Fairkytes Arts Centre, London, 2 July 2019

My last three times life modelling at Fairkytes Arts Centre were all duo sessions with Esther. So long ago was it that I’d last posed here solo – 18 October 2016, in fact – I had to look-up the date. Time flies, but many of the regular artists at this group remain loyal. I started by giving them two 5-minute standing poses, then 10-minutes seated.

I’d been booked by my friend and fellow model, Natansky, but for this first half it was her sister, Estelle – the group’s co-organiser – who was running the show and calling the pose times. I followed with 15-minutes standing in what the artists christened my “Jesus pose”, and then ended the half with another 10-minutes sitting on the floor.

Natansky arrived at the interval, just in time to take on tea-making duties and lavishly distribute the biscuits. I harvested more than my fair share whilst chatting with artists. When all were ready to resume, the undisputed consensus was to finish with a brace of 20-minute poses. I configured myself into an awkward shape for the first of these.

Artwork by Natansky.

Feeling I’d earned the right to a more comfortable situation for the finale, I pulled up a high stool for cosy sit-down. Needless to say, I then raised, looped, and toe-balanced my limbs, which meant it wasn’t the last word in relaxation, but neither did it ache. My work done, I exchanged appreciations with the artists and left feeling quite upbeat.