The first time

The first time I modelled for an art class, I was 13 years old. I was very shy about it at the time

of course. Though I felt quite comfortable in my skin, I didn't dare to talk about it in public when I was younger. I began modelling regularly from the time I was 19. More than 13 years ago already.

I love the atmosphere, the buzz of being surrounded by a bunch of creatively driven people.

The scribbling sound of markers, pencils and other tools purposely scratching surfaces.

The concentration. The unison. The sense of being in the here and the now, in acceptance

of what is. Comfort and discomfort. Action and inaction. Alone and together.

The challenge of finding new shapes and new expressions. The body is a vessel, but which stories can we transmit? To question oneself.

This is a picture of a picture of a drawing made by Koen; way back when..during that very first class I modelled for, when I was just 13!