DAN
	2 min gestures                             Hilde Lambrechts

Dan is one of the most handsome and experienced models in the Ottawa art scene, and every time it is a privilege to work with him. He is often accompanied by his extremely well-behaved dog Phoebe, who is a model in her own right.

Dan started modeling in 1999 after taking a modeling course at the Ottawa school of art in an attempt to overcome his shyness. Since 2007 he teaches that same course. He used to be an athlete, being a crew rower and cyclist at university. Both sports require technique that needs to be maintained with a lot of precision. Dan approaches modeling in the same way. He uses pain as a tool to explore his boundaries. Over the years his poses have become increasingly difficult.

His secret to modeling is to take poses that are part of his own vocabulary. He finds it difficult to act. With his calm demeanor he slowly falls into the pose and holds it as if it were a natural extension of his being. His gestures show graceful movements which are often out of balance and result in compositions with beautiful negative spaces and unique body twists. For the long poses Dan prefers to stand rather than sit. These long poses can be described as dignified and reminiscent to antiquity, and his signature is always delivered with that remarkable twist of his body.

Dan sees his work as an interaction with the artist. He finds it rewarding that his poses can lead the artist into a state of complete focus that is almost palpable. No wonder that Dan is one of the most wanted models for schools and life drawing groups and a muse for a number of individual artists.