Modeling looks easy. It seems simple to just have your picture taken and look pretty. The truth and realization behind the pictures is a much different reality especially if the work involves severe muscle strain and no clothes.
That’s a reality all too familiar for Paul Nix, who models in the nude for art classes at Bakersfield College.
Nix worked at a variety of odd jobs, including DJ and general construction to try to pay for his tuition at BC. Going to school full time didn’t give Nix enough time for full-time jobs, and the part-time jobs weren’t bringing in enough money.
Last year, Nix was asked by a friend, an art major, if he wouldn’t mind modeling. After investigating the kind of work he would have to do, Nix took the job. He needed the job, and the work looked rewarding.
Nix was nervous at first and compared it to stage fright, saying he had anxiety and sweaty palms. But he got to see artists’ work improve and was happy to see that his time was well spent.
“There’s nothing more annoying than posing for a long period of time and having people not use your time,” Nix said. “One time a student kept talking about a Disney cartoon and was distracting everyone else. After a while I finally just said something, and the guy shut up.”
He has emphasized that there is a time for work and a time for joking. Even though Nix uses a different form of inspiration for his work. He would look through old comic books to find positions, especially for “action poses.” Nix would have to flex and stand in a certain position for a long period of time.
“I would look through old ‘Avenger’ comics and find weird positions of the superheroes pointing at someone,” Nix said.
“I would use that and try to add my own interpretation to keep it fairly original.”
Nix started kickboxing at about the same time he started modeling. His build has changed because of the kickboxing workouts, and it has helped him keep a form of physical discipline that he appreciates. This worked well for Nix, who would often have to hold poses for as long as 45 minutes.
“If it causes you pain, you can stop,” Nix said, “but if I see people working hard I’ll keep posing.”
Drawing the poses isn’t easy, either. Nix’s action poses might only last about a minute, which meant the artists would have to start working with a new pose.
“It’s freakin’ hard,” said Keith Brandon, an art major at BC.
“You’re heart’s all beating fast because you’re trying to draw as quickly as you can. It’s really intense. I don’t know how he does it. I know I couldn’t do it.”
Nix has also done private sessions for individual artists who hired him for their own professional work. They will compromise on poses because new models are hard to find. He has had good experiences but has taken some blame from some artists.
“The best artists will never blame a model,” Nix said. “Good artists learn from their mistakes. In general, I’m not going to take it if the artist blames me for his bad work. Ninety percent of the time it is not the model’s fault.”
Nix thinks of the model as a tool, and if the tool is used poorly it is the fault of the craftsmen and not the tool.
Although Nix has been working as a model for more than a year, he has no long range plans for the business. His goal has been orientated toward acting and theater, which Nix seems very passionate about.
“Right now I’m acting in the BC shows ‘Bordertown’ and ‘A Comedy of Errors,’ ” Nix said. “They’re a lot of fun, and it’s really something that I love to do.”