The Nude, Part One
February 16, 2015
Recently I was discussing with another artist the sheer pleasure of painting a nude. We had only known each other several minutes and began talking about painting. “Any time I can paint someone naked, I get very excited,” she said to me. I feel the same, but it can be difficult to find a nude model outside of a formal (classroom/educational) setting. The nude is a classical concept as far as painting goes- for a very long time there has been a great interest in drawing or painting or photographing the human figure. Artists are enamored with the softness, the vulnerability of human flesh. Even artists who are known for their non-traditional work drew inspiration from the nude.
For this compilation I worked hard to find as many male nudes as I could. I once had a professor that stated, “The world needs more male nudes.” And I would have to agree with him. I also tried to branch out and find a more contemporary approach to the nude, a nude that people now can understand.
Most of us have a desire deep down (or maybe not so deep down) to be nude and to view others in their nakedness. As I have discussed in previous posts, people are fascinating to us because we are them! Personally, I find the nude to be an inspiration. It is our stripped down selves. It does not hide behind flashy garments. A lack of clothing brings the human form to its simplicity, which is actually very complex.
Look. Listen. Respond.
– Megan