Perceive Me: Nude Portrait Sessions
A new social practice component of
"Perceive Me"
The nude portrait sessions started with an invitation from The Other Art Fair in spring 2024. They wanted Perceive Me at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, but instead of just hanging the original portraits, we tried something new—live nude portrait sessions where anyone from the public could pose for professional artists.
48 people signed up over those four days. Regular people, not professional models. Artists, teachers, people dealing with aging bodies, surgery scars, self-consciousness about weight. They chose their poses and had 25 minutes with multiple artists working simultaneously in charcoal, paint, pencil. Private studio space with a changing room onsite. Only the model and artists in the room—no cameras allowed, no audience. 611 drawings and paintings were created. People could purchase their portraits for $25 each, with half going to the artist and half supporting the project.
Then we brought it to Brewery Artwalk in October 2024. More sessions, more people stepping into that space. And now we're taking it to Startup Art Fair in 2026.
What happens in these sessions isn't just about making art. One participant wrote about speaking to her 13-year-old self who thought she was "disgusting" and "ugly"—about unwinding decades of self-hate while standing on that podium. About watching the artists' heads move up to perceive, down to draw. Up to perceive, down to record. She wrote: "Rather than absorbing the judgment - those of us who stepped onto that podium opened ourselves up to love instead."
Artists tell us it changes how they see bodies, including their own. The generosity that happens between artist and model in life drawing—judgment flies out the window and wonder steps in. Participants purchase the "unflattering" angles because the artist rendered them with tenderness. They realize maybe they see themselves in a much harsher light than others do.
This is what Perceive Me has always been about—creating actual infrastructure for body liberation, not just talking about it. The sessions prove this work can scale beyond my own body, that the transformative experience of honest perception can happen for anyone willing to step into vulnerability. Every person who poses becomes part of a growing community of people who've chosen to be seen as they actually are.
"Creating artworks inspired by the live nude models at the Perceive Booth at The Other Art Fair was a transformative event. The models, most had never modeled before, were often nervous before and then after modeling reached a new personal place. Some were elated and literally jumped for joy and gave high fives to the artists. Some wept noting the profundity of the moment. As an artist I was transformed as well. I was fortunate to draw at four sessions and my concerns went from technical doubts and formal artistic worries to embracing the collaborative nature of the event. I let my artworks speak to me of the moment as the models literally bared their souls. And the supportive camaraderie with the other talented and personable artists was palpable. I did not want the drawing sessions to end. I met new friends, and colleagues, and collectors and created drawings that I am proud of." ~Artist Gregg Chadwick
"A life experience like no other. Drawing live nude models with professional models not anything like people who had not undressed in front of strangers before to have themselves immortalized. The artists witnessed tears, giggles, chatter and stoic reactions from the models. And that has nothing to do with what the models may have been feeling in their guts. I spoke to one who modeled a few days later and she said it was indeed life-changing for her. Layers of her own self-talk of negativity were gone. Now I try to imagine myself on that platform rather than behind my papers and pens - and I wonder at the possibilities… and as I write this - goosebumps down to my ankles. Grateful to have been a part of Kristine’s Perceive Me Redux." ~Artist Susan Dukow
"Drawing for Perceive Me: Redux was so moving and humbling. As an artist, we bring a professional skillset to the room. But as a human, we are holding safe space for vulnerability, transformation, healing... I was so honored to be part of that experience for each of the models. I was also astounded at the range of techniques and styles employed by my fellow artists. I had the great fortune to take part in two seasons, and it was remarkable to see the different approaches of how the leads worked with the models and how the artists rendered them. So beautiful! I highly recommend this for both artists and models." ~Artist Theresa Bernadette
"Perceive Me life drawing sessions gave both the artists and the models a way to interact in an increasingly disconnected world. Like live theater, life drawing is an immediate and authentically human experience."
~Alexandra Dillon
"I was deeply moved when witnessing the people who disrobed for the first time and how they allowed their naked image to be painted or drawn by an artist. One can see fear or shame or grief through their first moments posing... but also bravery!!! Women particularly often feel they do not measure up to some unrealistic standard of beauty. Kristine set up rules for creating comfort and respect and so the models being appreciated and then seeing the final results... negative thoughts of themselves they had brought shifted, replaced with a sense of power that they contributed with their inner person and body to a serious artist's creation of a piece of lovely art." ~Carole Goldman
"Sketched and drew steadily for 3 hours, 1 short pose and 1 long pose for each of 6 models. It was very high-energy, no pause in 3 hours, I was amazed to see so many people stepping right up and going for it! One lady with long blonde and silver hair got emotional right afterward and said it was the most incredible thing she'd ever done; a younger athletic woman who was literally trembling with nerves finished her session, jumped up and pumped her fist exclaiming "Yeah! Bucket List!!" A couple with 3 little kids took turns posing, while the other one wrangled the kids. Do you really have any idea how many lives your project has touched? The unforgettable peak moments you have offered to so many people? You're an incredible catalyst, this is truly a gift to the world. The experience made me feel more an artist, I don't regularly sketch the figure so I went back to review classroom and workshop drawings I did 10 or 12 years ago...hey some of those are pretty good...and it came right back. All the artists I worked with were so enthusiastic, cooperative, professional...you attract great people around you." ~Jeff Iorillo