Ash

 Life drawing from a few days ago. The model was Ash. I went to Minerva's Studio, the former Spring Street Studio. I used to go there all the time, but it's been awhile. I'm glad it's still around.

More Life Drawing

 Got to another figure drawing session at Minerva's Studio today. The only session that fits into my schedule these days is the Long Pose session. I don't really like only having one pose over the three hour session, but that's what I got right now. 

Return to Figure Drawing

 It's been a long while since I've done any live figure drawing. Two years, maybe? Longer? Fortunately and amazingly, Minvera Dunham's drawing studio is still around, and I got to a morning session today. Rusty, rusty!

Good-bye Minerva Studio

It's a recurring lament, at least once a week, that some longtime NYC business is going under. From giant stores to mom-and-pop shops, high-end restaurants to dive bars and diners, one by one they fall. It's almost always because of the rent.

A week ago I learned that the latest victim was the life drawing studio I've been going to for over 15 years. Maybe longer; I don't remember exactly when I first entered Minerva Durham's studio. It was a cramped, cluttered basement with a small platform surrounded by rickety chairs and tables. There were three drawing sessions a day, strictly scheduled and monitored. Many of the other life drawing classes I've been to are as much social events as drawing sessions, with music and drinks and people socializing as they draw, or pretend to. But this studio was serious. No soundtrack or wine bar, and silent as people worked. Minerva opened the studio almost 30 years ago, and there were some serious old-timer regulars who looked like they'd been drawing there since Day One. The models were usually great, and the atmosphere was quiet, studious, non-judgmental.

I haven't been there as regularly these past few years, but at one time I would go to a session at least once a week. Just a few weeks ago, I was thinking about if I would be able to work some evening classes into my new schedule, and that's when I learned that the studio would be closing on July 31. They are looking for a new, cheaper location. Maybe they'll find it. A few years ago, she was put out of her original Spring Street location, and I figured that was that for the studio, but in fact it did re-open on Broome St. a short time later. So maybe there is hope for a third life.

These are a selection of drawings I did there over the years, somewhat randomly selected. It was a trip looking through my stockpile of drawings, most of which I haven't looked at in years. Some I remember quite well, others I don't remember doing at all. Some made me happy to see how much I've developed, and many made me feel like I haven't improved at all in all these years!

UPDATE: I learned today that they have found a new space on Canal St.! A happy ending after all!

Donna

Life drawing from last week's visit to Minerva's Studio.

Trying out something new for these, using black and white charcoal pencil on toned paper.

Katie

Done at Minerva's Studio on Broome Street last week. The session was one long pose, which is not my favorite. I prefer to have the mix of quick poses working up to a long pose. But, it was the only day I was free, and I wound up enjoying it. Fortunately, I was able to switch seats in the latter half so I could get a different view.

Jaquelyn

Back to life drawing. I can't remember the last time I went. It felt great to be back at it. The model's name was Jaquelyn. I was back at Minerva's Studio. This place has been around forever, and is a great place to draw. But like many small outfits in this city, it's struggling to survive, financially. They have a Go Fund Me page which is a very worthwhile cause.

Andrea

This week's figure drawing. The model's name was Andrea. I went on a different day than usual, and this session was one long pose, so no quick sketches. Some of the artists there spent a full three hours on one drawing, but that's not my thing. It was good to be able to spend more time on a figure drawing, but I'm not used to spending that much time on a single pose. I messed up the proportions on the first, and then switched positions for a third drawing.

Theresa

Life drawing at Minerva Studio last week. The model was named Theresa.