change.47394

I don't think we're in Texas anymore!  I haven't written you all for the state of flux I've been in.  Everything's changing, and when that happens I get shy.  Don't ask me why.  I just can't change in front of people.


With art modeling there's this a. you're naked on stage or b. you're dressed.  People with clothes on don't get much attention they've got their armor on.  Being naked in the art scene is ... not really sexy, so I'm not nervous. I'm the figure they have to stare at and draw accurately.  But changing, oh my! For me at least I can't do it in public.  It's my modesty.  Another art model I know can't wear a bathing suit.  That's her modesty.  I know it's weird but it's partially why you haven't seen me on this blog.  There has been a lot of change.  I'm in Indiana now and all set up. Miss you.


PS Paloma Art Models Guild is now being headed by Kelli Bland in Austin. More details to come.  Take care.

Capital Metro

Hi there. Haven't written in a bit, and I apologize. It's getting harder to write about modeling when you aren't doing it as a full-time job. For those who are, I know the pay rate and how hard it is. I remember filling my gastank a quarter of the way or half tank if I was lucky. We depend on buses.

Capital Metro is taking a survey of all the riders and their routes from February through April. Surveyors will be identified with a nametag as representatives of Capital Metro, so there is no need to worry about creepy guys asking where you live. Look for the CapMetro nametag.

Tell them what routes you need in place to make traveling easier. East/West routes? I personally want the #9 to go to Laguna Gloria on weekdays. There are a lot of classes at Laguna Gloria and the #9 only goes there on Saturday, a day in which I've never model there. Tell them what you think. Collectively we can make art modeling a sustainable career. I have some more ideas, but patience is key.

Brave New World

One should use the phrase "brave new world" with caution. I've only heard it from antagonist characters now that I think about it. So the season of Heroes ended. The last episode, "Brave New World," had Claire (the cheerleader) reveal to the world her ability. Gabriel remarks, "It's a brave new world," that humans and people with powers can live together out in the open.

What if I told customers what I did in my free time? I don't want to think of the consequences to the business. Really, it's like telling everyone that your summer job is stripping. Claire knows there is going to be trouble, but really people should deal with it and live in truth together. Isn't that what Jesus wanted? Sorry to pull God into it... rather... wouldn't you like to really know your Grandmother before she dies? I would. It would mean visiting her every week to learn all her secrets, loads of patience, buying her groceries, and diligence...but wouldn't it be worth it?

I dream of a day where art models don't have to get a second job to make ends meet. I dream of a somewhat New York blase look to the words, "I'm an art model," or even the day when I say it without a hint of shame. I am thankful that my co-workers are kind and treat me with dignity while knowing that I model. I am thankful that my family has learned to live with it, but I also want art models to be an intricate part of society. Needed. I need artists in my life and they need me, perhaps that is enough.

PS I'm so glad Gabriel/Sylar is becoming kinder. That was a wish of mine this year.

The Model Schedule

A good planner can be the best asset a model owns. With a schedule that fluctuates like Austin's weather, having a calendar or planner pays for itself with one days work. Needless to say, having one helps with one's reputation as a model. Planners keep a model from forgetting any gig.

What I wanted to talk about was something a bit larger in scope. Art models in my experience are part-time. When I was working full-time as a model I didn't realize how bad financially I was doing. All bills were paid, and I don't want to get into details, but I was scraping by. I'd love to work the job I am now, model a little, and in my spare time work on the guild. The guild would provide so many dreams come true, perhaps not in my lifetime but eventually.

My question is this: Does anyone else want to art model full-time if it were possible financially and had health care benefits? Would you volunteer your time to make it happen? Feel free to email me or comment.

Violation

Listen, please. I try to spare you of details of my love life and my own personal turmoil. Everyone has pain, why should I get special attention for mine? However, what happened to me could happen to any art model, and if I don't say anything I will be doing a disservice to the next art model. Perhaps, there could be change. That would make me feel better.

Wednesday: I modeled as usual in the morning. As an art model I change in the public restroom. There's no glory in it, but it's practical. It works. I am completely concealed as I change. The instructor that morning specifically asked that I not change in the bathroom for I walk down the hall in my robe. For me, it's a bit silly but for her modesty I adhered to it. I changed in the back. The only problem is that students get and put away their easels in the back. At the end of the class I politely asked the class to hold off on putting away their easels til I got dressed.

What I didn't know that that was prime time for cackling. The teacher came to the back while I was putting on my thong and laughed. Laughed. I can't believe it. NO one in their right mind does that. The students were more respectful than her. I'm shivering in anger that anyone would have to deal with the violation I felt. I got dressed and left. The class was over and I had worked the time...

There. That didn't tell you the name of the person, only their gender. Nor did it tell the institution. If something doesn't get done about this, my God, "Hell hath no fury," comes to mind. I'm waiting on a phone call that I should receive on Monday. Please support me.

Website

Hi there! Decided to cut my vacation short. There is too much happening in Austin to stay away! Tomorrow, at 6:30pm there's a meet and greet at the Green Muse Cafe and Paloma Art Model's Guild just got a new website! So with all that I have to come back. Plus, Austin is where my heart is. From now on all the observations around the world will be made through a telescope...er...one that bends. Take care. Hope to see you at the meeting.

My Voice

We interrupt this program for an emergency broadcast.

The Vice President asked our nation whether we could voice our opinions about health care via videos. I cannot. My voice wanders off, it's whispy, and it is simply me: Waverly. My voice is powerful in the written word, not the spoken.

Health care is crucial to every person in the USA. It's on some minds more than others. Those who can afford it generally take it for granted. I am lucky that I have it. Yes I am lucky that I have it, but I keep a second job that I would not otherwise. Mr. Vice President, I am being honest for you, please do all that you can to remedy the legislation for me.

But I think it failing our nation as a whole when we take a job simply because it has health insurance. When one does not pursue their calling to its fullest degree, we lose our part of our potential. My second job is everything I want and aspire to. I love modeling and want to do it for the rest of my life. It would be nice to have weekends, but just knowing that I have one job would ease my situation. It would give me better power to create this guild...to contribute to society. That's what the public option means to me.

Please visit the White House's website to filter the truth for yourself. It helped me with my research.

Seneca Falls Convention: July 19th and 20th, 1848

Collective memory makes a society. I almost forgot that today was the anniversary of the Seneca Falls Convention. But I am here to redeem myself. It's usually an 'f' word to be a feminist nowadays, but really I would be shaming those who gave me the basic right to vote, and to own property among other things. I am happily a feminist who studied Feminist Theory at Oxford. So in honor of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, the writers of the Declaration of Sentiments, I will present you the Art Models Basic Rights tomorrow. The Seneca Falls Convention lasted two days, and this will too. Just know that this crucial event to women's rights began today. Please comment with what you think should be included. It's vain to think I can do this by myself. I want to be Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the radical who thought women's suffrage should be included in the document. Who will you be?

Health Care Reform Fun

What do you do for fun? Uh...I watch Health Care reform videos from the White House...yeah. I just realized how dorky that can be.

Well, I could write a post on societal position and the absence of clothes. :laugh: Too bad. It's health care reform and its effects on the art model community. Nudity will be a discussion for another night.

Without further ado, I present President Barack Obama.

"I suffer no illusions that this will be an easy process. It will be hard. But I also know that nearly a century after Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform, the cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and the conscience of our nation long enough. So let there be no doubt: health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year." – President Barack Obama, February 24, 2009

Health care is a major issue in the guild we are creating. For me, it was the reason to start the guild, so I wouldn't have to work two jobs. I am very fortunate that my part-time job provides health insurance, but I look forward to the day, or rather days, that I have a two day weekends. In the discussion, it was mentioned that Americans pay more for health care than they do for shelter or food. Please read for yourself, for the White House staff is a bit more eloquent than I am. Aaahnd if you'd rather watch, here's some White House teevee.

Take care, and remember "Knowing's half the battle!"

Meetup Group

So sorry for the delay!  We have a new meetup.com group!  Please visit us here, and join as an Austin art model, if you like.  Take care.

Hiya!  We're meeting tomorrow evening at the Green Muse Cafe.  We will be discussing our collective vision for the guild in this great land of Texas.  Bring your ideas, pens, and wishes for the guild's future.  All over a cup of coffee.  See you there!

Together All Can Be Attained

"There never is a shortage of suffering."  Really there isn't.  This quote is from Victoria Moran's book where she discusses volunteering and developing compassion, however, and the limit to all of it.  There is a limit to each of us.  I can't watch the news; I have to read or listen to it.  The last thing I want to be is apathetic and desensitized.

This photo was serenity in relation to the other images taken from South Africa last year in May.  Apparently, the native, black South Africans "armed with clubs, machetes and torches," attacked immigrants from neighboring countries.

The point is: get out of your house and help.  Volunteer somewhere.  Really, it's kinda like religion but a little more tactile.  I'm drained from working on the guild stuff, but it felt so good this morning to help some other organization out.  If we only think of ourselves or our own little problems, we swallow ourselves up and forget there's a world out there.  There is truly a whole world of problems, yet focusing on a part of it brings me joy, not despair.  Help out where you can, but at the very least be conscious of everything you do and how it affects others.

These hands are not fighting.  They're enjoying the common good . . . together.

Palomas at my Window

I love looking out my balcony.  There's a tree and usually you can watch birds sitting in it. Quite beautiful, actually.  I don't know my birds that well so this may all be a lie.  I was looking out and I saw a beautiful turtle dove just walking back and forth on my ledge with a twig in its beak.

Most wouldn't think anything of it, but I take it as an omen.  She's building a nest; I'm building a foundation of what hopefully will be a strong organization.  Anyway, it was beautiful and I'm glad something gave me hope this morning.

I don't know how far these words travel, but I hope Paloma Art Models Guild inspires you to make a union/guild of your own.  I'm very proud that we are second in a google search for 'art model guilds,' but truly we don't have too much competition.  There are two other guilds that I know of for art models: Bay Area Models Guild and DC Area Figure Models Guild.  Two.  There are fifty states that compose the grand United States with countless art models and art schools.  But even if one models guild is inspired by this post I would be delighted.  Let me know if there are other guilds that google searches do not represent, and happily prove me wrong.  Good luck to you.

The Green Muse this Thursday

Greetings!

I am happy to announce that we, Paloma Art Models Guild, are going to have our very first meeting. We will meet at the Green Muse Cafe on Oltorf and South First. It's nearby the Pizza Patron at that corner. This coming Thursday at 6:30pm til whenever we like, or the place closes. Basically a meet and greet and a celebration of our community. Be there for a cup o' joe or to organize or both! Anyway, I can't wait! See you there!

PS Since I used up the Green Muse's mural photo in my last post, here's a picture of another muse of theirs.

Value

Beauty is part of my trade.  It's strange though.  Art and fashion definitely are the more frivolous of trades, but necessary.  For me, seeing a beautiful mural makes me want to stay in Austin.  That affects realty, a proper trade, which in turn helps the community financially.

I've always hated people ranking careers.  In my perspective, it is usually done by income and education.  People need to work to create a community, not to outrank each other.  In other words I value the plumber as much as the lawyer; the prostitute and the English teacher. Each serve their purpose in the world.

I'm happy as an art model.  I just want to make it a career with health insurance.  As a community we can do this.  Hopefully, you will join me.

Paloma Art Models Guild

Good morning!  Yes, it's a late morning but it's beautiful. 

Yesterday, I posted these flyers in some art communities.  It's a beginning.  I've been wanting to make an art models guild that will stand up for models' basic rights for awhile...but I can't do it alone.  So here is a start that will hopefully blossom into a steadfast guild.  Please contact me if you are interested and in the Austin area.  Oh, and by the way, paloma means dove.

Have a  good morning.