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Dear Fellow-Artlover,
Someone once told me, “Confidence is the feeling you have before you know what you’re getting into.”
For me, that's proven true again and again.
When I first created Model Society, I felt confident, and (as the saying goes) I had no idea what I was getting into.
Building the original website took much longer than expected. When we finally launched, we'd destroyed the budget. For the next several years, I pulled money from my savings to keep things going.
Individual people understood the value of the art, but companies and institutions ran away and treated us like porn. We got kicked off social media (many times). We struggled to advertise. Credit card processors and email platforms abandoned us.
My mind filled with dark thoughts. Was I wasting my savings? What if I was risking my family and my future? Was I making the biggest mistake of my life?
Was it all just a stupid, delusional dream? My confidence was gone. I thought I’d go broke. I couldn’t sleep. I was scared. Many times, I wanted to give up.
But every time I thought I was ready to walk away, something would happen to make me keep going – just a little longer.
New artists uploaded amazing images. New fans sent positive messages (feeling better about life and themselves). A young woman named Scarlett worked with one of our photographers and had a healing experience after years of abuse. Her story then inspired others to do the same.
It seemed like business and institutions wanted Model Society to fail – but models, photographers, and art lovers wanted us to survive. The community was thriving, and, a little at a time, there was just enough support to keep going.
Things are still challenging. But now, after 10 years, the community is strong, and art lovers are supportive. The magazine, books, and (especially) Model Citizens keep us above water.
Every day when I visit the website, my heart swells with inspiration and gratitude. The only thing I’m sure of is that we won't give up.
As long as creators keep making this awe-inspiring art and art lovers keep supporting the platform, we’re not going anywhere.
If you’re reading this – you’re the reason we’re still here.
Thank you for being a part of the most awe-inspiring creative community in the world!
Sincerely,
David Bollt
Founder, Model Society
P.S. Special thanks to photographer Randy Lagana for the stunning top image.
P.P.S. – If you want to support this space, join us as a Model Citizen. You’ll get the best of everything we do – and your contribution goes directly towards improving the platform and supporting the team behind the scenes.
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