Modeling Again

In my previous post I introduced a new model, a young lady who'd never modeled for an artist before. Now I want to talk about more experienced ladies, those who have been working for a number of years. Women who for one reason or another find themselves on the modeling stand a few years beyond the time you'd expect. I have seen many models who continue working beyond the prime years of early twenties who because of talent and experience bring more than a fresh body to the artists attention. They know the poses the artist wants, have trained themselves and their muscles to hold long poses, - they have what it takes!  

But I'm not talking about those! This group represents the other end of the spectrum. Each of the ladies pictured here were well over seventy when they "took the stand" for us. The first above, drawn with ballpoint pen, was a tall and truly elegant woman who I'm sure had been a fashion model.  She moved as if in heels and a long gown.  I didn't ask but I'll bet she had an interesting story.

The second, done with ordinary pencil, was a nice woman, very competent, - did a great job.  She obviously had modeled somewhere before. I don't know much more about her,  just the fact of her age .

The last, the one below drawn with Prismacolor pencil, was an "accidental" model. We'd had a regular model scheduled for the group and she was late. In fact, she never showed up that evening. We started to do what we usually do in that circumstance, taking turns doing short poses for each other (clothed!) when this "young lady" put down her drawing materials and volunteered to model for the evening. She'd modeled nude when younger she said and was sure she could still do the job. He husband was there, part of the class and he backed her up, saying she had modeled for him and would be fine. Here she is, well past the usual age for female models, doing her bit for art!

"There's many a good tune played on an old fiddle."  Proverb

"Age is strictly a case of mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter."  Jack Benny

"The secret of staying young, is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age."  Lucille Ball