The Star by Hackney Downs, 4 June 2024

For me, this evening at The Star by Hackney Downs had a surprise extra sprinkling of stardust. Artist Farida Yesmin had travelled all the way from Folkestone to join us. It’s been years since I last saw Farida – we’d often met at Art Macabre events – so it was a joy to find her here, chatting with Drawing the Star organiser Catherine Hall.

Artwork by Catherine Hall.

Artwork by Catherine Hall.

Artwork by Farida Yesmin.

Of course, as well as unexpected old friends, it’s good to catch-up with the regulars. I always look forward to a natter with Alex McKenzie and hearing about her academic journeys into archaeological art, and seeing Mark Doherty making brilliant bold lines on big paper set upon the floor. Like Catherine and Farida, both are superb artists.

I’ve met many other talented artists during my thirty previous sessions as a life model in this space. People come and people go, but pacey poses, peppy playlists, passion for art, provision for all, plus a hint of Hackney hipness, make every occasion special. We started as always: poses of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, half, half, half, 10 and 10 minutes.

Artwork by Joseph O’Connor.

After a break and a casting of votes it was decided the last half-hour would see three more 10-minute poses. I’d misread the signs as I felt sure they would be in the mood for one 30-minute long pose; but 10-minuters were fine by me. Happy days. And now more to follow… a trip to model in Folkestone for Farida is already confirmed.