We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yoni Baker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Yoni, thanks for joining us today. Covid has brought about so many changes – has your business model changed?
During the pandemic, I was able to hold virtual sessions! Until that point, there were not that many reliable online meeting places/meetups . Zoom came along and helped soften the blow of my loss of income.
I am now able to work with many art studios all over the world, including New York, London, and Australia. I have a studio setup at the house with lights, backdrop, cameras, and all the necessities to hold these sessions. My model base has now increased.
I have the luxury of creating a new online business with my art modeling while still having in-person sessions.
Yoni, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Both my parents are classically trained artists. I grew up with a great deal of creativity, history and respect for the arts. When I was younger I started hand-building with clay and then got into pottery, creating plates, bowls , vases on the potters wheel.
In high school, shooting films with my friends I became interested in special effects makeup,
I had gotten into art modeling about ten years ago, after making friends with David, whom I had met at a makeup tradeshow . At the time, David worked at Industrial Light and Magic as and animation artist for the father of the Star Wars Universe, George Lucas.
I was already 36 but at that point, had a long list of jobs , and was the lead makeup artist at the Haunted Hotel in San Diego.
Being between jobs yet again David suggested I try art and character modeling, as that is what they had used at ILM for their own reference.
It took me about a year and an anxiety attack to gain the confidence and try art modeling out.
Since then I have been blessed to have worked with some of the best instructors, artists, animators, comic artists, gaming houses, for both the traditional arts and the digital.
I work in a collaborative arena with the instructor, artist, student in a variety schools, ateliers, and production houses. Much of my work is anatomical in nature with some poses in the nude inspired by the classic Roman, Greek design , to the more dynamic action heroes, with props and costumes.
I also have collaborated with many Instructors, schools and photographers to create a library of reference photography .
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being creative with other artists taps into the bare essentials , the spirit that is not surrounded by the clutter of intense influence. So being able to be in that space allows barriers to be broken and a natural relationship to develop and as time and experience mounts better and better results !
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
My mom once said that she always saw me as an actor. As much as we want to deny it moms are right in the end. So leapfrogging from one opportunity to the next, creating contacts, friends and making bridges along the way, I ended up with a great arena to develop my skills as an art model/muse/character reference.
Being at the right place and being open to taking the path where it leads was a huge part. I have a different set of skills as a model with my characters and all my props/costumes, and being a body builder also had something very different to add to the scene and carve into.
Getting noticed and partnering up with online learning with artists, schools and ateliers has been a defining way for me to gain exposure, again in the right place at the right time.
Its been a hustle grabbing gigs where and when I can, traveling long distances and being blessed to be able to stay with friends !
At this point, I am building my library of reference photos, and still collaborating with instructors, private artist and schools.
My new adventures have led me to bachelorette parties! Adding to the celebration of marriage and a new bold future, we laugh, they drink and draw ! I am also able to bring professional artist instructor friends with me as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: bakermodel.com
- Instagram: @bakermodel
Image Credits
Cutter Hays, Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) , Sergio Rebia Saddleback College , Blizzard Games, Anatomy Tools
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