Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Roman Enerchi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Roman, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the Netflix show The Magicians but I feel very much like Quentin. Before arriving in the world of musing I was tapped into my magic but nowhere near my full potential. And while it’s only been 6 years, it feels like I’m in another lifetime.
Back in 2019 I was in the early stages of deconverting from my family’s faith of choice while also dealing with life after dropping out of seminary, 3 years into a 4 year degree. At the time, my mother was fighting breast cancer(she passed in 2023) and in 2018, my baby sister lost her first child. As the eldest son of a senior pastor 30+ years in the ministry, this was all world ending. I’m grateful to be alive and only struggling with high functioning depression!
I see now in hindsight, beauty where jagged rocks once decorated my path, but back then I considered God dead to me. Actively looking for opportunities that were greenlit by my newfound unbelief; I came across an Instagram group that seeks to celebrate Afro-sensuality through art. They invited their followers to join them and muse for a night of spoken word, music, figure drawing and photography at the old Apache Cafe (when it was near the Varsity). Perfect. Luckily for me no experience was required because, except for a short obsession on becoming a professional bodybuilder, nothing about my life and upbringing prepared me for that moment. From infancy to early adulthood, one of the core beliefs instilled in me was that nudity is a big deal to God. Typical in most Christian homes right? Being nude in the presence of other people introduces the opportunity for lust and sexual immorality of which God doesn’t approve and so, part of “train up a child…” is a heavy emphasis on modesty. The training I received made me understand that if I wanted to avoid a stern look, disapproving comment or at worst, discipline; it’s best I keep a shirt on as much as possible. I say all this to say, it was a BIG deal for me to be in boxer briefs and bodypaint in front of strangers, some of whom were fully naked!
I understand it may sound weird being greatly affected by the boundaries of my youth as a grown man but I was also less than a year out on my own; fully autonomous at last, relieved of the external pressure to live life as a believer. But you don’t leave an environment zealously dedicated to the salvation of your eternal soul after 28 years without deep rooted attachments to the belief, whether or not they presently serve you. Despite all this, everything about my poses was what you’d expect from a first timer and I gained a small community to help distract me from the growing darkness in my inner Self. My relationship with this darkness began in childhood; the minute I understood that God is watching and he cares so much about how I live he’ll send me to hell over it, unless I respond in acceptance to him killing his son for me. Granted that’s NOT how it was explained nor was it something I had the faculties to fully grasp and articulate at the time, but that’s how “the good news” worked out in my heart and mind. When Gatorade’s Be Like Mike commercial was airing my parents reminded me often, I was to be like Christ! Again, I’m the first born son which means when my siblings entered our world and I gained the ability to self govern, suddenly the expectation of leadership was upon me. An expectation that only grew as I went to school, church and work until I could achieve independence.
However, the harsh truth is, I hardly felt my family’s faith the way I understood it to be felt, as seen and experienced through my parents and other people I considered true believers. I tried praying even though it always felt like talking to empty space. I tried reading the bible but most of the stories were boring and obeying it as intentionally as I knew a believer should, felt immensely burdensome. Church was a nuisance and everything else about my life was essentially a bubble of Christian education, entertainment and human interaction. The end result? I was preoccupied over my general lack of belief, my honest desire to separate from the religion(but remembering hell)and how I was or wasn’t meeting these expectations/standards of God, everyday and nearly round the clock. Additionally, I had to concern myself with being a “good example” to everyone(preacher’s kid remember?) and at any moment I could die; seeing God for judgement or Jesus would return(same difference) so I had to be on my best biblical behavior as much as possible, including thoughts and emotions!
Not yet at an age to be self sufficient and having no tools to convey my struggle effectively without being given more bible solutions, warnings of hell or painful discipline; I lived the best life a double one could offer. Allow me to explain what that felt like in real time. Maintaining “preacher kid, growing in the faith” level appearances while knowing I felt differently inside filled me with angry, judgemental and despairing thoughts regarding Self and God. How was I to stop this invisible war within? Meditation that wasn’t focused on the Bible’s version of God? Demonic. Counseling that didn’t have “christian” preceding it? Not happening! Every year I grew older and deeper in Christian knowledge; and every year my brain generated, stored and repeated the faults this Bible told me I had along with my own cocktail of negative self talk. Part of my inner work has been gaining the awareness to notice where this destructive thought process comes from and how many ways it affects daily life.
My mental health has been one of the greatest hurdles throughout my modeling journey; so much so that for the next 3 years after the Apache “debut” I treated my form of creative expression as merely a hobby, dissatisfied with my livelihood and battling waves of depression. Feeling “not good enough” has been my dragon since childhood. Birthed from and feeding on all my self hatred, this beast has often rendered me stagnant and grounded to the point that flying seems beyond reach. I’m grateful for my time in therapy, the unconditional love within my partnership and my drive to “do the work” necessary in knowing Self. Of course I’ve gone back through my own history, searching for a choice I could’ve made that would lead to a less formidable foe. But looking for anything I could have done differently is a fruitless venture, as the obstacles were necessary. Instead I’ve found comfort, strength and joy in what this process has revealed in me. As a figure model, I pride myself in being able to hold challenging poses with a stillness that rivals art made with clay, no matter the time block. Truly I am a living sculpture. With the fire of fatigue gripping my muscle fibers and recurring mental body scans for accuracy, I will remain immovable in pose. I was used to this, built for it since my arrival on earth. Living diametrically opposed to your truth and wrestling with the morality of it from the cradle is more than enough to set off hell in your being; and I carried this hell while making it look holy.
It was in my mid 20’s, that my first engagement broke off and I turned to dumbbells and barbells twice a day everyday. Eventually a pro bodybuilder/coach took me under his wing and I began what would be a 5-7 year journey to the Olympia stage. Honestly that’s an exaggeration. But I was intensely dedicated and in terms of holding poses, that sport throws you in the deep end. One of the reasons I stand out as an art model is because I pull from this experience often. The “knowing” I have as it pertains to body positioning, accentuating certain angles and utilizing the mind-body connection, to display the grandeur, strength and beauty of the human form all begins here.
Roman, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Roman; residing in the west end, age 36 and I’m a model who also offers touch therapy in the form of cuddles and massages. I began modeling in 2019 but pursued it more seriously as a career choice after my mother passed in 2023. I love being artistically captured; through the camera lens, on the canvas, whatever the medium. In addition to editorial, figure and fashion; I’m also an actor, last year I had a small role in a Tubi movie, (Flew’D Out) and a performing artist. As a figure model, I offer a real life subject experience, not typically seen in most drawing and photography sessions. On a physical level, I’m an anatomy lesson and despite the current limits of my flexibility, I’m greatly inspired by ballet dancers and yogis. I’ve been lifting since I was 15 and after bodybuilding, embraced calisthenics to enhance my body and craft. This lifelong discipline and dedication to fitness gives me a natural edge aside from the fact that I practice poses on a regular basis, excelling me past models who’ve been around for much longer. I’m not merely a photogenic person who can sit very still or “strike a pose”.
When I’m on the podium, you understand why Michelangelo felt moved to sculpt David, why Auguste Rodin created The Thinker or Epigonus, The Dying Gaul. I give timeless material. As a high fashion, editorial model and brand ambassador I make clothing very attractive, even to individuals who prefer nudity. My unique swagger, imagination and comfortability with the camera is contagious, exciting and awe inspiring. It’s been healing for my inner child who had to dress moderately conservative most of his life. He comes through heavy as I strut along the runway or create poses that generate interest for whichever brand I choose to represent. I’m passionate and proud about being a highly melanated, male muse. The portrayal of melanated people through various art forms in this country has oftentimes not been powerful or positive. Whether it’s being subjects on auction blocks and erotic freak shows disguised as science(think Sarah Baartman) or all the 21st century imagery contributing to our negative stereotypes; our portrayal has been largely removed from our hands. I take pride in operating independently; deciding for myself how to express my vision, who captures me and who I collaborate with.
As an intuitive massage and touch therapist, much of my work includes providing a safe space for women who have been touch deprived, have a negative relationship with touch or need relaxation.I’ve been intuitively massaging since ‘07 working shifts at a local restaurant and since servers spend so much time on their feet, I had plenty of clientele. But it wasn’t a business for me back then, I simply enjoyed figuring out how to undo the “knots” and see relief wash over their being. This little joy of mine served as an education and combined with my kinesiology degree, it gives me a unique approach to feeling through someone’s muscular system. I’ve always valued strength along with freedom of movement, I pursue these within myself and set that intention on everyone who lays on my table. One addition to my offerings I’m particularly proud of is somatic shaking. Have you ever stood fully relaxed and hopped in place allowing your arms to move without your control? Feels good right?
Our bodies store trauma and suppressed emotions; it’s not just “big” things like having one’s body violated or being stuck in a depression. It’s every time you betray yourself by not enforcing boundaries, not speaking up or not living in your purpose. It’s the negative internal narrative spoken in your mind over your soul, toxic relationships and sedentary living. This type of therapeutic shake aggressively releases the poisonous buildup that makes us stiff, keeping us irritable, in chronic pain and dis-ease. When I take clients through this form of therapy, their only responsibility is to relax on the table and allow me to provide the shaking. Set to music, some have experienced deep rest and a sense of calm, even orgasm. It feels especially relaxing to those who are neurodivergent because it’s similar to stimming. Touch is so essential to our existence as communal beings that hugs are a kind of medicine, one that most men in particular are conditioned to resist in each other. Hugs contribute to the release of dopamine and endorphins helping us feel good throughout the day and with them we communicate a pantheon of feelings including love, comfort, unity, attraction, trust, companionship and even protection. Since Covid, many people go throughout their daily lives without receiving consistent, consensual touch, let alone a full hug. As a human who enjoys physical contact, it’s a joy and honor giving others a safe touch experience so as to reintegrate them into their bodies and back into their worlds, able to make full use of their largest sensory organ.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Society should understand that the world is beautiful because of artists walking in their purpose. We are the only ones who have the courage to think and operate outside all the boxes our human systems seek to impose on our daily lives. It’s in this spirit that Artists Among Assimilators was born. Early last year myself and some fellow creatives in the west end of Atlanta started a small collective, expanding on the rich foundation already present. In addition to models, our community also includes photographers, body paint and set design artists, wardrobe designers and stylists. In this way we support each other; utilizing our respective skill sets to bring concepts to life for professionals and students alike. As an example, one of our goals is to expose animators and illustrators to more melanated models, as the representation of those with darker skin tones needs work. To use a personal example, my locs typically present a serious challenge for anyone who spends the majority of their practice drawing straight hair. In this light, I see my passion as a necessary service, especially for those who are serious about accurately depicting humans of African descent. The melanated children of today and tomorrow deserve to see themselves, with all their distinctive attributes; not merely as an avatar or simply the brown skin on characters modeled after non melanated people.
Of course another major area of support is financial and as a model who often looks for opportunities to muse in college and university art programs, the monetary funding can go a long way.It’s a huge deterrent to see that if I spend 3 hours gesturing naked in a room full of strangers, the entire institution can only scrounge up 75 bucks. Even clothed, it’s almost as if people think it’s light work to hold dynamic poses still enough for someone to draw your outstretched arm. Or that this temple of mine which I actively maintain, is common to most people. Come now; I/we are living, breathing material, intentionally collaborating with those taking possession and profiting from our image. It is from this symbiosis, that we hone our respective craft to create present and future works of art that touch the hearts of society’s assimilators! So whatever the work, commission or classroom; as it pertains to a person, any subject used should be taken seriously in matters of compensation. Were it not for us, the muse, how else did any historically significant artist translate the human spirit through their chosen medium into the piece for display? Art represents life!
The unfortunate reality of the starving artist is oddly poetic. We are those who dare hold a mirror to society, illustrating the good and bad, hope and despair, the sensual and sadistic, godly and ghastly. This isn’t AI; a powerful yet soulless consequence of our need to monetize art competitively within a capitalist system. Take any element of the human experience and be as detailed as you possibly can. For instance, enjoying solitude or community, witnessing a sunset, sitting in protest, dancing, fighting or love making. You can even include those we manufacture and maintain such as poverty, slavery, hunger, obesity and addiction. Lastly, include feelings like joy, rage, depression, anxiety, happy excitement or tension. Now if you’re truly present, holding your visualization in all its thorough and vivid detail; you’ll understand. The depth of this scene can’t fully be grasped within the technological machine. Intelligent or not, artificially generated works of art are like the striking of a match to a single candle. We are the fire breathers, tasked with defending mankind against the freezing winds of apathy which daily threaten to turn their hearts to ice. Please save those TFP requests, there’s no print to trade without me.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
On a more personal note, one of the most rewarding aspects aside from compensation is witnessing how other artists see and receive me. Whether it’s a raw image, a beginner’s sketch, a sculptor forming clay into the shape of my torso, the admiration for an inspiring pose or relief felt from my touch, I love it all. It feels multidimensional, like I’m experiencing self in different forms. Modeling and touch therapy have been the ways in which I appreciate mine and others’ humanity, feeling and expressing the unique stories of our lives from the outside in.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @roman_enerchi @touchofroman @aaa.fineartatl
Image Credits
Spencer Charles @spencer_charles
Rashad Andre @_rashad.andre
Rashawn Hynes @theheartistphotographer
D The Visualist @d.the.visualist
Empress Iyahade @iyahdaephotography