despite all the difficulties, life modelling still carries on in one form or another. Just before Christmas, I had a message from a guy who said he was the co-host of a "drag and DJ games show" and he was going to be live streaming to players all over the world the next evening. As part of the process of the show, a games wheel is spun which determined which games will be played, and one of them was going to be life drawing from the nude! He asked me if I was interested, and it would involve sending him a ten minute video of myself in two discrete poses, one front view and one back view. I said I would be delighted to help. I was staying with Bill Garland at the time, and he set up the gig for me, laying me out on a modelling table and using his iPhone. Success, and I was very well rewarded for the work.

Yet another lockdown, and like a grotesque version of groundhog day, everything is a reprise of last year. Once again, I am self isolating, permanently naked but this time under the aegis of Bill Garland as his domestic muse. My modelling gigs, such as they are, are now on either zoom or videos, using the studio Bill has created in his garage, with well arranged lighting and a modelling table. Bu I do miss the atmosphere and interaction you get with a proper life class "in the flesh." May those days return soon!

Hello everyone,
Sorry i have neglected you, i have been not busy with life modelling like Ken, I have just been a housewife really, I so miss life modelling, life is so different now, will we ever get back to interaction life classes again ? I do hope so !
Everything is so different now i am coping and do not have mental issues.
There must be people out there suffering, if anyone on here needs to talk about their problems, please send me an email to shazsmithers2020@gmail.com thank you Sharon Smithers.

I started doing life modelling to get some confidence about myself. As I have arthritis it can be difficult but I find it enjoyable overall. Personally I find some artists treat the model with disdain. Hen-do's are more fun as a more relaxed atmosphere. Where I live, it is more difficult to get work as a lot of artists seem to prefer females.

Hello Everyone, Well hope everyone is ok ? Had my first vaccination a week or a couple of weeks ago, which is a relieve, my next one is due in June. Hurray. A way forwards instead of backwards we hope, and i guess and hope life drawing classes will come back again, fingers crossed i feel so useless not doing my work.
It is good we have this lovely group to keep us going, respect to Alan Reynolds who created this group thank you.
if you need to contact me relating to life modelling or work please go to shazsmithers2020@gmail.com thank you Sharon Smithers.

Hi Sharon - good to read your message, and same as you, I cannot wait for all the restrictions to be consigned to memory so that we can get on with the thing we enjoy most, namely life modelling before an appreciative group of artists. I do really miss the unique atmosphere of the life class: the smell of charcoal or paint, the concentration of the artists, the sheer pride in offering one's naked body in the cause of good art. I have been doing some zoom and video work, but it is not the same as the interaction you get in a proper life class setting.

Have you been watching the life drawing series on Channel 4 called "Drawers Off", which comes to an end this Friday? As it goes out in the late afternoon, the "naughty bits" on the models are covered up, but a reasonably entertaining programme all the same.

Dear Ken,
Thank you for your kind input, i have not watched Drawers off as i feel it takes our life modelling work away from us , so sorry to say that. Anyhow please can you Ken contact Alan Reynolds on 07971356252 thank you regarding our newsletters,
thanks again Ken.

hi all,
well it is good to be back actual life modelling, onwards and upwards is what Alan Reynolds says, all is good, have been modelling for Kent Adult Education with Sarah Fagan for 5 Fridays, Roy Eastland for a couple of Wednesdays, and Kim Plowright for two Tuesday nights, it is so lovely interacting with the lovely artist and tutors. seen some great drawings of me it is such a compliment.
Still have bookings coming in. Hope all this lasts, fingers crossed,
thank you for reading this contact me on shazsmithers2020@gmail.com:grinning:

Hello everybody,
hope you are all well ? I am thank you .
I forgot to mention someone rang me needing life models on Biggin Hill here is her number if interested to model for her.+447985982322 ok folks ? Thank you Sharon you can contact me on shazsmithers2020@gmail.com

Hi Everybody and especially Sharon. I am delighted that the good old days of proper life modelling are starting to return for you. As for me, I have ben asked to model for more sessions at the Wellcome medical school in Dunham Massey - this is for tuition in the musculo-skeletal field, and also for students to familiarise themselves with the characteristics and structure of the naked human body. In the same genre, I have also been signed up by their photographic faculty to model for a video demonstrating exercises designed for people afflicted with spinal problems such as stenosis - I was asked if I had any problems about performing them nude - you can guess my response!
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I am still getting a fair amount of virtual nude modelling work - not just via Zoom, but also using Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. Bill Garland has gone to the trouble of adapting his cellar as a studio for this, with proper lighting, a table for laying down poses, and some accoutrements for BDSM type poses for those who specify that kind of thing. And I have had the promise of conventional modelling work once the lockdown is (hopefully) consigned to history.

Hi Alan, Ken and everyone on this wonderful group,
It is good to be back to what we love to do, life modelling, I am glad you have been busy Ken too, it is such a compliment to see lovely drawings of oneself.
Anyway I am back at beach creative in Berne Bay tonight Tuesday and Thursday night at Class Art Whitstable, what a relieve ! Onwards and upwards !
Thank you Sharon contact me on shazsmithers2020@gmail.com ok ?

Well done Shaz!

As I've mentioned before, I am unique in being the only life model belonging to the Society of Catholic Artists; as such, one of their leading members, Kieran Hindley, has commissioned me to model for the crucifixion of St Peter to coincide with the eponymous Saint's feast day on 29th June. I have no fears about being hung naked and upside down, as I have been there before.

I forgot to mention in my last message that the email address I quoted in my last NW newsletter is no longer valid. I can be contacted instead on kenfahy.666@hotmail.co.uk, also 07890 661717.

Well Done Ken !
Things are definitely moving on with the life drawing/ life modelling world at last, i have still bookings coming in which is amazing. at Class Art Whitstable tonight with lovely Keith Robinson and artist, Wednesday next week with Roy Eastland,
spoke to Alan Reynolds the other day and he is ok, which is a great relieve, onwards and upwards for him.
Thanks for reading this Sharon xx email me on shazsmithers2020@gmail.com ok folks ?