me as muse
I had the unexpected pleasure of sitting for portrait day for the anatomy class I teach when a model didn’t show up a few weeks ago. My students did a shockingly good job, especially considering it was our first day focusing on the face. I’m about to share a handful more on my Birds of a Feather monthly letter 📝💌 if you’re not yet subscribed, pop over to this link and jump on the list because the letter goes out tomorrow🙌
1.23.2023
I’m becoming an honorary flower faery by my sister artist Seana McCarthy (@theillustratr on Insta), and I could not be more excited to be part of her super creative, educational, and totally endearing upcoming project!
She’s been creating a beautifully and meticulously illustrated guide to useful and medicinal herbs and plants, and since we love to use each other for inspiration, Seana invited me to help represent the Calla Lily, which is so fitting not only because if the name similarity, but because I actually have a Calla Lily as part of my large thigh bouquet tattoo as a sign of feminine strength, purity, and natural beauty.
Seana used a few photos from another past photoshoot from here on O’ahu, which is one of my faves since it took place on the ridge of my favorite hike, Lanipo, located just above my beloved Palolo Valley.
Every week (on Faery Friday!) Seana has been coming out with another sneak peek of her faery illustrations, which will eventually be compiled into a gorgeous handwritten book coming out in 2021. Definitely follow her on Instagram to see more of her illuminating and whimsical drawings and writings!
11.5.2020
I’ve been modeling quite a bit over this summer and it’s always such a treat for me to see how I’m portrayed by other artists so I figured it’s about time to share another round with my wonderful readers.
Plus I recently updated the ‘Art Model’ page on my website with a number of my favorite drawings from my sessions over the last two years. Having a number of artists attend my sessions repeatedly definitely helps me stay on my toes by keeping my poses fresh and dynamic:)
8.21.2019
This may seem an odd place to share this adventure, but I have come to look at my blog as a bit of a journal so sharing this incredible experience with fellow art lovers like you seems somehow fitting….
Hopefully you caught this very special blog post from a few weeks ago featuring myself and two of my favorite sister artists hiking a super high ridge line on the Westside of O’ahu. All of the ethereal photos in that post were by my fellow nude hiker and professional photographer friend Stephanie Stein, but today I wanted to share the other photos from that epic day - the ones we snapped on our cell phones while eating lunch, taking photos, and just generally frolicking around.
As I’m sure you can imagine, this was one of the best, most invigorating, and somehow transformative hikes any of us have ever experienced. To quote Emsy as she was climbing ever higher to stand proudly on teeny ledges jutting out over the valley below, “I’ve never been so naked in my whole life!”
In this artist’s humble opinion, being comfortably naked is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Too often in modern consumerist society we are told about all the imperfections that buying random products can solve without being lauded for who we are naturally.
So that’s why it’s ever more important to find joys in our own ways in our own bodies. It’s hard to feel sub par within your body when it makes you feel powerful and exhilarated!
So if you can, try and find an unusual place to be naked soon! Whether you try a naked hike like us, decide to find a secret beach where you can sun your buns, or just sip some tea and read next Sunday’s paper in the buff in your backyard, taking a little time to be naked in nature will make you feel like a whole new person. Would love to hear your experiences in the comments!
PS. If you’re curious, we hiked in regular clothes until we felt nicely secluded then disrobed and continued on. We also learned that at least shorts are needed on the way back down or else one must be prepared for a very grass-tickled bottom during steep descent areas ;)
2.27.2019
I think I was just gifted my favorite drawing of myself to date by my friend and fellow artist Patrick Mizumoto (@paintedpatrick) during my last figure modelling session at the Museum of Art School here in Honolulu. I’m so honored to be drawn like a little forest fairy nymph..:)
Modeling at these open figure drawing sessions has really helped me connect with a new artistic side of myself. When I'm up on the platform I try to imagine myself from the outside looking towards my poses with a mental eye for lines, composition, and of course lighting and shadows. I try to make an interesting piece out of my own body with the goal of facilitating beautiful creations from the other artists. When they are able to make something unique and lovely, I like to feel like I can share in that win in some small way.
Here are a few more from that evening. (The first one is Patrick as well but the others are by artists with no links).
::
originally published on September 24, 2018
Hi friends! If you remember from a few months ago I have started figure modeling for the weekly drawing session I attend and I'm always tickled pink to see other artists' renditions of myself so here's the latest batch. Enjoy!
::
originally published August 6, 2018
I am always so humbled when I get contacted by a photographer to be a muse for a day:)
Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to have Amanda Leigh of Bee Leigh Imagery come visit my little studio bungalow and take some gorgeous shots with this incredible morning light streaming in through the palms. We had just 'met' through Instagram (I super love connecting with other creatives btw! @caleighbirdart) and I simply adored Amanda's use of natural lighting to really give her subjects a heavenly vibe.
So when she told me how much she loved my studio tour and felt inspired to shoot me in my Nest I was beside myself with excitement! Yay!! I love to work with photographers and am especially thrilled to work with a female photog that was close to my own age.
It's just so much fun to see yourself through the eyes of another artist! And I am beyond impressed what Amanda was able to do using nothing but natural lighting - no flashes, no reflectors and totally spur-of-the-moment setups.
It's hard to get a good, candid laughing shot!
To my fellow Hawaii residents, Amanda is available to book for elopements and portraits. Seriously go check out how talented she is right here.
::
originally published June 18, 2018
