How We Work

(One of my articles was recently published in the Philadelphia City Paper under the cover story titled: How We Work: An informal survey of the ways we earn our daily bread. It is both in print and online at http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2008/01/24/how-we-work). Below is the opening from Editor Duane Swierczynski and then my story follows.)

Published: Jan 23, 2008

So what do you do? Yeah? Wow. Never heard of that before. You actually make a living doing that? Get outta here. For real? I mean, I've heard of some weird jobs, but not like that one. I got a pal who models nude. Swear. To. God. And then there's this lady I know who gets paid to play with blood and dung all day. But it's not all about the pay with some people. You've probably seen that street preacher lady, who stops you as you drive by, talkin' gospel and shit? The things people in this town will do. Anyway, I'm really impressed. Sounds like you've got a good gig. Anyway ... who, me? Ah, you don't want to know what I do. Just makin' ends meet. Looking for something better, tell you the truth. Say ... you don't know anybody who needs a molecular biologist, do ya? —Duane Swierczynski

Most Revealing Job

Jon Stothfang, figure model

For the past seven years, art students have been paying thousands of dollars every year to see Jon Stothfang naked. Jon began his work as a figure model back in Cincinnati, Ohio, after responding to the "models coordinator" ad in a local job listing.

Stothfang's artwork is what initially uncovered his interest in posing, and staying disrobed motivated him to keep a steady exercise routine. He says, "What most people don't realize is that anyone can be a figure model. There is no ideal body type for this work. You don't have to lose those last 10 pounds. You don't have to be a supermodel. Some classes, like anatomy, do prefer you to be fit, but most students I've talked to enjoy voluptuous models with mass to spare."

But there are some restrictions. "The more tattoos you have, the more limited work you can do," says Stothfang. "Tattoos take away from the body's contours and hide natural shadows. A friend of mine is a good model, very attractive, but she can only do portrait work because she has full sleeves."

The most important rule of posing is that you have to hold still and keep quiet. "It definitely takes patience, muscle control, and a willingness to chuck the conventions of repressive modesty out the window. If you can get past that, then figure modeling can actually be a really amazing way to fall back in love with your body, regardless of what it looks like."