Most people would think they were having a nightmare if they were standing in the middle of a classroom naked. For Stephen MacDonell, a nude model for the College of Design’s drawing classes, posing naked isn’t a nightmare – it’s a job. And he likes it – a lot. Pulse was able to catch MacDonell, senior in philosophy and biochemistry, with his clothes on to ask him some questions about working in his birthday suit.

Samantha Hedum: How did you get this job? How did you hear about it?

Stephen MacDonell: I found it on the job boards quite a while ago and was looking for something new to do, so I thought I’d try it out. I had done it before and thought, “Oh, OK.”

SH: How’s the pay?

SM: To be a nude model here at ISU is $10 an hour – which is not very much – but it’s a fun job and it’s nice to see the artwork when the students get through. I think [Iowa State] pays the lowest for models out of all the state schools.

SH: What is it like being in the middle of the room naked while people draw you?

SM: Really, It’s actually pretty relaxing. You wouldn’t think so. The first time I got up there and modeled, it was a little nerve racking and I was like, “Oh, well here I am.” I had about 30 people looking at me but about a minute into that, it was all gone. There was no tension, no stress.

SH: Are there guidelines you have to follow to keep the job? Obviously, not a dress code, but more like body maintenance and grooming.

SM: Not that I’m aware of. I’d imagine that they don’t want anyone who is .

SH: Hairy?

SM: No, actually they’ve had some models who are very hairy (laughs). It’s more of a hygiene issue. No one wants to work around someone who’s dirty.

SH: What is your favorite or most flattering position?

SM: That’s a tough one. I don’t know. It depends on who you ask, I suppose. People have pointed out various anatomical parts and positions that they find the most interesting or pleasing. I’m generally pretty comfortable with my body. I try to stay in reasonably good shape and I’m pretty happy with my own self image. I’d say my most pleasing assets are my legs and butt. That comes from lots of biking and dancing.

SH: Do you ever practice your poses in the mirror?

SM: I don’t actually practice poses in the mirror, but I do a lot of sports and martial arts. I can incorporate stuff from yoga, tai chi and other martial arts I’ve done and cross it over with my dance background. There are a lot of activities I do [to help me make the poses], but I don’t practice them.

SH: How hard is it to hold a position?

SM: Currently, what I’m working on [consists of] three consecutive, three-hour poses and it does get painful, even if the poses are set up well. They can be pretty difficult. I’ll get numbness in limbs or joint pain and get tension in my spine. Even if there’s just a little bit of torque [in your body], you’re holding it. It can be incredibly difficult.

SH: How do most students react when you “drop the towel?”

SM:The students are very professional. I’ve never encountered any negative feedback or behavior from them. The professors also reinforce that, but even so, there have been students who’ve had problems with certain aspects of the anatomy and that’s obvious in their drawings. That’s pretty amusing, when you see a drawing of yourself with the genitalia missing.

SH: Is there any advice you would want to give someone pursuing a job in nude modeling?

SM: I would say just be polite and professional. I encourage all models to be friendly. If you want to go ahead and try [nude modeling] out, it’s certainly worth it. It’s a lot of fun and you’ll probably learn more about yourself and art than you would’ve expected going into it. It’s kind of neat to see – in a surreal fashion – to see yourself from someone else’s perspective.