GLORIA and THE LIFE STUDY CLASS

One bright day, when I was thinking about nothing much else, Gordon suddenly said ‘Gloria, have you ever considered posing for a Life Study Class? You know, one of these events, where you pose in the nude on a podium in the middle of a studio and let artists around, do drawings and paintings of you'.

Well, from long experience you will already appreciate that I have never yet objected to appearing in the nude should the occasion demand, so it seemed quite an idea.

But then I wondered why, with my track record as a painter, I should not be sitting around with one of my three easels (that’s another story) actually doing the painting myself. A waste of talent otherwise.

‘OK’ said Gordon, ’Let’s rehearse here at home first to see how it might be arranged. You take up some body positions now and I’ll try piecing a plan together’.

‘Tell you what!’ he said. ‘ If it’s really a nude painting class then by definition the painters should all be in the nude, and conversely, you can be fully dressed!’

‘The problem is where? We need studio space, preferably north-facing windows. I know several church halls, but obviously one has to show consideration’. ‘That’s alright’ I told him. ‘I’ve got plenty of bikinis to lend to the bashful. Untouched by human hand, you might say. My white painting coat can stay at home this time’.

Then I thought of something very special extra. A first off! Last week I stood up in the garden to push the wheelbarrow. This time I might try standing up for the first time indoors! Gordon has always said that one reason people feel I don’t pose a threat is because they see me sitting down, but perhaps I could manage to put a bit more life into the Life Class – get it?

What we need is a convenient door for me to hang on to, thus:-

Rather glamorous, don’t you think?

The great question is whether there will be a suitable door at the hall where there will also be suitable light from windows. 

Miracle of miracles, we find a healthy hook on the wall at just the right height, suitably placed with window light from the left. Absolutely ideal!

So now you know that the whole setup is arranged to accommodate the least important person in the scene!

As you see it wasn’t long before I felt quite at home with my other sisters. And a colourful group we made too, you must agree.

We were thinking that afterwards, with a bit of practice, we could go on tour together as a Girl Band! We would be unique, even outstanding, you might say. Even the Andrews Sisters never thought of performing sitting down!

Ends