Robert bricker
My name is Robert Bricker, realist figure sculptor and owner of Bronze Craft Foundry for Sculpture for 33 years, with studios in Charlottesville and Waynesboro, Virginia. I specialize in realist portraiture from tabletop size all the way to to monumental plaza bronze sculpture. I constantly hire models for both my figurative sculpture and also for the 4 figure drawing classes I teach every week.
I am happy to inform you that one of my very best female nude models has moved to your area, and is interested in modeling for your figure study groups. Sophia Franco has exceptional vigor in the figure modeling arts, opting for calisthenic, dynamic poses that literally 'inspire' the artist's work. She is a professional engineer/scientist/astronomer by day, but by night she is a dancer of various disciplines. Her professional pay scale is far in excess of the normal nude model's wage, and yet she is 'driven' to model for the figurative arts. She has studied figure poses from Art History, and she brings bona fide creativity and imagination to her modeling sessions. Your figure study organization will be bettered by her exemplary skills and 'art of figure modeling'.
-JANUARY 2017
ShirleE grody
Sophia is among the very top models. Her thoughtful and well-conceived poses, her energy and endurance, her positive attitude and creative leanings, her willingness to collaborate and contribute are what put her up there. No lazy poses from Sophia; even her reclining and more contemplative poses help the artist to mine line and form beyond the surface of things. I miss her, and I envy whomever is next fortunate enough to draw or paint or sculpt this extraordinary woman. Let me add that Sophia is punctual and respectful, and deserves the same in kind!
-JANUARY 2017
JEAN SAMPSON
I have co-proctored a twice-a-week Life Drawing session for many years at McGuffey Art Center in Charlottesville, VA, and have been greatly inspired by our models who work hard at helping us make wonderful drawings and paintings. Modeling takes tremendous physical and mental strength, as well as a certain familiarity with one's body and a desire to achieve and hold an inspiring pose. A good model studies paintings from art history to learn classical poses and other poses that have shown the beauty and grace of the human body. Sophia Franco is a model who fulfills all of the qualifications stated above, and more. She is an Argentine Tango dancer, and embodies the beauty and grace of that exquisite dance form when she poses. She is the ONLY model who has been able to (or even attempted to) stand on her toes for an entire 20 minute pose! Sophia is able to fulfil the requests of the artists who are drawing her and hold her pose without movement because she is so well-conditioned. She is a delightful woman who will be the inspiration for many beautiful drawings and paintings if she is the model for your drawing or painting session.
-JANUARY 2017