Fairy-Tale farm has begun “Figure in the Field”, a weekly figure drawing class. We rotate male and female every month. Our nude models stand in the middle of the vegetable garden, amidst flowers and vines. When some vegetables get 6 feet tall, artists have to squeeze themselves into the paths, all around our central wooden circle. But it’s a new experience being sandwiched between peas while you try to focus on the figure. A few plants got stepped on, but they recovered.
Many children came to the first session, and I wasn’t sure how they’d do with a naked woman. Our model was very warm with them, and comfortable in her body. The artists were between the ages of 3 and 13, and all took their art very seriously, quietly sketching and really concentrating on the form. Toddlers ran back and forth chasing chickens in the yard.
Our model meditated during the longer poses, a smile slowly growing on her face. Sunkissed, Buddha-esque, she lay there like a goddess, the bamboo poles casting shadows over her body as the sun slowly set. For most of the children, this was their first art class, certainly their first figure-drawing class. Many of the moms hadn’t sketched in years.
I loved the younger children’s drawings. Most just started at the head, and drew gradually down.
We play music. Sometimes the chickens get really loud. We sell tea and coffee, sometime spie.
One day, a little boy just under two ran in from the other yard, saw the naked woman, paused. Then he just ran back, unperturbed.
A naked mommy. No big deal!
To the left is a an 8 year old’s drawing. The stalks around her were the remnants of last summer’s sunflowers.
The drawing at the right includes a nice rendition of the model’s shaved vagina. It was a good anatomy lesson as well as art!
We are always looking for new models, so please contact us if you’re interested in posing. You don’t have to have any modeling experience, and we encourage all shapes and ages.
We like to pay in fresh vegetables or fruit, pickled beans, or seeds. Or, if you prefer, you can trade your talents for dinner.
We hope you and your children can join us for the next class. Come, relax, and nurture your inner artist for a few hours.
Maybe you can go home with a little masterpiece such as this 3 year old’s.
Isn’t it just pure joy?
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