"Free Naked People!"

[vakkotaur]

I had planned to make this post later, after posting about the rest of my Midwest FurFest experience, but it seems that I need to get it out of the way. Some time before MFF 2007 film2edit asked for folks interested in modeling at some figure drawing panels at MFF. People would be needed for human figure drawing, for fursuit drawing, and there was also some interest in nude figure drawing if there were folks willing to model for that. Via IM I expressed an interest in posing where needed. Part was frustration at not having done so at RCFM a couple years ago (I showed up but nothing happened) and missing the panel even though it actually happened this year. Feeling good about my weight reduction since a couple years ago, and perhaps overconfident about where my weight would be by MFF 2007, I also said I was willing to do the nude posing. I will admit to a bit of apprehension. However as many regrets are not about things done, but about things not done, I figured I could try it and find out how I reacted to it. If there was a problem, I would know not to do that again. Thinking about this was likely what inspired a post about nudity in dreams.

I didn't hear much about this for a while, but eventually I got an e-mail from rcfoot about the adult figure drawing panel. Evidently there were only three people who had expressed any willingness to pose for it. There was some minor confusion in a couple e-mail exchanges but all that was eventually cleared up. It turns out I knew one of the others and the other two knew each other. But that meant that a couple of us had not met. Fortunately rcfoot arranged a meeting for us a couple hours before the panel. That gave us time to meet for a bit and then go get ready. Getting ready pretty much just meant bathing.

Arriving at the panel I found that a fourth model had been added at the last moment, the result of which was that there were an equal number of male and female models. Unless we were "on" we stayed in a little section where we were hidden from the main room, though none of us bothered with clothing or robe after the initial undressing even if we weren't "on." It was just simpler to always be ready and it was no big deal for any of us.

We each did one or two short solo poses, then there were a few two person poses, and that seemed to take up the allotted hour. There wasn't anything scheduled for that room until the next morning so everyone was asked if they wanted to continue. I think a couple of the artists packed up and left but most stayed and all of us posing stayed as well. Somewhere in all this one of the artists quipped, "Like I'm gonna turn down free naked people?" That got a laugh. "We should have advertised this that way: FREE NAKED PEOPLE (for drawing)." I'm not sure how long things went on, but not more than an additional hour.

A few things were rather interesting, and not in the prurient sense some might think. One of the artists commented it was unusual to have male and female nudes together. Evidently many have a problem posing in a mixed group, which is understandable if they haven't met. Or they have significant others who have a problem with it. Another was that the situation made things less sexual rather than more. The best way I can put this is that I was in a room with not one, but two nude women... and I found myself looking at the clothed people more, and it wasn't just a matter of having to hold a pose. Even when not "on" that was the case.

It was an example of how covering things up or restricting view makes things more desirable. When all was in the open, and there was easy opportunity to see everything, it was no big deal. One thing I've done at ren faires is to go up to some young woman in a bodice and look her in the eyes and tell her, "There, at least one guy has looked you in the eyes today." And then I say how it's a very difficult thing to do. And it can be. I had no trouble looking into the women's eyes. Having to look into the other guy's eyes simply never came up, in case anyone was about to comment on that.

If you are expecting pictures, you will be disappointed unless any of the artists decides to scan their work. No cameras or cellphones (as they now have have cameras in them) were permitted. Or at least if they were in the room, they had to remain packed up. There was someone from con security keeping an eye on the artists in case anything like that was attempted. It wasn't. Everyone besides the security person was there to draw or be drawn. The atmosphere was not "dead serious" as people did talk and joke, but it was all good natured stuff. Other than the nudity itself I doubt anything ever went beyond perhaps a PG-13 rating if even that much.

Having now done this, would I do it again? Yes, I would. It's no big deal. It's good to know who else would be posing, just so everyone is at ease with each other. While rcfoot might try to claim otherwise, he led the panel quite well - nothing really went on too long and there was a light humor to things. Having the security person around to be sure things were as intended was a Good Idea. The only problem I had was that I wasn't at the weight I'd have liked to been at. But you know what? Unless something was said out of my earshot, I think the only person there who cared about my weight was me. The idea of possibly doing this again is a(nother) motivation to further reduce my weight and keep it under control.

I think of the person I was chatting with about this before MFF who said, "I could never do that." I used to think that, a long time ago when I thought of it at all. I think I'm a bit more confident and at ease now. And you know, I think if I hadn't done it, I would have regretted it.

Comments

[catwoman69y2k.livejournal.com]

I was glad to work with you (as well as Mystee and the other model...his name escapes me atm) and hope to continue this in the future (if Rcfoot has room for another at another con, Im game). I may not be an artist in the way I once was but its nice to give people an opportunity to initiate looking to body pose sources outside of playboy models or other "ideal bodytypes".

Personally I dont think you were ever a large man so Im not sure what you mean by you have lost weight.

Kat

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Lost nothing, I ran like mad from it!

Two years ago at MFF I was wearing pants that I only just barely fit into and I was worried about the button popping off. The last hole on my belt was distorting. After Thanksgiving I was at 228 lbs when I checked. I might well have been heavier before I checked. I took photos of you but never had my picture taken with you as I didn't want to see how bad I looked. A picture from a year or two before was bad enough. There you were, looking great, and there I was... looking like I didn't belong in the picture.

So after that Thanksgiving two years ago, I decided to Do Something About It. I cut out most snacks, started near daily exercise, and really watched what I ate. By MFF of last year I was at about 155 lbs. Since then I've gained a bit and generally hovered in the 160s or 170s. I've been a bit lax in how close I watch things, so I don't considered it a plateau as such. It's just a matter of not taking in as many calories as I have been. Of course the problem is that calories tend to taste good.

I'd like to be in the 150s again. I'd love to see what the 140s are like, but that might be a dream. Right now, after a week or so of not exercising and eating more (and worse?) than usual, I'm at about 176 lbs. It's not terribly bad, but I do feel fat. I can't even imagine being up over 200 lbs any more.

You have GOT to be kidding!

[catwoman69y2k.livejournal.com]

I only wish you had shared that tidbit with me. Then again, if you ahd, I would of grabbed you and made you pose with me because the logic is just propostrous to me. I think that you are overexaggerating a bit given that Im no supermodel either. Similiar to what you said to me when you came to my room at con, "Adonnis couldnt make it. Aphrodite had to call in sick."

I am 165lbs.....I dont even THINK about going back down to 150lbs.

Kat

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Here are a couple (http://www.conmicro.com/~vakko/furmeets/mff_2005/mff05_52.html) photos (http://www.conmicro.com/~vakko/furmeets/mff_2005/mff05_62.html) from MFF 2005. Compare those to a photo (http://www.conmicro.com/~vakko/furmeets/mff_2006/mff06_142.html) from 2006. I don't have a scan of the picture I mentioned, from 2004 I think, handy. I'm not even sure where the print is, and it is a print as that was before I had ready access to a digital camera.

When you mentioned people saying you were obese I found it silly as I had been, at least according to BMI, obese until I dropped under 185 lbs. That was a Big Deal to me when I crossed that line. I posted about that in a friends-locked post, Weight: Yay, I'm overweight! Huh?? (http://vakkotaur.livejournal.com/281700.html). Staying under 185 is significant to me. Seeing 180 approach sets off an alarm for me. I know BMI can be misleading, but I do know what I look(ed) like. It was odd, to me, that a few folks said I didn't seem like had much of a weight problem. But as I said in the main post, the only person who has a problem with my weight seems to be me. Which is probably just as well. I'm also the only person who can do anything about it - either way.

BMI

[catwoman69y2k.livejournal.com]

Well Im 26.2 in bmi score. That makes me "overweight" so its not like being called obese is a total falsehood. Its more of a word of exaggeraton that was used since there is a difference between obese and overweight.

I still do not see much of a difference. Then again, I have found that I am not good on body perception of others. It seems I possess "Shallow Hal" syndrome so Im a lousy person to ask the question of "am I fat?" if that question comes from a person that has an exceptional, wonderful personality and awesome spirit.

Kat

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

I did a fair amount of nude figure modeling in college - the students adored me because i was doing a lot of swordfighting at the time, so I had curves AND muscles. The only thing I found awkward about it was some of the poses - I had a whole series holding things up that gave me cramps for days!

I have been more creeped out by certain photographers shooting me fully clothed that I was by a class of people while I was naked. Mostly because I knew they were more interested in the angle of my shoulder blade than the perkiness of my bosom.

[film2edit.livejournal.com]

Sorry I wasn't around. I'm happy you were able to bring Orvan on Sunday, and do the Saturday one also.

I think if it wasn't an event where I knew a lot of folks there, I'd probably be more comfortable. I'm very shy about folks seeing me nude, but if it's for art probably not as much.

They over booked models during one of my classes once, so there was a guy and a lady posing. The instructor said they could stay.

I've had the most normal conversations just sitting in a bathtub with a friend. If you're naked, not much else to hide.

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

That is something. I think it helped that I didn't really recognize any of the artists there even if they might perhaps have recognized me. I suspect it's best if it's an "audience" of near complete strangers, or folks who you/I know rather well. Awkwardness is with the acquaintances in between, I suppose.

[film2edit.livejournal.com]

That works. Most folks tend to know who I am, even if I have no idea who they are. I think I'd probably be more comfortable doing that at a smaller event, or one I'm not really known at.

[thecanuckguy.livejournal.com]

First of all, re the thread of replies with catwoman69y2k, I'm really pleased for you to see your weight progress! (My wife has been working about as long as you have with her weight too, with similar results) I'm sure you're even "feeling healthier" lately too!

Secondly, I've always wanted to ask this of a nude male model (although your post seems to have answered it for me), did you find it difficult not to, ummm, "rise to the occasion"? I imagine that professional male nude models have tricks to keep Sgt. Peter from standing at attention, but you (and I assume the other male there) were not "professionals".

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Overall, I do. Though as I have slipped up I don't feel quite as good as I know I can. I'll be resuming my exercise and being more careful about intake so at least the trend should be in the right direction again in a few days. The next big holiday will likely be another setback, but that's just a setback, a delay, not a fixed result.

I did some research before MFF about nude modeling and at least one source summed it up as "It happens. Nobody comments on it." So I assume it's a bit like the social awkwardness of audibly passing gas in polite company: It does happen, but it's not acknowledged. As you have worked out from the post, that was not an issue. It was de-sensitizing if anything and so for most posing and just being about there was nothing that caused any arousal. There was one pose (no, I will not go into detail here) that did have some effect but it was very temporary. Just holding still isn't exciting that way. Just because someone is nude in front of a bunch of people doesn't make them an exhibitionist. I expect that maintaining an aroused state for a pose would actually be rather difficult.