Private booking, Folkestone, 25 August 2024

Three weeks after I’d modelled for Catherine Hall and Farida Yesmin at a private life drawing session in Margate, the three of us reunited for another artistic collaboration. This time we were in Folkestone, hosted by Farida. Previously we’d worked outdoors with poses of 10 to 15 minutes, but here we would be inside for longer poses.

Artwork by Farida Yesmin.

Artwork by Catherine Hall.

Artwork by Farida Yesmin.

Artwork by Catherine Hall.

After a catch-up chat and some excellent brunch provided by Farida, we began with a simple 40-minute pose semi-reclining upon a chaise longue. The next pose – another of 40 minutes – was to focus on hands and feet, so I sat upright with limbs positioned to the fore. Complex angles, no problem to hold, exquisitely captured.

Artwork by Catherine Hall.

Artwork by Farida Yesmin.

Artwork by Catherine Hall.

Artwork by Catherine Hall.

Artwork by Farida Yesmin.

We finished with a few shorter poses: 11 minutes standing, 16 minutes sitting side-on and 7 minutes sitting with one arm reaching upwards. Whilst pose times in classes or group settings usually end with a five or zero, at private bookings artists can luxuriate in asking for an extra minute or two whenever it’s desirable… and sustainable. 🙂

Afterwards, Farida showed us around the seafront and art spaces of Folkestone. The town may not have the headline art attractions of Margate, but it’s every bit as vibrant for grassroots practising artists. Thanks to Farida and Catherine my own two summer sessions in Kent have been hugely enjoyable. Hope we can do it again some time!