Mall Galleries, London, 12 April 2024

As ever at Hesketh Hubbard Art Society sessions, three models were booked: one to stay clothed for portraits, one for a single long nude pose, and one for ‘quick’ nude poses. This evening I was delighted to be back on quicks, but on arriving found most society members were evidently more delighted by the prospect of Layla on long!

Artwork by Simon Whittle.

Artwork by Geoff Ramsey.

Artwork by Simon Whittle.

I reckon I had about a dozen artists attending me – what organiser Simon referred to as ‘the elite’ – whereas Layla had possibly three times as many. She’s a great person and worthy of exceptional attention. But when artists have choices and a minority opt to swim against the tide to see what I can do, I feel obligated to give them everything.

Artwork by Simon Whittle.

Artwork by Geoff Ramsey.

Artwork by Maria Antonia Aracil.

Artwork by Simon Whittle.

Artwork by Geoff Ramsey.

For the first half I was required to provide four poses of 15 minutes each. I must have made the first a tad too dynamic, standing high with an arm even higher, as at times I felt oddly wobbly and flushed as if with vertigo. I stayed sensible, settled and focused thereafter; still putting in a shift, but preserving enough of myself for after the break.

Artwork by Simon Whittle.

Artwork by Maria Antonia Aracil.

Artwork by Geoff Ramsey.

Artwork by Simon Whittle.

Usually in art spaces my bare feet collect charcoal dust at half-time intervals. Here in genteel Mall Galleries, however, they gather biscuit crumbs. After tea and digestives and a custard cream too many, I finished with two 30-minute poses. The last took my remaining reserves, but… it’s a modelling thing: energised despite pain, I felt strong.