Anoush: Art Model Unguarded
By David
Anoush is a rare example of photographer turned Art Model. Here experiences from both sides of the camera give her a unique perspective on the process of modeling and creating art.In this candid interview Anoush vulnerably reveals some of the things that inspire her and challenge her most as a model. From the outside many people may assume that models must be confident and take “beauty” for granted. Anoush helps us see that even an art model may often sees beauty as something to be found in others, rather than in oneself. Anoush shares that to her, it’s the willingness to be seen, rather than any standard that occurs to her as real beauty.
Beauty is honesty. I think that the people who come across as beautiful or charismatic are the ones who are genuine in what they are. Honesty is compelling. We are not looking for perfection in someone we meet but a chance to be close to them, to connect with them in a real way and to understand them. When we see someone who is unguarded and who is not afraid of being seen, that is beauty.
Beauty is sometimes confused with prettiness which to me is a description of the physical features a person is born with. But prettiness doesn’t always make someone beautiful or interesting to look at/be around which illustrates to me that there is a difference.
How did you make the transition from photography to modeling?
There was a long gap in between the time when I was very active as a photographer (non professionally) to when I began working as a model so aside from my being generally drawn to creating art I don’t really feel as though the two were related.
Being so active in the photographic community at this stage in my life is what’s gotten me back into taking photos so its almost happened the other way around!
Photography did come first though, that’s what I studied after high school and I guess I was exposed to modeling a little bit at that time as I often posed for the other students but it wasn’t until 7 years after graduating that modeling made its way back into my life, this time as a profession.
I am a Cancerian, they say that we are drawn to all things related to photography, I guess that this is true for me!
What was it like for you the first time you did nude modeling? How do you relate to nude modeling in general?
To be honest, I really don’t remember the first time… You’d think it would be a memory which would stand out but I honestly have know idea who it was with or how I felt about it.
The way I feel about it now? I feel incredibly blessed to be able to work nude. I’m not a nudist, if I had the choice to be naked all of the time I would not be but I really feel so lucky to have an excuse to visit the most beautiful locations in the world and to be undressed there, or dressed up, or just to be there and be free to express whatever I’m feeling at the time.
What’s your favorite part of creating this type of art? Can you tell us about a time when you felt this the most?
Someone once told me that they view the act of making photos as a passport to a situation which would not have otherwise existed and I’ve thought a lot about that since. I see this as true and it’s certainly one of the things that I love most about modeling.
Each day is such a unique journey and I end up in so many different situations which I would have never otherwise experienced.
I was pondering this especially one day earlier this year, it was about 5AM and I was already on top of a waterfall, wearing an exquisite white headdress, it was southern Australia and Autumn and extremely cold. We had a whole team of artists on site, most of us had been up since before 3AM as the look involved heavy makeup.
We were all incredibly busy people who had taken three days out of our hectic schedules to do this thing.. None of us were making a cent by being there and we were all working very hard but I don’t think that any of us would rather have been anywhere else. And I wondered: for what?
The image still hasn’t been released but I don’t really think about it.. so do we go to such efforts to make pictures I wonder or is making art just an excuse to create a fantastical moment which existed just for us?
Art allows us to push ourselves to explore life in a deeper way which is very much the way I want to live so I feel extremely fortunate to be walking this path right now.
I would say that the greatest challenge for me has been in staying appreciative of what it is that’s unique about me and not giving in to the urge to crave the kind of beauty which makes other models special instead. I don’t find this difficult as such but it is certainly a mindset which I’ve needed to engage more so over the past few years (while I’ve been modeling) than was previously required.
This is a great skill to have in life in general though so I’m glad for the opportunity to fine-tune it. Our whole lives we are surrounded by people who are amazing in so many different ways and so to learn to appreciate our own qualities as much as we love theirs is truly liberating.
I feel it’s only very recently that I’ve developed a good sense of where my strengths as a model lie and I’m finding it much easier now to evolve them. This has also been a huge energy saver as I’m not worrying so much about mastering other things which I’m not as well suited for at this point.
Any advice for someone who wants to know how to become a model?
I think that if you find you’re drawn to modeling then go for it! If something is on your mind then it’s usually for a good reason. The reason may be shallow or it may be deep. You may need to prove something to yourself or you may need to prove something to the world or maybe, like me, you just feel compelled to create in this way with no apparent answer as to why. I don’t believe that there is a right or wrong reason to try new things, my life is purely a journey of intuition and I’m a strong believer in following your heart so even if you don’t end up with a career as a model then at least give it a go and for as long as each shoot is teaching you something new then it’s worth your time.
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