In my mid-forties, looking for something different to do in my life, I took up drawing. I signed up for some art classes at a local studio and spent evenings and weekends developing my skills. One Saturday Valerie, the owner, stopped me after class.
"You know I have some advanced classes in the afternoon, don't you? Well, I have a two life-drawing classes and they need a model. I thought I'd ask if you were interested."
I was surprised. "Really. Well, I'd be honored. What's involved?"
She smiled. "Nothing too much. I'll pay you $25 a session which is about two hours. All you have to do is hold a pose for a while. I'll show you what we want. Oh, and by the way, you have to pose nude."
"Nude? I'm forty-five years old! Are you sure that's what you want?" I was nervous about posing nude, that's for sure!
"It won't be any problem, you watch. After twenty minutes it will be the most natural thing."
"Uh, okay. Well, let's give it a try."
So next Saturday afternoon I was in the studio. Her first class was a mix of men and women, mostly women and most in their thirties and forties. I stepped out of my clothes behind a curtain and then mounted the stage. I was nervous. Valerie introduced me to the group, mentioned it was my first time and set me in a pose. Then everyone started to draw.
Valerie was right; after about ten minutes I didn't even notice I was naked in front of a group of men and women. Nobody whispered and pointed. Everyone was concentrating on their work; their eyes going from their easels to me and back again.
After two hours the first class left and I took a break before the second one. Valerie brought me some tea while I waited. "You did fine," she said, "see how easy that was?" I had to admit I did like it.
The second group began to trail in. I was surprised to notice that it was a small group; three men. They were all in their late forties or mid-fifties. Valerie introduced me again, set me up for some poses, and then retreated back to her office.