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In the enchanting world of art, where creativity and self-expression intertwine, some individuals dare to embrace the raw beauty of the human form. One such inspiring personality is Dane Halo, a partner in the Canadian—and soon the San Francisco—arts scene, whose journey as an art nude model has been nothing short of mesmerizing.
Photography by Rose McConnell
Dane’s career began at an early age when her mother—a model herself—introduced her to the world of commercial modeling. Through her early teens, while Dane was agency represented, she continued to model for major print and television ads, however, she quit to focus on her high school studies. Dane attended a renowned high school dedicated to artistic pursuits; learning sculpture, painting, photography, and photo editing, and (much to her glee), learned to draw the human form with a live artistic nude model in her grade 12 classroom! She studied art history and fell in love with the work of many historical figures’ works, many of which inspire her to this day. She later embarked on a freelance career at 19 while in college, first posing for life drawing classes, and eventually posing for individual painters and sculptors. Dane's love for the arts and her deep appreciation for the human form culminated in her pursuit of art nude modeling, leading to extensive travel across Europe and North America.
Dane tells us that fashion modeling never really inspired her. "Fashion modeling just wasn't my thing because I was—and am—more curvy than the fashion models in the early 2000s, despite the fact that that’s now, thankfully, changing in the industry," she confides. “I wanted to explore the path to becoming art rather than to necessarily sell to consumers. I studied the Old Masters and felt very comfortable with nudity, so figured I would just give it a shot!” With that fine art background, she also realized the immense potential of art nude modeling as a means to encourage others to view themselves in a more positive light; to see the beauty within their own bodies. When asked about how she interacts on social media with her fans, she mentions taking a refreshingly honest path. “For me, being genuine in how I interact with my surroundings and industry is what it’s always been about. I’m not pretending to live a lavish life or wearing designer clothing. I do my best not to partake in fast-fashion; Ibuy lots of items second-hand that have perceived value in imagery. Goodness knows I’m not buying Louboutins at the store,” she laughs. “The truth is, as a freelancer, I am connecting with my peers and crashing on their living room futons or even housesitting when I’m on the road! It’s really not as glamorous as one might envision in the traditional sense, but it feels real. My followers and fans are getting to know the real me; I don’t hold back.”
However, art nude modeling comes with its own set of challenges. When asked about them, Dane reveals that her own fluctuating body is one such obstacle. "I want others to see beauty in their own form, but I admit that that can be hard to grapple with, myself! I see myself from every angle every day, and sometimes I’m just not going to love what is reflected back at me. It’s an ongoing lesson in acceptance. But that’s normal, and nothing to be depressed about. Being human is about way more than how my meat puppet looks before versus after a big meal, after all," she shares candidly. “And I’m lucky that the people in my life have been largely supportive of my pursuit of
Photography by Ella Sophie Digitals
modeling. I don’t hide my career choices from anybody. I refuse to carry the shame that others might project onto me; life’s just too short, and I’m having the time of my life,” she laughs.
As someone who travels extensively for her profession, maintaining balance and well-being is essential. When she is meeting artists and networking with individuals in unfamiliar territory, she immerses herself in museums and explores the local culture, seeking solace in music and art. Prioritizing self-care, she stretches regularly, takes fitness classes, and follows a healthy diet while also indulging when she can. “Life is about experience, so I eat the donut when I want to. I’m not about denying myself life’s little pleasures,” she says with a smile.
One intriguing topic Dane touches upon is the thin line that separates art nude imagery from pornographic content. According to her, the intent behind the images is what sets them apart. Artistic photos, devoid of eye contact and facial expressions, allow viewers to perceive them in a different light with more focus on story than titillation. “ Often, an artistically-minded image does not break the fourth wall, and does not invite the viewer into the scene with direct eye contact. Humans are biologically adept at reading facial expressions, and so if an image does not include the face, one looks for clues in the body language, letting the viewer come up with their own story. This is the job of the model: to convey emotion through the angles and manipulation of light across muscles. In contrast, pornography is intended to be arousing and has less to do with leading lines or artistic components; it is fairly on its face about what it is. Even swimsuit and lingerie images can be artful and empowering when the intent is there to show personality. I mean, I think we can all agree that a woman in a swimsuit, smiling at the viewer, is not exactly porn, but it’s also not really artful in the classical sense. That grey area is really important to consider because it starts and ends at different places on the spectrum for everybody; different strokes for different folks.” She shrugs. “My own preferences are always to leave something to mystery, even when I am hired to work more in the glamourous/sexy space.”
In her successful career as an art model, Dane cherishes the opportunities to collaborate with celebrated artists and experience their artistic vision come to life. From traveling to some of Earth’s most spectacular landscapes to connecting with influential figures like the Weston family of photographers, Dane's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Of course, choosing with whom to work is of utmost importance in this industry. Dane asserts that the vibe and checking references play a significant role in deciding whether to accept a booking with someone. Respect is paramount, and she refuses to tolerate any form of objectification. Dane values her time and is committed to ensuring that every collaboration produces work both she and the artist can be proud of!
Photography by Aaron Von Hagen
Dane Halo's journey as an art nude model is a captivating tale of self-discovery, empowerment, and embracing the beauty of the human form. To delve deeper into her world and discover the breathtaking art she creates, follow her on Instagram @theredbomb_model.
As we celebrate the essence of art, Dane Halo's journey reminds us that beauty lies not just in what we see but in how we perceive and appreciate it. Her art serves as an invitation to celebrate the beauty within ourselves and the world around us.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background as a model?
Dane: Sure! I have been modeling since I was a baby, thanks to my mother who got me started in the industry. I began with an agency and have been freelancing in Canada since I was 19. I also have a passion for photography and makeup artistry, which I pursued alongside my modeling career. I've been traveling extensively, modeling and networking in Europe and North America, and I believe my background in fine art has allowed me to view art nude modeling as a powerful form of self-expression.
Q: What are some of the challenges you face as an art nude model?
Dane: Dealing with the normal fluctuations in my own body that I encourage others to embrace is sometimes difficult - that’s just the way it is for us all though; we are our own worst critics, and that’s the case for models, too. I want others to see beauty and perfection in their imperfections, even when I have a hard time seeing the things I don’t necessarily adore about my own body… it’s a practice in acceptance, for sure! But that’s just being genuine, I suppose. I have scoliosis which can be quite painful when pushing myself into more angular and contorted poses, but hey… that’s suffering for one’s art, haha! Additionally, I occasionally encounter people who need to be educated about the language and presentation used in the art nude industry, but I refuse to carry the shame that is sometimes projected onto me by others; life’s too short to play by the rules of others.
Q: Maintaining a sense of balance and well-being while traveling extensively can be tough. How do you prioritize self-care during your journeys?
Dane: To maintain balance, I love exploring the arts and cultural scenes in the places I visit; particularly live music and museums. I also try to prioritize regular stretching and taking the odd class at a gym, while maintaining a healthy diet as best I can - always making room to indulge in the things I love. There must be a healthy and happy balance, haha.
Q: There seems to be a fine line between nude art and pornography. How do you personally distinguish between the two?
Dane: I believe the key difference lies in the intent behind the making (and viewing) of imagery. Artistic photos are created with the goal of drawing in the viewer thanks to interesting lines, play between light and shadow, and perhaps a story or mystery–the unseen in the image. Often, an artistically-minded image does not break the fourth wall and does not invite the viewer into the scene with direct eye contact.
Humans are biologically adept at reading facial expressions, and so if an image does not include the face, one looks for clues in the body language, letting the viewer come up with their own story. This is the job of the model: to convey emotion through the angles and manipulation of light across muscles. In contrast, pornography is intended to be arousing and has less to do with leading lines or artistic components; it is fairly on its face about what it is. Of course, where a photo focused on a collarbone, for example, can be either artistic or arousing depending on the viewer’s personal opinions on that part of the body, there is only so much a creator can do to steer a photo in the direction or art versus pornography, so it is very subjective. My own preferences are always to leave something to mystery, even when I am hired to work more in the glamorous/sexy space. Photography by Rose McConnell
Even swimsuit and lingerie images can be artful and empowering when the intent is there to show personality. I mean, I think we can all agree that a woman in a swimsuit, smiling at the viewer, is not exactly porn, but it’s also not really artful in the classical sense. That grey area is really important to consider because it starts and ends at different places on the spectrum for everybody; different strokes for different folks.
Q: Can you share some exciting successes you've had in your career as an art model?
Dane: Oh, I am so blessed with opportunities to see the world and network with incredible artists whom I would never meet were it not for my travels! Recently, for instance, I was welcomed by the Weston family to visit their ancestral home and create art where the patriarch of the family–Edward Weston–did the same. It feels so wonderful to connect with celebrated and iconic artists who have inspired me since I studied their artwork in high school–like I am exactly where I am meant to be. It’s funny… even though I have these really big “whoa, what is my life,” moments from time to time, it is still the thrill of walking into a space knowing that another artist and I are going to collaborate and meld our efforts in pursuit of the creation of visuals… yea. That still gets me pretty often. I am so grateful to the people who “fill my cup”.
Photography by Tanya Smith
Q: What standards do you have in place before agreeing to work with someone?
Dane: Picking up on the vibe and checking references are crucial factors when considering collaboration; if it’s going to be an uncomfortable experience, why put my safety and reputation at risk, you know? I expect mutual respect, and if someone treats models with disrespect in general, it's an automatic "no" for me. I especially like to look for individuals who are willing to learn and grow, and am happy to assist newer photographers when needed; being able to pinpoint the “aha!” moment when a newer artist suddenly understands something is a great reward. I love helping people develop their personal style, so working with newer photographers is never a drawback so long as they conduct themselves professionally!
To learn more about Dane Halo and her stunning art nude work, you can find her on Instagram @theredbomb_model.