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Sally Jane Brown's avatar

Reading Paul Rosano’s reflections on sitting for Sylvia Sleigh is incredibly moving. As a figurative artist who also models, I’m struck by the mutual respect and tenderness in their dynamic. Sleigh’s work with Paul still feels groundbreaking—recasting the male nude through a feminist lens, with care, curiosity, and vulnerability. Her portraits didn’t just subvert the gaze—they rewrote it. The way she painted men as seen, not staged, is something I think about often in my own practice. This interview is such a gift. Thank you for sharing it.

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Elizabeth  Sweeney's avatar

Loved this interesting post. I saw the Turkish Baths painting somewhere perhaps with another Neel show. Portraiture interests me so much so it’s a bit of pulling aside the veil! Hope to get to the gallery to hear the interviews. That would be special. These responses I hope underline your work as a great source of ongoing history. When you have time watch Pull My Daisy on YouTube. It features Alice and our dear friend David Amram as well as other beat poets.

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Mica Touchwood's avatar

I'm glad you got this interview down on paper! Hopefully PJ will write more about his experience for future readers and art historians, it's a valuable and unique perspective we get too rarely. Thanks for sharing!

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Corrine's avatar

The Female Gaze...I very much enjoyed the context this brings!

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Marina's avatar

Thank you, great insight into muse and artist, a subject I am working on.

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Elizabeth  Sweeney's avatar

This event on 5/9 is at capacity

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Lily Caraballo's avatar

Loved this post. I've been modeling for art classes for about a decade now, and I always wanted to hear from other models about their experiences. I'm so glad he shared his experiences with you and your audience!

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Maria's avatar

The stories of relationships between sitters and painters is so interesting. I hope you'll turn this subject into a regular part of your writing. Looking forward to the piece on Alice Neel.

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

Enjoyed reading this!

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Anita Darcel Taylor's avatar

Happy Birthday, Sylvia Sleigh.

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Juliana Alves dos Santos's avatar

How wonderful. His message, this interview. Thanks for sharing.

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