Concealing a naked ambition?

Anita Moran | 1st July 2009

Do you dare to bare all for the sake of art?

If so, the Rotorua Life Drawing Group wants you.

The group is looking for nude models and co-ordinator Trish de Muth says the only requirements are that they be comfortable posing nude - and can sit still.

"We are not worried about shape and size," she said.

Ms de Muth has been a member of the group for many years and now has the challenge of finding a life model.

Previous nude models had been art students or people interested in art, she said.

"They find it a way to learn what it is like to be a model, to be on the other side of the easel."

Others also found it was a way to gain more self-confidence and better self-esteem and women were generally more likely to volunteer than men.

"We do like to get men and women. It just gives us a challenge so we aren't doing the same thing each week."

Ms de Muth said members of the drawing group ranged in ages and levels of experience, from high school students wanting to get more experience to people in their 70s and 80s fulfilling a hobby.

She said models were able to call the shots in the drawing class.

"We will start with short poses of about two minutes and we will work up to 20-minute poses, but if the model is uncomfortable they can move or take a quick break."

She said the group tried to keep the poses as comfortable and realistic as possible.

Ms de Muth said there was no formal teacher but group members discussed any issues they came across.

"It is a nice family environment. Everyone is relaxed and gets along."

Ms de Muth joined the drawing group to challenge herself.

"Drawing people is very difficult to still life. It is a constant challenge."

She said each week the group collected $5 from the members and at the end of the night, $50 was given to the model.

 The drawing group meets every Thursday at RAVE from 7pm to 9.30pm.

If you want to know more about the group or are willing to be a nude model, contact Kay Trask on (021) 061 1636.