An Artist's Muse for: 'The Everyday Beautiful'...

Hi there,

So, having been secretly practising on and off for the past year or so at work with a couple of colleagues, I'm finally in a position to begin the first major body of work since my Art A Level.. -and the first project featuring a whole new style of drawing for me too...

'The Everyday Beautiful' is a simple project that wants to shine a light on the all-too-often unseen and/or unappreciated moments in life that we secretly fall in love with, but which are also increasingly dwarfed by the modern fixation on the all-too styled, posed, filtered, and photoshopped moments that we often choose to celebrate instead.

Either by nature or by design, I think we've generally become perhaps more-than-a-little too narcissistic in recent times? Of course we should be free and proud to celebrate, show-off, and treasure those 'peak' moments of glam and luxury - but my argument is that perhaps the balance is a little off right now, and we should take more time (and perhaps even, care) to celebrate the 'everyday' just as much..?? 🤔

I always think back to relationships I've had, where it's often not the dressed-up or 'sexy' moments that I appreciate the most in absence, but more those candid moments that we're privileged to share in private - perhaps when they're hunched on the sofa watching TV, or doubled-up on the end of the bed putting their socks on - when you look at them quietly and think 'Wow, how lucky am I..?!' or just really appreciate how beautiful they are - even in the unposed and unscripted moments.

And so it's those moments that I want to celebrate with this project. That doesn't mean to purposefully try and beautify 'ugly' moments though - I'm not trying to be too avant-garde here! 😅

I just want to try and honour those little snapshots by manufacturing actions and moments of the everyday; focussing in on them as smaller sections (just like the most recent example in my portfolio, and the thumbnail here) to not only highlight them, but also anonymise them - because this one isn't about the person, it's about the moment.

I think it's also probably important to stress that although this is about the body (which includes the face etc too btw), and that will naturally then involve at least some implied nudity along the way, I do also want to involve clothing etc too - this will just be very carefully used in order to not distract from the body. i.e. Any and all clothing will be very plain and white, so that it doesn't take up the lion's share of time and effort in creating the drawing (for example, if it had intricate patterns or textures). So think things like baggy white T-shirts or similar appropriate clothing, or even towels (which could in practicality have normal clothing underneath, for example).

Note: I'm not interested in doing or creating anything even remotely sexualised either btw. As an artist who naturally involves elements of female nudity in my work, and also have a hand in Primary Education, I actually care a great deal about my social responsibility, and go to great effort (with your help too, please!) to not end up sexualising the everyday. Another reason why this project suits its anonymity too, I might add.

But in short, there's a million-and-one different scenarios and combinations to this, and each person will bring something new to the proverbial table!

I'm working from a new venue in central Morecambe, just a stone's throw from the promenade, which is flooded with natural light, and surrounded by relative peace and quiet - I don't drive, so I'd suggest it's probably essential that you're able to drive, to meet me there..?? I naturally expect to compensate for travel too, but would nevertheless prefer someone particularly local, just because I'd be keen to make this something of a recurring process, if and when convenient.

I obviously fully expect to pay for your time as well, and have hourly rates of pay in mind - but given how the nature of the content involved can vary wildly, that will depend on what we plan to do.

Lastly, I like to think that I know what (and who!) makes a good drawing, and I therefore already have an eye on certain people - but I'm just putting this out there to find people who perhaps either share my view on the above, or who would just fancy giving the casual artist-muse process a go, who might not necessarily be on my radar..? And even better if they turn out to be some of the people I have my eye on already! 😊

I would also say that I do generally prefer drawing quite 'normal' people, like my friends, particularly because they're so naturally unposed (which especially works well for a project like this), but I'd be an absolute fool to limit myself, and I'd ultimately like to celebrate as many different people as possible along the way anyway!

So, in any case, well done for getting to the end of this essay (eek!) - if you have any questions, then please get in touch!

And so I look forward to speaking to you very soon..?! 😊

Kind regards,

Alan Xx