Life-drawing club aims to boost body positivity
BODY confidence, body positivity and mindfulness are the aims of a life-drawing club that is starting next week.
When Caitlin Grupping was feeling a little uninspired while studying for her professional exams a couple of years ago, she decided to Google life-drawing in Guernsey to unleash her inner creativity.
‘The only thing that came up was something with the U3A, which at the time I had no idea was for people slightly further on in life than me,’ the 27-year-old said.
‘They said I could model for them if I wanted, and I said yes – but to be honest I was terrified standing there in a dressing gown in front of complete strangers.’
After the session, Miss Grupping looked at the drawings and thought they were absolutely beautiful.
‘I’ve got a history of body dysmorphia, but I realised that if I thought the paintings of my body were beautiful, I am too.’
Having been a life model for other groups since then, Miss Grupping said it is one of the most meditative and positive things she has done.
Wanting to embrace this more, she decided to set up a life-drawing group for all artistic abilities to meet every Wednesday from 7pm until 9pm upstairs at the Golden Lion pub.
‘Being 27 I thought “how can I make this better?”, and, well... alcohol,’ she said.
‘It will hopefully make the event more social, will help some people to relax and take some of the pressure off.’
Those attending will not be chosen at random to be the model. Keen life models are already lined up.
‘I have recruited a bunch of people who are happy to model, lots of them have done it before and said how empowering it is,’ she said.
‘But not only is life-drawing a great way to boost the self-confidence of the model, it’s a really important teaching moment.
‘There’s no way you can sit there and suck in your stomach for 20 minutes, so it shows people, especially those at school-age, what real bodies look like without all the editing.’
The sessions are not formal, and Miss Grupping will supply paper, charcoals, pencils and something to lean on.
But those who want to bring their own art supplies can do so, too.
To book a slot email: grupping.art@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page Drink and Draw Guernsey.
Sessions cost £10 and people attending are asked to drink responsibly, be respectful and ensure they have a safe way to get home.
Arrive at 6.45pm to grab a drink and socialise beforehand.
