Finding Mirlk Part 3

The Artress

[THIS BLOG IS A PART OF A 5 PART BLOG SERIES]

                This is the third part of the blog series “Finding Mirlk”, if you would like to get the full extent of the story it is advised to start here: Finding Mirlk: Part 1; Finding Mirlk: Part 2

My quests’ continuance ensued…

Art as a concept is one of the most perplexing methods of self-expression and worldly interpretation. The subjective digestion of art is overwhelmingly polar across individuals. As I’ve tried to rationalize through my years, we tread through our own human voyage collecting particles of influences. These influences contribute to us forming and expanding our view of the world and ourselves. Ever been swayed by a beautiful poem enough to change your interactions with the world? How about a movie that challenged your perspective? Art, to me, and in its various forms, is a very powerful medium whereas these impacts can be measured and have predominate impacts on one’s psyche.

In that vein, I will never know what accounts for good art, bad art, or even understand the deep psychological effects it has on society outside of my own perceptual interpretations.  One thing I do know is that drawing and coloring used to be very therapeutic, so as I continue the quest of self-discover I enter Nude Modeling.

Oh behave! I wasn’t referring to myself, though that would be quite exquisite, but more so of a nameless model henceforth known as ‘The Artress’.

I was all in after discovering the opportunity to draw a nude model, at the cost of a minimal fee no less. Equipped with my wallet and ancient knowledge of art, I sought the store to collect the needed supplies for the event.

Mr. Eraser is used...Frequent and Often

The meet up was on a rather nice evening in downtown Dallas. The location was nothing less than an old building surrounded by gates. From the initial look of it, the olden and weathered building looked like a garage or condemned building. Yet there was a subtle glamour to it.

I sat in the lobby area playing with the new art toys. Short time elapsed before a stranger walked by and said, “Hey, I’ve seen you”. Confused, I retorted with something along the lines of “How?” or “Maybe?”. The response was incoherent, but either way, he waved his hand to come on and so I went. Luckily, it was later discovered that he had seen my face from a registration list, so it wasn’t so strange after all.

We journeyed into the very narrow hallways, he led, I followed. No questions, nor deep chat, I just followed. Upon arrival at our destination, the silent navigator simply opened the door, no knocking just waltzed right in. Like a young puppy, I just followed suit.

Obviously, it was not condemned just old. The inside was rather nice – roomy loft style condominiums. It gave me the vibes of that of a loft style housing where the crazed-drugged artist lives alone and creates beautiful works of art; similar to the “unhinged artist” portrayed in modern entertainment. The bed was on this elevated platform with multidirectional lights hanging from the ceiling.

A middle-aged gentleman met us in the living room and offered us some finger foods (fruit, chips and dip, etc) and, of course, there was an array of liquor for our tasting pleasures. I had briefly thought, this was it for me. I’ve ventured into the den of the wolf where my life was forfeit. I shall be devoured.

Finger Foods and Liquid Courage

Now, lest I remind the reader, I am not this adventurous; however, the vibes were nice if I could only get through my discomfort and awkwardness that I was feeling. To subdue my nerves, a glass of whiskey was all but too generous to offer relief. I snaggled my beverage (Whiskey, neat) and dawdled on over to the living area where a young woman draped in a robe resided.

It appears that we were the first to arrive at this grand occasion. Of course, second to the organizer (middle-aged man) and the Artress.

For the next half hour, people trickled in. General conversations swayed from person to person, each personal story told was more exciting than the last. I came to learn about the history and personal journeys of a very diverse group of individuals. It was very reassuring and to an extent incredibly empowering. One of the most fascinating nuggets of knowledge I learned was that the Artress had never done this before. However, she was extremely enthusiastic about the opportunity to be drawn and explored this way. There was a very surreal excitement in her eyes. 

Alas the time had arrived; the robes hit the floor. Everyone gathered in a circle of chairs around her. The rules were simple, for every 5-10 minutes she would remain in a certain pose stationed around a chair or elegant designed love seat. As time elapsed, she and the lighting would re-shift to focus on a new part of her body and/or position. The entire session expanded between 45 to 60 minutes.

Draw me like one of your French girls...

After the event, the Artress clothed herself and returned to the crowd to a standing ovation. Everyone applauded her and thanked her for the opportunity as they presented their work. As time went on, chats ran dry and participants trickled out just as had they trickled in.  

As one would imagine, I hadn’t done art in years, outside of sitting with my children and doodling, so my work, to me, was poor in execution. Nevertheless, I learned and gained so much throughout the course of the evening it qualifies as a resounding success. In trying new venues that stripped me from comfort and forced me into a new adventure was the greatest gift. Meeting such a diverse group of people, hearing their stories, and not one time being judged by my terrible art; it was a sense of acceptance I’ve not felt in eons.

In summary, go on an exploration and tear away your facade of comfort, you just might learn something about yourself through the eyes of others and, just maybe, through the adventure itself.

- Mirlk