ABOUT BAKERMODEL
It started with a movie. It was 1980-something. I was ten years old, playing with my action figures, when my Abba (father) called me into the living room to watch a movie with him. He was a science-fiction fan, so he put on the original Terminator. I had no idea at the time, but that movie would help set the course for much of my life — from bodybuilding and the human form to my love of film, characters, and special-effects makeup. My Eima (mom), Atara, recognized my artistic side early and enrolled me in sculpting and pottery classes. Growing up in a family full of artists, I was fortunate to have people around me who encouraged that creativity. I was already heading toward art. I just didn't know where it would take me.
From art to modeling Years later, after developing a deep artistic and cultural background, I attended a makeup trade show in Pasadena and met David. We became close friends, and we still see each other whenever we can. One day, almost in passing, he mentioned that art models were being brought into Lucasfilm to work with animators. He suggested I give modeling a try. I brushed the idea off for a few years. Eventually, I decided to give it a shot. And then came my first modeling job. After all the calls and emails, I had finally booked the gig. I packed everything up and was ready to go when, suddenly, I felt a pain in my chest and numbness in my left arm. Heart attack? I rushed downstairs and drank some milk. Nothing. I thought, This is it. Then the phone rang. Her soothing voice assured me that it was just a panic attack. Sure enough, as soon as she said the words, the pain subsided. That was my introduction to figure modeling.
Pushing the limits These days, taking my clothes off doesn't bother me. Don't get me wrong — I still get anxious and nervous. But now the nerves come from somewhere else. I want to challenge the instructor and the class. I want to push their skills and their limits. For me, modeling isn't simply about standing in front of an artist. It's about creating an opportunity to learn, experiment, and tell a story.
The journey My work has taken me from the fine arts into gaming, anatomy, photography, character work, and beyond. I've had the opportunity to work with organizations and artists including Anatomy Tools, Blizzard, Watts Atelier, and Laguna College of Art and Design, along with photo shoots that have even taken me beneath the water. Every project has been an adventure. And every project has taught me something. Art. Anatomy. Character. Photography. They aren't separate pieces of my life. They're all part of the same journey.
Telling a story Telling the story of my character is why I do it. I am the action heroes I looked up to as a child. I'm the science-fiction fantasies that captured my imagination. I'm the classic Greek and Roman statues that taught generations of artists about the human form. When I model, I get to bring those influences together. The art, anatomy, character, and photography work is only one piece of who I am — a culmination of all the experiences that brought me here. And I'm always looking toward the next level. The next challenge. The next step in the evolution.
BakerModel today Over the years, I've been fortunate to collaborate with some incredible artists. I've worked with San Diego artist Brent Trembath to create an artistic anatomy pose book, and more recently collaborated with San Diego artist Ken Goldman on a comprehensive anatomy book. Those projects grew naturally out of the same goal that has driven me from the beginning: Create useful reference. Help artists understand the human figure. And keep pushing the work forward. BakerModel brings together my experience as a model, artist, photographer, and collaborator to provide figure and anatomy reference for artists. And I'm still exploring what's next.
Let's create something If you're interested in educational reference material, modeling, photography, ZBrush, or a special event or project, I'd love to hear from you. Use the Contact page to say hello, ask a question, or talk about working together.
It started with a movie. It was 1980-something. I was ten years old, playing with my action figures, when my Abba (father) called me into the living room to watch a movie with him. He was a science-fiction fan, so he put on the original Terminator. I had no idea at the time, but that movie would help set the course for much of my life — from bodybuilding and the human form to my love of film, characters, and special-effects makeup. My Eima (mom), Atara, recognized my artistic side early and enrolled me in sculpting and pottery classes. Growing up in a family full of artists, I was fortunate to have people around me who encouraged that creativity. I was already heading toward art. I just didn't know where it would take me.
From art to modeling Years later, after developing a deep artistic and cultural background, I attended a makeup trade show in Pasadena and met David. We became close friends, and we still see each other whenever we can. One day, almost in passing, he mentioned that art models were being brought into Lucasfilm to work with animators. He suggested I give modeling a try. I brushed the idea off for a few years. Eventually, I decided to give it a shot. And then came my first modeling job. After all the calls and emails, I had finally booked the gig. I packed everything up and was ready to go when, suddenly, I felt a pain in my chest and numbness in my left arm. Heart attack? I rushed downstairs and drank some milk. Nothing. I thought, This is it. Then the phone rang. Her soothing voice assured me that it was just a panic attack. Sure enough, as soon as she said the words, the pain subsided. That was my introduction to figure modeling.
Pushing the limits These days, taking my clothes off doesn't bother me. Don't get me wrong — I still get anxious and nervous. But now the nerves come from somewhere else. I want to challenge the instructor and the class. I want to push their skills and their limits. For me, modeling isn't simply about standing in front of an artist. It's about creating an opportunity to learn, experiment, and tell a story.
The journey My work has taken me from the fine arts into gaming, anatomy, photography, character work, and beyond. I've had the opportunity to work with organizations and artists including Anatomy Tools, Blizzard, Watts Atelier, and Laguna College of Art and Design, along with photo shoots that have even taken me beneath the water. Every project has been an adventure. And every project has taught me something. Art. Anatomy. Character. Photography. They aren't separate pieces of my life. They're all part of the same journey.
Telling a story Telling the story of my character is why I do it. I am the action heroes I looked up to as a child. I'm the science-fiction fantasies that captured my imagination. I'm the classic Greek and Roman statues that taught generations of artists about the human form. When I model, I get to bring those influences together. The art, anatomy, character, and photography work is only one piece of who I am — a culmination of all the experiences that brought me here. And I'm always looking toward the next level. The next challenge. The next step in the evolution.
BakerModel today Over the years, I've been fortunate to collaborate with some incredible artists. I've worked with San Diego artist Brent Trembath to create an artistic anatomy pose book, and more recently collaborated with San Diego artist Ken Goldman on a comprehensive anatomy book. Those projects grew naturally out of the same goal that has driven me from the beginning: Create useful reference. Help artists understand the human figure. And keep pushing the work forward. BakerModel brings together my experience as a model, artist, photographer, and collaborator to provide figure and anatomy reference for artists. And I'm still exploring what's next.
Let's create something If you're interested in educational reference material, modeling, photography, ZBrush, or a special event or project, I'd love to hear from you. Use the Contact page to say hello, ask a question, or talk about working together.
