loving your body 2012
the body
is the art
FIGURE DRAWING AT ESAP
by Caitlin McKimmy
p
eople glance at themselves in windows, take
pictures of themselves, and ask each other, “How
do I look?” They scrutinize their bodies through
a network of literal and fi gurative mirrors. In a
culture that elevates a narrow vision of physical beauty, it
can be hard to love the different realities that are refl ected —
there is pressure from society to mentally paint bodies over
with imperfections, and to sketch in innumerable critiques.
But what would happen if you were presented with an
image of yourself that was painted or drawn, and infused
with the creativity of an artist? Every week at the Eugene
Storefront Art Project (ESAP) headquarters, models and
their nude bodies become an inspiration for art in organized
life-drawing sessions. “It’s easy to take off your clothes as
an art form,” ESAP model Meisha Linwood says. “I am
always so excited to see people’s talents and how they
decide to depict me.”
Linwood, who has been modeling for artists for fi fteen
years, is an artist herself, and she says she is glad to
support the local art community. Lindwood says modeling
is a fulfi lling form of personal expression. “The body is a
beautiful machine,” she says. “I’m no skinny-mini, but I’m
defi nitely comfortable in my skin and I love sharing that.”
ESAP LIFE-DRAWING SESSION
Photo by Rob Sydor | digitallatte.com
At ESAP, life-drawing sessions begin with short, expres-
sive one-minute poses. As the session progresses, models
work up to poses that last half an hour. This requires a lot
of concentration and strength. “I have to be judicious about
choosing models,” Nicola Noetic, the facilitator of the ESAP
drawing sessions, says. “I’ve had people that just can’t stay
still and keep laughing and moving their heads. That makes it
really hard for the artists.”
Life drawing, or fi gure drawing, is a historically en-
grained tradition in studio art. Observing a live model, artists
wrestle with the intricate contours of the body. “It’s impor-
tant to use live models because they are three dimensional,”
Noetic says. “Every artist has a slightly different perspective
of the model. It’s better than drawing from pictures because
photographs distort everything a little bit.”
The ESAP drawing sessions have male and female
models of all body types. “You have to be really brave to
go up there and model,” says Noetic. She has coordinated
modeling sessions at several venues in Eugene, and she
says that she loves seeing how life drawing bolsters the
confi dence of artists and models alike.
During these life-drawing sessions, models sink into
their skin and artists try to refl ect the perfection of the
human form. Through this process models and artists
alike can’t help but realize that every body is literally a
work of art.
The life drawing sessions take place at the ESAP
headquarters on E. 11th every Tuesday from 6 to 8 pm.
For more information, visit ESAP’s website at www.
eugenestorefrontartproject.org/
ew
EUGENE
YOGA
a sanctuary for body, mind, spirit
$30/30 DAYS
OF UNLIMITED YOGA/NIA CLASSES*
FREE Intro to
Yoga/Sat Feb 11
10:15-11:45 AM Limited Space/Preregister
Three Specialized Series
starting in February
requires pre registration
Yoga for Large Bodies
Yoga X-training for Cyclists/Runners
Ayurvedic Yoga
VALENTINE’S SALE! 10%-50% store wide
*must be NEW to the studio
541-520-8771 • www.eugeneyoga.us
857 Willamette St. | 541•654•0822 | www.meenaimports.com
Qigong
Holly Brooks, LMT
Therapeutic Massage
wering Clients Through...
E mpo Body-Mind
Awareness
Education
Pilates-based Training
Hands-on Treatments
Offering you a quiet place
to unfold in southwest Eugene
$10 off massage
through February 29
541-513-8224
holly@hollybrookslmt.com
license #12370
WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
S pecializing In...
Holistic Approach
Back & Neck Pain
MVA & Work Injuries
Sports Injuries
Maximize Your Potential…
Become Bodywise!
313 E. 8th Ave. Eugene, OR 97401
P: 541-484-0693
www.becomebodywise.net
Classes
Self-Healing and
Practitioner Certification
In Medical Qigong Energetic Medicine
NCCAOM pdu’s for Acupuncturists
Energetic Healing
Sliding Scale $60 to $90 per hour
Intro Appointment $35 for 1.5 hour
session, may include Health Dialog, Pre-
scription Exercise, Energetic Treatment
Eric Shaffer, DMQ (China) International
Institute of Medical Qigong - Oregon Branch
Susan Shaffer Certified Instructor/
Practitioner - Spring Forest Qigong
info@qigong-clinic.com
541-654-0219
Visit www.qigong-clinic.com
EUGENE WEEKLY
FEBRUARY 9, 2012
13