NYC art-school models: John

John Forkner, 29, Hell’s Kitchen. Models at Grand Central Academy, SVA, Parsons, New York Academy of Art.

How did you come across this line of work?
I had to get in really good shape for a production and one of the actresses was a figure model who encouraged me to try it out.

How did you prepare for your first modeling experience?
I had my friend brief me on modeling "rules.” Probably the best advice she gave me was how to find the same pose again after a break: “Go to where the pain is.”

What's some advice you would give to a prospective art model?
Not everybody who models needs to a six-pack. The important thing is to be able to hold interesting poses and act like you want to be there. If you plan on doing it for several hours a day, it's essential you find a good massage therapist.

What do you think about other art models?
You've got a lot who obviously just want to get naked, then you have new age types who use modeling as their yoga and meditation time, and then you have all the people who've clearly never done it before.

What art do you like?
I study Michelangelo and other Renaissance painters when trying to come up with poses. I also find the Met’s sculpture wing really encouraging; it’s like, "Hey! I kind of look like that!"

Do you prefer modeling for paintings or sculpture?
With sculpture, you can see what they're doing even when you're posing. Watching a wire skeleton evolve into a human figure is sort of a Garden of Eden experience, where God makes the first man out the dust from the ground. It's made me appreciate just what an incredible thing the human body really is.

See more art-school models