Stepping Out: A Return to Public Spaces
Preparations for leaving the studio. | All images by Artist rewilding.
For some artists, the studio is a sacred sanctuary—a private place where deep focus is possible and necessary surrounded by the materials and tools needed to explore. But for Artist Rewilding, the time has come to step out from behind closed doors and reintroduce ourselves to a new challenge: group sessions with a live art model. It’s a move that feels exciting, but also, a little nerve-wracking.
This shift harkens back to the days in undergraduate programs, where working from live models in front of classmates was an integral part of the creative process. Yet since those formative years, many artists retreat into more private workspaces, where the interaction between artist, model, and audience is limited. Most public educational systems are built on group learning. Kids gather while the teacher engages the group; this continues through higher education. So, for artists, the shift from working in public to private happens often after undergraduate studies.
For Artist Rewilding, one of us has spent twenty-two years creating art in a private studio, only sharing finished pieces. This private practice has lasted longer than the combined time spent working publicly as a K-12 and undergrad student. So, years later, we are preparing to navigate the uncertainties of working in front of an audience once again.
Early registration and arrival, secured us with easels, tables, and chairs.
Working with a live model in an open space, under time constraints, feels like stretching a long-forgotten muscle. The presence of others—whether it's the model or fellow artists wandering, chatting, and asking questions—creates a dynamic energy that simply isn't possible in the solitude of a private studio. This lively atmosphere adds an entirely new layer to the creative process. Yet, despite the discomfort, the muscle memory remains, helping to reconnect with our craft.
Artist Rewilding.
This shared experience has been so inspiring that we are taking steps to carry it forward. In collaboration with a local arts council, we are scheduled to propose an initiative that supports a regular practice for both beginner and experienced artists. The initiative aims to create a space where artists can gather to practice drawing or painting from a live model, while also deepening the community’s connection to the arts.
Special thanks to: