The artist

[Vincent_999]

The artist (closed except for atenai)

I stood there staring at the post I had meticulously created on my computer. My name is Vincent. I am a 35 yr old artist living in the northeast. I was attempting to try and hire a new live model for my latest series. A Gallery in Bangor had commissioned me for a show, but I needed to come up with a 20 piece show. I wanted to put together an abstract piece centered around a nude model. I decided to post on Craigslist, but didn't know what I would get.
"Wanted.
Female model for series of abstract and impressionistic paintings. open to body size and race. must be open to nudity and have the ability to carry on conversation....you may be sitting for up to an hour at a time. "
...I hit send and waited to see what I got.

 

[atenai]

Re: Female Model

Hi there, I read your ad and I'm interested. Can you please provide at least one professional reference and a few examples of your artwork?​

Samantha read what she'd typed and groaned inwardly. "How do I ask for proof that you're not a creepy stalker or serial killer?" she asked her laptop screen aloud.

I will provide a casual photograph and more details about myself as a model after I check with your reference. No particular modeling experience, please let me know if this is a deal breaker. I will need to know if your studio is too far off a bus route, as I'll have to figure for a taxi fare. Also, while I'm okay with a series and the time it will take, some idea of how often and for what time frame you want a model would help me plan ahead.​

Sam reread the short and to the point email again, chewing idly on her lip. If there's anything else, I can't think of what, she decided at last. So she hit the SEND button.

 

[Vincent_999]

re

Vincent read through the reply in awe that one had appeared so fast.

"hmmmmmm" he copied and pasted an example of his work as well as the public class that he volunteered at. he didn't use models often, so he would have to rely on the community college to verify that for him. No problem , he thought, " ill just give the art department a heads up to expect strange calls asking ofr a reference." He laughed to himself as he realized how creepy it seemed to ask for a model on craigslist. oh well, it was free and he was broke..***** of an artist. He sent a second email with his contact info for after she went through her process if she was still interested.
He hit send and went into his studio to plan out the series.

 

[atenai]

It took Samantha a couple days to work up the courage to call the community college about the public class. It took her a couple more to get a call back, all of which she spent fidgeting. But she told herself the money she would make as a nude model would definitely pay for her new computer, which she needed to buy as soon as humanly possible... she was already reduced to using public machines at the town library, which was embarrassing as hell. She wasn't a prude, but she didn't like the thought that some stranger could be reading over her shoulder, and it made her jumpy... which she was well aware probably made her look even guiltier.

A week after she'd first sent a request email, she was back at the library again, typing out another.

Hi Vincent,

I checked at the college and I'm comfortable enough with their reference that I'd like to meet up to talk about the series. I've attached a photo and measurements. I hope you don't mind bigger girls, I'm size eighteen and far from flawless.

Thanks,
~Sam​

 

[Vincent_999]

Vincent stared at the screen, excited that he had hopefully found a model.

He hit the reply button and started typing.

:" Sam, sounds great! and no size or shape is not only a non issue, but I want to be able to capture the real beauty of a woman in my art, not just what you see in a magazine. Im sure you'll be great. How about Starbucks tomorrow at say 1? I will bring my portfolio and we can mash out the details then. "

He hit send and realized how excited he was to get this project off the ground.

 

[atenai]

Samantha turned up at Starbucks early, around 12:30, and realized she had failed to ask this Vincent what he looked like, so she was stuck with getting a latte and a sandwich and just sitting down, hoping he would find her.

Her latte disappeared rapidly even as her sandwich lingered, a holdover from not entirely being sure about this idea. Sure, she needed cash, and the idea had looked appealing when she saw the craigslist ad, but was she really sure she wanted to model in front of a stranger, completely nude? Eventually she just set down the sandwich and gave up for the time being, hoping this Vincent showed up promptly because she knew she was liable to bolt if he wasn't there right at one.

 

[Vincent_999]

Vincent walked into the starbucks at a quarter to 1. He glanced around and noticed although there weren't many people there, they were all female. Dammit...strike 1. He noticed a woman sitting at the bar intently eating what looked like a sandwich of some sort. She had the same features as the pic he had gotten in her reply, but wasn't too sure. He took his fossil glasses off and rested them on his white fedora.
"Sam?"

 

[atenai]

Shit, can't run now. Hazel eyes looked up to see a man older than she. "Vincent?" she guessed, moving her purse so he could join her at the bar. "Care to join me?" she asked lamely, not really sure about herself now. She hadn't realized that the age difference would make her feel like a teenager, but it did.

 

[Vincent_999]

She moved her purse so he could sit with her. He accepted and offered his hand to shake

: Im Vincent...but just call me Vin. "

He reached into his messenger bag and took out his portfolio, a black book slightly larger than a notebook that he kept photos of his work in. In it were landscapes, abstracts and in the last section some of the impressionistic and abstract nudes he had done. As she got to that section, he pointed this out to her, slowly taking in the curve of her body, the smell of her hair. He could tell it would be difficult to be professional with her, but there is always a certain sense of intimacy when studying a subject anyway.

 

[atenai]

"Hi Vin, it's nice to meet you." She was pleased that he offered her something to look at, because she found it was hard to meet his eyes. "Is your studio nearby? You never really said." She buried herself in his photos, and was somewhat impressed. She'd mistakenly assumed that someone who posted ads for models on craigslist must not be very professional, but apparently it just meant they (like the rest of the world) didn't have a better place to post it. She had a tendency to let her curls fall into her face to shield herself from his eyes, and she didn't even realize she was doing it until she looked up and had to move her hair, at which point she tucked it behind her ear. "You didn't say exactly how many paintings you wanted, or how long you thought it might take. Would you mind telling me about your project?"

 

[Vincent_999]

He noticed when she swept her hair behind her ear that she may be a little new or uncomfortable at this. He also noticed how intently she studied his work intently.
"yeah sure" he finally replied..." Its a 15 piece series, but I would only need you for 5 or 6 or so. Sies ranging from about 2 foot squared to about 5 by 3. it would be 3-4 hrs a day, three times a week. I usually pay 25 an hr, maybe more if u sit well. and yes my studio is only about a mile from here."

 

[atenai]

"Oh good," she replied, cheeks flushing a bit further. "I'm sorry if I seem a bit focused on the distance, but I don't have a car and it's a pain in the ass. This'll be a lot easier if it's local." She paused on the abstract and impressionist nudes, considering the differences. "Three or four hours a day," she repeated quietly, nodding. "That works for me. Money towards a good cause," she admitted with a sigh. "The cause of me owning a functional computer again." Her eyebrows raised in a sarcastic sort of comment on her lack of computer.

"I guess my only real questions are when you want to start, and a rough estimate of how many weeks you think it will take. I'm unemployed at the moment so my schedule's pretty open." Her posture was relaxing the longer she sat and just talked to Vincent, and the longer either of them went without mentioning the word 'nude'. Since they could discuss quite easily without mentioning the exact content of their conversation, in a few more minutes she would probably be relaxed enough to suggest starting today.

 

[Vincent_999]

" Well Im pretty open so its up to you. My studio is within walking distance from here if you at least want to come check it out?" he asked, hoping he didn't sound to bold. She seemed to be thinking it over.

" listen its a busy street, 1st floor, and unless your comfortable we do not have to start today. "

 

[atenai]

Sam smiled at him, deciding she liked the guy. "I'd love to see it, and I don't actually mind starting today if you've everything you need. I wouldn't mind having some extra cash, and you're being awfully nice about this."

Her smile faltered when she reprocessed the part about a busy street and on the first floor. "You don't mean people can see into the studio where I'd be modeling, do you?" She rather doubted he meant any such thing, but the idea had thrown her off her comfortable groove. "No one besides you is going to be there, right?"

 

[Vincent_999]

"HAHAHAHAHA no , Sry, I was merely pointing out that if you get bored or need a stretch walk that we aren't in the boonies or anything. Theres a 7-11 right down on the corner, and no, Im the only lease holder so no one else will be coming in unexpectedly. "
He walks over to a table with several boxes of various sketch pencils, pastels and other tools of his trade and sifts through them. Deciding on pastels, he grabbed a large sketch pad and slowly looked her over.
" I think this is going to work out well. " He points to a tame looking old 80s styled couch" I figure we could start over there. Do want anything to drink? I have Soda, water and some "adult" options. "