The model student

Though the thought of modeling nude in front of a class full of art students may make some people blush, for SF State student Anna-Lisa Vander Valk it's much more than a way to make ends meet.

"Modeling is like dance, it's performing, " said the 31-year -old graduate student who took a break from her busy schedule.

Vander Valk poses for art classes on campus and clients throughout the Bay area, whenever she can find time in her busy schedule.

Far from the stereotypical image of a prim schoolteacher, the tattooed and athletic student juggles the art-class modeling with numerous hobbies and tutoring jobs as she works to earn her teaching credential.

Six years ago, though she knew that teaching was in her future, Vander Valk hadn't considered modeling as a way to earn money. But while taking art classes at City College of San Francisco, she found she enjoyed posing for classmates. An instructor suggested she give nude modeling a try.

"It felt natural to me," said Vander Valk, adding that her initial reaction to being naked in front of strangers wasn't one of embarrassment. The artists respect the fact that the model's job is not easy, she added.

SF State art education major Rochelle Hoggarth agreed, describing the rapport between artist and the nude subject as comfortable.

"No one feels awkward the first time because she (the model) respects herself enough to show herself and help us learn," Hoggarth added.

A member of the Bay Area Models Guild, which serves as a booking agency to connect models and jobs with classes or private artists, Vander Valk earns about $11 per hour and works at her own pace -- usually 10 to 20 hours a week.

Nude modeling is not about the ideal physique, but rather about the subject's free spirit and ability to evoke a mood with her body, she added.

It is for this reason that the agency works with males and females from 20 to 80 years old, of all ethnicities and body types, she said. Anyone can audition due to the fact that artists want to draw a diverse mix of figures.

"You are only as good as your last pose," Vander Valk said, emphasizing that it is important to put yourself in the place of the artist and make sure that you are interesting to draw. If you are a dynamic and evocative model, you can build up a pool of regular clients.

"She is one of our favorites and it's not ever boring to draw her," said Eileen Gerstein, a Bay area artist who is part of an all-female drawing group. Because Vander Valk makes herself part of the group and maintains a good rapport with the artists, Gerstein added , the atmosphere is more intimate than most drawing groups or classes.

For those who may think that the job is easy work that just involves disrobing and sitting around for a few minutes, Vander Valk strongly disagrees.

"It's one of those things where you can do well but it takes a toll," she said. "It involves hard physical work and focusing whether you are moving or holding a pose. On a typical job she may hold a pose for 20 minutes before taking a break. Sometimes instructors or clients may want a series of fast poses to show movement.

Staying in shape is also important for Vander Valk, who says it's important to remain limber for some of the poses she strikes. In her free time she goes to the gym, does yoga, and even belly dances.

As if her schedule isn't hectic enough already, Vander Valk finds reward in teaching Mission High School seniors critical thinking in the Step-to-College program every week. The program helps to bridge the gap between high school and college for students having problem getting through school.

"It's important to give back what you've gotten," she said "It (the program) gives them a taste of what college is like, a taste of something that is there for them."

An artist in her own right, Vander Valk creates both commercial works and fine art for clients. In many instances she feels she can draw upon her experiences as an artist in her teaching.

"Art is connected to every academic field there is," Vander Valk said, eyes lighting up. Some people learn differently and they need something visual or tactile like art in order to help them understand concepts, she added.

"She's very passionate about teaching and sensitive to people's needs," longtime friend Karen Bennett said of Vander Valk. She is more that just busy -- she's working toward her dream, her friend added.

A self-professed nondriver, Vander Valk can often be seen biking throughout the city, but even she admits she's hard to keep up with.

[ Golden Gater Online February 29, 1996 ]

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