#springstudiosoho

[jeremiahvanwagenen]

Art Model Archives.. Done by Artist Fred Hatt @fredhatt at the former Spring Studios Soho Art Model Jeremiah van Wagenen #FredHatt #springstudiosoho #art #inspirationtocreate #malefigure #inspirationtocreate #lifeinnewyork #projectfabulosity #divosupportingdivos #artmodeljeremiahvanwagenen (at SoHo)

[jane-yu]

Minerva’s 79th orbit

Fun house

[jane-yu]

Goddess Minerva

Minerva, the great. Minerva, ageless. Minerva, the miracle. Minerva, my metamorphosis.

This is the right place. I found out from someone who’s been a patron of Spring Studio since the ‘90s that everyone who attends is the black sheep in their family. Anti-institutional and a ballast for old, real New York. Still in Soho. How does she do it?

“At this age you get to know a few tricks,” Minerva winks at me.

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Learning to draw the figure with Minerva is tuning into the otherworldly consciousness underlying your quotidian rituals. Your gestures signify more than your moods--they bear witness to how you govern your choices, even unwittingly. “You like to eat the dessert first,” she points out, squinting through her glasses. 

My mapping is patchy with contradiction: rigid coils hiccuping throughout fragments of verisimilitude. The model’s upper body has contours but the bottom half I’ve wrought is questionable. (I recall the time my friend complained that I gave him no chin). His feet are nascent at best, and his legs, spindly. The body in its entirety overwhelms me; I like looking at the face. 

“You’re like the bullfighter who goes straight for the spot between the eyes,” she goes on. I summon her for an intervention. Minerva starts to edit my lines with no hesitation, each stroke empathetic and committed. I look at the model before us daubed in darkness and light, I look at the cloud of her hands. Her gestures unfurl like the spirality of petals, enhancing your thoughts in a more freeing, circular movement. She pulls back and we look at the drawing together. The model is now rendered into Edenic grace through her vision. “Loosen the hand.” 

“Okay, I’ll try to start with the appetizer next time,” I reply, knowing that I probably won’t.

Minerva laughs. “It’s a six course meal,” she reminds me.

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Another 5 minute pose. “Ah, very good. You’re a classicist,” Minerva comments as I lift up my charcoal and smear a stray line. I notice some smudges on her rosy cheek.

“What are you?” I ask.

“I’m a classicist, too. A romantic classicist.”

Her comment is a great equalizer (we all want to be more like Minerva). For a moment I am cast into the realm of divine pursuit, the same paint of the Impressionists dripping primary hues. I feel warm. The valor of rugged individualism is exposed as a myth; the only way out is in, way in, feel, as Minerva emphasizes, her hand scribbling in the air demonstratively. Don’t think, just feel.

I don’t ask her about the other variants of classicists.

[jeremiahvanwagenen]

The Art Model draws a Portrait by Jeremiah van Wagenen at the former Spring Studios Soho. #portrait #art #artmodeljeremiahvanwagenen #mensstyle #fashion #springstudiosoho #lifeinnewyork #divosupportingdivos #gay #projectfabulosity (at SoHo)

[jeremiahvanwagenen]

Art Model Archives.. My attempt at Drawing at the former Spring Studios Soho / Art Model Jeremiah van Wagenen #art #drawing #springstudiosoho #lifeinnewyork #fashion #mensstyle #inspirationtocreate #newdaynewdoors #divosupportingdivos #projectfabulosity #artmodeljeremiahvanwagenen (at SoHo)

[jeremiahvanwagenen]

Art Model Archives by Artist Jiri Stavovcik at the former Spring Studios Soho / Art Model Jeremiah van Wagenen #jiristavovcik #art #springstudiosoho #lifeinnewyork #newdaynewdoors #fashion #mensstyle #inspirationtocreate #projectfabulosity #artjeremiahvanwagenen (at SoHo)

[jeremiahvanwagenen]

Christopher Pierce post this on his Facebook.  I've been Art Modeling off and on for over ten to fifteen years..  Spring Studio Soho is an important part of my life in New York.  To share something I'd say a bit deeper and personal.  Art Modeling to me has been my stage a way from a stage.   It's been my performance art.  Minerva Durham who's run this Studio has been a light in my life.  I wish I was down there more often.  I have been in and out for over ten years.  It's been one of the few Studios I've continued at more so for my own purposes of really enjoying the incredible diverse talent that comes through.   Minerva's a true beauty of passion and depth.  I'm always in pure awe just listening her.  My thoughts on the scene today with Art and New York.  People move far away to come here to pursue what books and magazines and television shows.. even schools and history has created a glory of a thrill rush of what it really means to pursue your talents in a great city like New York.  Even in the ten years I've been here.   It's become a cement jungle of many slamming their heads into glass of nothingness.  Nostalgia is a powerful World of wonder I feel keeps many of us here.  And sadly all the hype is really just a dream.  Interesting in this article Minerva touched base also on I've read from Cate Blanchette when she spoke about New York.  It's not that New York's changed.  The World's changed.  For myself.. My advise to anyone there out there.. No matter where you are.  Create.  Because many like myself too in NY get caught in survival mode of just getting by if that.   Unfortunately passing up alot just to do so.  Art Modeling has allowed for myselt to create and listen to what's inside.   Peace-Love-Inspiration-Never forget who and what you're about-Create wherever-Spirituality-Happiness-Fabulosity-Love to Spring Studio xo

SoHo Artist’s Studio, a Space Detached From Time, Is Forced to Move

The Spring Studio in Manhattan, now surrounded by luxury residences and stores, has been a place for drawers to sketch live models since 1994. Its lease will expire…www.nytimes.com|By JAMES BARRON / http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/12/nyregion/an-artists-retreat-in-soho-long-on-moody-lighting-and-grit-is-forced-to-move.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share