Standing perfectly still for 20 minutes, a model stares into the distance while a room of artists of all ages, skill levels and artistic backgrounds study her form, rendering her appearance onto canvases.
"It's about the human figure, the lighting and the form," said Mary Giacomini, professional Loveland artist and teacher.
With this passion for the artistry in the human form, a group of artists have been meeting each week for the last seven years. They call their meetings the Loveland Wild Life Sessions.
"We all have an attraction to draw people," Giacomini said. "Some of us are professional, some aren't. We're just friends."
Nine of the members of the group have produced works that are featured in the "Figure and Form" exhibit currently on display in the Loveland Museum/Gallery.
The group had an open session for the public to join them at the museum to draw or paint a live model, where around 15 people participated in 20-minute drawing intervals for a two and a half hour session.
"I love art and (my friend) thought I'd have fun here. And I really did," said former Loveland resident Kasey McQueeny, who is an art student living in St. Augustine, Fla. "I loved the experience here today."
For others, art acts as a release, a way to wind down and think differently from the day-to-day.
"It's a haven for me, let's me use the other side of my brain," said small business owner Steve Engeman, who is a member of the Loveland artist group and part of the museum's exhibit. "This is a good opportunity to see what it's all about."
The museum is hosting two more events in support of the exhibit with group member and Aims Community College art professor Victoria Lisi: a free portrait drawing demo 1-3 p.m. Sunday, July 6, and a $40 portrait workshop 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20. Call 962-2410 or visit lovelandmuseumgallery.org for details.
To get more information about the artist group in Loveland, visit lovelandwildlifesessions.blogspot.com. Engeman is part of another group that meets Monday evenings in Fort Collins that is open to public. For details on either group, email s55x100@aol.com.
Contact Reporter-Herald Staff Writer James Garcia at 970-635-3630 or garciaj@reporter-herald.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/JamesGarciaRH.