The Willow Muse: Considerations
Being a fine art model, I am primarily interested in non-photographic and non-video projects, such as drawing and painting. I am still open to some photo shoots, however, due to the rapid advancement in generative AI and facial recognition technologies and the apparent lack of guardrails and rights protections, I am quite cautious about photography these days. (There are, however, software such as Fawkes, to ensure that photos are not misused for training facial recognition AI.)
I usually work with individual artists, but I am open for (small to mid-sized) group sessions if the group centers and elevates queer people and/or disabilities.
I do not do kink, porn, or anything explicitly X-rated, or otherwise inappropriate (e.g., gore, projects that are exploitative or demeaning, and so on). The rule of thumb is: if your finished product cannot be displayed at an all-ages venue, or if your project requires a 2257 form, or if posting those photos can get you banned from Facebook or Instagram, that's a hard no-no. I'm for a natural and sensual look, but not for the overly sexual.
The following are my hard limits and these are non-negotiable and I won't get into a debate over them. If you do not understand these, then please don't waste your time, go find someone else.
- No pornography or anything overtly erotic, including any fetish, bondage, implied or simulated sexual acts, or anything to do with sex toys.
- No cosplay.
- No drag.
- No lingerie.
- No implied, simulated, or actual drug use, self-harm, and/or alcohol abuse, or anything that may appear to promote or glorify them.
- No photography for "pay sites" of any kind.
- No vulgar gesture or poses.
- No gore, simulated blood and/or injury.
- No modeling with (real or fake) snakes, rodents, spiders, raw or cooked meat, or animal fur.
- No training of AI or uploading of my images to a server, app, or website that may feed user-generated content (UGC) to populate or train generative AI.
- No use of body paint, latex, grease, oil, or other similar materials.
- No overt or partisan political propaganda art. (Art as a social practice, or art as a tool of advocacy, is not necessarily propaganda.)
- No sacrilegious art or art that is disrespectful of any place of worship of any faith tradition, sacred site, venerated objects or relics, or cemetery.
- Unless it is an agreed-upon, bona fide photo shoot, absolutely no taking photos of me — no "reference photos," even with your smartphone. You will have enough time to sketch. If you need an additional session or extended time, just ask me.
- While I love working outdoor in nature, I would only pose nude where it is secluded and private. This does not include urban or suburban parks where children may frequent, nor does it include busy state or nature parks where there may be some random hikers, campers, or mountain bikers.
- I prefer modeling in an art studio or classroom space that is quiet and free of distractions, but if it is someone's private house, either a living room or a secluded backyard (weather permitting) would do. Absolutely no bedroom or hotel room.
While I am doing this for the love of art and not for money, certain reimbursement for transportation costs and other incidentals would be appreciated depending on the distance and time required.
(Effective May 1, 2024) Due to cost increases, I am now asking, from those who can afford, for $25 per hour per session with any partial hour rounded up to the next half-hour. The hours are the entire length of a booked session, not the total length of poses.
Availability: A 2-to-4-hour session may be arranged on weekdays or Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. or some Sunday afternoons between 2 and 5 p.m. in the Greater Portland area. I do not do virtual/online.
Also: I am not taking government (e.g. municipal cultural centers or parks and rec) or school/college contracts, due to some past bad experiences with bureaucracy.
For the most part, I prefer to work with Portland area artists who are:
- An LGBTQ+ and/or nonbinary artist who is working on a queer-positive art project that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
- A student currently taking an online/remote art class at an accredited school, college, or university (for credit or non-credit) or a known community art education program (e.g., art class at a city parks and recreation department or from an art gallery) and in need of a live model for your class assignment or project, and are specifically looking for a queer/nonbinary and minority art model.
- Someone who has a legitimate art project on their mind that I think is super cool.
Other important stuff (that must be said especially in regard to groups and events):
- Do not photograph me or post pictures on social media without my express permission, and even then, I reserve the right to review such images -- in case the group/event organizer does not make that rule explicitly stated.
- Needless to say, I do not do nude in public events (such as art fairs, public demonstration at an artist's booth, community festivals, or any other environments where the unspecified general public with or without children may freely come and go, whether or not such events are ticketed; or any other event where it is video-recorded or livestreamed).
- I have a very limited wardrobe, having downsized significantly during my last move, and due to the fact that it is difficult to find clothes that fit me very well and won't be a sensory nightmare. If you have preferences or ideas around costumes and such, reach out to me and let's discuss.
When contacting me, please include information about yourself and your art, including a link to your portfolio and/or CV. I am only available to bona fide artists or students of fine art. Contact information is available on the main page. Thank you!