Discovering The Way of the Muse: A Practical Introduction to Life Modelling

Life drawing has enjoyed a revival at the Horsham Regional Art Gallery recently. This July we are supplementing our drawing session with a very special training event for locals who are keen to contribute to life drawing from the other side of the easel, as the muse.

Jesse Donoghoe, the Empowered Muse, is on a mission to foster the next generation of rural, regional and travelling life models. She is returning to Horsham Regional Art Gallery on Sunday 16 July 2023 to run a very special workshop for aspiring local life models. Jesse has relished being the muse for the gallery’s popular life drawing sessions, and she is now looking to help the Horsham art community build capacity by training up locals who are interested in working as life models.

This workshop is a practical introduction to the fundamental skills and knowledge required to safely and confidently work as an entry-level model in an established, facilitated, non-academic life drawing event. This customised workshop is an abridged version of the full day version, which covers additional competencies required to work in a wider variety of life modelling contexts. It will cover the history of the life model, pose design and execution, etiquette and self care. All Empowered Muse events are based on the values of courage, creativity, connection and contribution. Through this lens, participants are guided to become confident, empathetic and highly professional co-creators of figurative fine art.

The first half of the workshop will be theoretical, wherein participants will learn about the role of the muse and gauge their own personal readiness to embark on the practical training. The second half will be interactive and require participants to be nude whilst practising poses. This is a safe and controlled adult learning environment, conducted by an experienced trainer and facilitator. Participants will be closely monitored and carefully supported to be creatively and courageously vulnerable and successfully complete each learning objective.

Participants are responsible for their own mental and emotional wellbeing and as such are welcome to withdraw at any point during the workshop.

Jesse Donoghoe – model
Jesse Donoghoe is an art model, photographer and life modelling for empowerment coach. She is living proof of the healing and impelling power of redefining one’s self-view through the lens of art. Jesse combines her passion for education with her love of art to facilitate experiences that combine creativity, courage, connection and contribution to positively combat shame, fear and isolation. Jesse has modelled internationally for artists of all media and actively collaborates with passionate professionals in diverse fields including wellness, performance, therapy, academia and fine art.

Instagram: @the_empowered_muse

Please note:

• Every effort will be made by the facilitator to compassionately and empathetically support each individual participant. Notwithstanding, the participant retains ultimate responsibility for their own safety in context of their specific internal state of mind and body at the time.
• There is neither any obligation on the organiser to provide work as a life model, nor is there an obligation upon participants to work as a life model, upon completion of this workshop.