WEEK ONE:

For my second posing session at the Akron Art Space I decided ahead of time not to give the artists too many choices in what I should wear. I took my maroon tights, matching velvet vest,cape, white pirate shirt, thigh high boots and a sword. (Can you believe I actually own all this stuff?!) There were about 13 women in attendance and some familiar talented faces. Unfortunately, that also meant 13 different female opinions on what I should or shouldn't wear. Since I shaved my chest to show off the muscle definition I was pretty adamant about being shirtless. I was told the sword was "hokey". Somebody obviously missed the point of my entire costume. I ended up wearing the tights, boots and slung the cape over my shoulder. It was decided that I was to do a seated pose. I wasn't thrilled because it was going to screw up the way my abs looked. One of the artists insisted I slouch too, which wasn't at all comfortable for my 3-hour session. A lone male artist was meandering around trying to decide whether to paint me or not. In the end he opted to leave. As he was going out the door I heard him say "What's the matter ladies? Couldn't you get him to pose in the nude?" I yelled back "Not at these prices!"

During one of the first 20 minute sessions, one of the women noticed that I was wearing a ring with a purple stone in it. She seemed astonished and commented to all "His ring matches his outfit...." I laughed and said "You think that was an accident? It's called having an eye for detail!" It has helped when I've done photo styling in the past.

I walked around during one of first breaks eyeing the canvases and noticed that most of the women seemed to be painting me for the waist up or my face. Not to mention that nobody seemed to be painting my boots which had cut off the circulation to my feet while I was posing. My friend, Carrie Lewis took advantage of the total package I brought and was painting my whole body.

Another artist in the class, Judy Carducci is also in a Vitamin Water commercial with Akron's basketball phenom, Lebron James. She is the courtroom artist in the commercial. Judy had her pastel drawing of me sketched out in within minutes.

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My second week of posing was much easier. Although, my hip joints had just stopped hurting from the week before. I was just not used to slouching and putting all my weight on my hip bones. I just showed up 5 minutes before the class started and put on my costume. Then, I plopped down on chair and was good to go.

During one of my breaks one of the artists asked me if I liked how she captured my blue eyes. I said "Well, actually my eyes are green...." And sure enough upon closer inspection she asked "Do, you want me to change them?" She did. My friend, Carrie chimed in with "CJ has great eyelids too! I'd kill for his eyelids!" That made me laugh. I've had women at my gym say they'd kill for my legs before, but this was a first.

A few of the artists finished their pieces in the second session. Judy Carducci who did a pastel sketch of me finished can also be seen in a Lebron James, the basketball phenom's Vitamin Water commerical as the courtroom artist.

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My third and final week of posing was very informal. I was starting to become friends with the artists. Artist, Mitzi Lai told me she entered the first painting she did of me in a contest. The same contest she won the previous year. Still waiting to hear the results.

Jana Volkmer did a great pencil sketch of me. Everyone who sees it says I look like I am looking right at them. Unbelievably, Jana graciously gave me the sketch, which I still am in shock over. I love it. You can see more of her work at www.ismudge.com/art/jana

Several of the other artist's works are still being finished and I will have them up on the site when they are complete. (Hear that Carrie?)

The subject of me posing again was also broached. But, they may want me to wear just a smile this time. Hey, that's Pay-Per-View for sure!

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