Interview with Mark Wagner
1. What first started you on modeling?
I started modeling in high school, first for art classes in school. Most of my friends were artists so we all helped each-other out. After that, I wanted to branch out into other artistic capacities as a model.
2. What inspires you artistically?
It could be a nice cool breeze or a sunny day. Inspiration can come in many forms. Emotion is usually what captivates me most to paint.
3. What’s the best way to get into modeling/ get your art seen?
Talking with people that you look up to is a must. You can’t learn everything on your own, so having people to discuss with and learn from is the best advice I can give on that. Once you get your career moving, having your own website is a must; there are many advantages to having your own website verse just having modeling or networking sites. On your own site you have control over the tone, what you want seen, and how you interact with other people. If you need to build up a body of work to have a site, then those art/modeling networking sites are a great place to start.
4. How did you get into promoting?
It was actually my first job, I worked at Nissan Pavilion as a teen and loved it. I would work festivals for the first 8 hours, and then hang out and network for the rest of the time. After that, I switched to Marlboro and did marketing for them. Doing promo and market research made me happy because I could interact with strangers for a purpose.
5. Why do you do your own makeup?
I actually pay makeup artists to do my makeup when I get lazy. That said, It’s a wonderful option to be able to pay someone or do your own makeup for a shoot or movie. Makeup, to me, is just another form or fine art. Sometimes my makeup and hair sucks and sometimes its spot on. I think as a model and artist I enjoy taking challenges and chances in whatever I’m working on.
6. Do you do any kind of modeling?
I have my limits: There is a huge difference between showing the female form as a beautiful piece of art versus showing it as an object in pornographic material. I really do not like porn. I have a standard of integrity that I follow; you don’t do anything you don’t want to do. I have seen a lot of women that do not shoot nude, ever, and they are great models and very successful. I think each model needs to find what is comfortable for them.
7. What are your passions?
Obviously, art in any form. Music is art, so of course I love it too- just in case “all art” was not a concise enough answer! Reading is always a joy; I really think most people do not read enough and that makes me sad. I do watch a lot of tv, just like a lot of people, but I still make time to read. Watching movies, dancing, being outside, cars, decorating, boating, traveling are all on that list of passions. I think there might be too many passions to list!
8. I’ve noticed you do “good works” in addition to everything else on your busy schedule! What foundations/organizations do you work with?
I have worked with the Orphan Foundation since I was in foster care. I started doing volunteer work as a teenager and found I really love it. I first volunteered for the Forest Service in Springfield, VA making sure people didn’t catch to many trout and cleaned up after themselves. In College I joined Hillel- my favorite memory of that was the one summer we went to a Forest Service Forest south of Richmond and fixed up bridges, stairs and all kinds of things there. Building a wood bridge from scratch (which involves chopping down two large trees), was very kick ass. How many people can say they built a bridge? Recently I started doing outreach work for SOS Children’s Villages and the USO. 2010 is the first year I will be doing the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer in DC. Raising 1,800 dollars is a challenge, so is the 29 mile walk, but it’s nothing compared to what women who have the disease have to deal with.
9. What’s are you favorite styles of painting or photography, and why?
A mix of the two, lately, is what I have really been digging. I have several friends that do mixed media art and it’s just stunning. I love landscapes and pinup photography, esp if they are black and white.
10. I’m interested in hiring you for a model shot (or promotional event, etc). How do we open negotiations?
Email is always a first. I would expect that people contacting me have looked at my work, and understand I am much more than a model. I like to work with people that have extreme passion for what they do (so I would expect them to show enthusiasm). In an email I would hope they sent a link to their site, as well as when they want to work together and what concepts they have worked up. TFP is limited for me esp because of time.
11. How would you describe your exercise and diet routines? You have such a full calender; how do you stay so fit and radiant?
I actually yo-yo in sizes- which is not healthy, and I would not recommend that to anyone. I try to lotion my whole body at least once a day. I am allergic to hydrogenated oil and lactose so that cuts out a lot of food (especially junk food), and I don’t bother with red meat or pork. I try to work out every day, mostly core strengthening and mixed martial arts. I am not a skinny mini body type, I am athletic. Within an hour of when I first wake up I drink a protein shake; it’s a great way to jump start your metabolism. I also sleep at least 9 hours a night.
12. What are your influences?
Everything!
Question and Answer by Mark Wagner. Photos by Kazmere (body) and Low Tek (header). Feel free to ask me your own questions!
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- Interview with photographer Sarah Sertic
- Interview with photographer Jim Tretick
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- Interview with John Johnson
- Interview with Deanna Danger
