In the Box At Last!

       It only took about three months of trying but Michael Ward and I finally got together for a photo/drawing session up at my studio. I was seriously beginning to wonder if it would ever happen after all the things that have interfered with past attempts. It was well worth the wait. Michael is a terrific model and very easy to work with. It all went so well we are probably going to do this again some time. Thinking about also getting a female model up here so I can work with two figures in the box. I took over seventy photos and have at least a dozen of those that would be good for paintings, which is phenomenal. Once I get going on the paintings more ideas will come to me and I might end up with a nice series (I hope!). I would love to have a one person show in a good gallery in Vancouver or Toronto, but that is putting the cart before the horse. It's a dream. Doesn't matter if it doesn't happen, I have had a great time putting this together in spite of my nerves over it...and why does this stuff make me nervous? It's like a performance I suppose...I want to put my best foot forward for whatever audience sees the results of this. A sort of stage fright. Michael put me at ease immediately.

       

       

       I also spent some time having Mike wrapped in fabric, both dry and then very wet so it would cling to his body better, but those shots are only marginally successful. I still have in mind a figure-as-landscape idea in my head but a lot of trouble bringing it into focus...showing the connection of human beings to the  earth...or something:-) Parts of those shots worked well. Have to think about this more, which means putting it on the back burner of my brain and letting it simmer on its own. The way it can work will come to me when it's fully cooked.

       

       After the modeling session (several hours) we joined Bob, my husband, in the house and had green tea and homemade apple/peach pie and talked for a couple more hours. Then I made dinner - Bob added extra goodies to the salad; roasted filberts, sliced avocado, and home sprouted alfalfa sprouts. Dinner was vegan spinach/tomato lasagna. I had made a big batch in February for the previous time Michael was supposed to come up here but I ended up freezing most of it. It was even better thawed and reheated in the oven with portobello mushrooms and fresh made marinara over the top than it was when I first made it. The substitute for the ricotta is made with nuts and tofu and absolutely delicious.  Michael ate every bite and seemed to relish it - even a carnivore has to admit that vegan can be tasty when it's done right. Nice with steamed broccoli and Italian olive bread with garlic vegan margarine. 

You can see more of Michael's posing on http://www.modelmayhem.com/MMWard  and http://www.facebook.com/mcgregor.ward

       Michael has a large collection of period costumes to wear for modeling also, including a full suit of armor with chain mail. He also likes to draw and paint and has two grown sons who live with him and nine adoreable Beagles!