Maggie Racich is local art model, burlesque dancer, actor, and director, having recently moved here with her partner, Jimmy. She began her career as an art model in 2011 when, looking for a creative way to make some extra money, she joined a small art group. As a child, Maggie's mother would chase her about trying continuously to re-dress her daughter as Maggie screamed "Take it off" while removing said items, thus Maggie has always been comfortable with her body and nudity. As a child, she found a charcoal drawing of her mother's back and was enraptured by it. Her mother explained that before children she modeled for the local community college. Maggie loves the aspect of fine art and helping fine artists' improve their skill and birth their visions. ( A side note: Maggie doesn't believe she is very photogenic, although with the above photo, I beg to differ.)
Following her venture into art modeling, Maggie, along with her partner, dove into burlesque dancing in 2014. They became involved with a burlesque troupe in Michigan, one that helped empower them to create burlesque art with a circus twist. She enjoys burlesque dancing because of the aspect of creating an art form that is participatory with both audience and dancer. She loves the immediate audience connection and that she can be both campy and sincere in her performances. She also admires the wide variety of talent and creativity involved with the art form of burlesque. One of the most fascinating aspects, she believes, is finding creative ways through choreography to remove clothing and help the viewing audience feel comfortable with nudity as well as to learn to appreciate their being unclothed and feel empowered within themselves.
As an art model, Maggie loves the aspect of visual arts. Although she herself is not inclined to that art form, she comes from a family of fine artists so she admires greatly that process. The most challenging aspect of it, she says, is the physical aspect, finding both an interesting pose for the artist and one that won't injure her. She believes art modeling enables her to be present with her body as well as to become meditative during the different poses.
Maggie was fortunate to come from a family that encouraged body positivity. She also is aware that her body is in aligned with the social expectations for beauty, but even so has never really felt uncomfortable with her body image. Because of this, she has never experienced much backlash from either art modeling or burlesque dancing, but has experienced some social disbelief and confusion from outside sources who see her as braver than them in that they would never be able to perform or model. She is grateful for such a supportive family and upbringing that gave her such a comfortable sense of self.
However, there have been times of her life, like all of us, where Maggie has had insecurities towards parts of her body, ways that have brought her down and been debilitating to her emotional sense. She says that at times she can show up to art modeling feeling 'gross and bloated' but throughout the session can become increasingly more comfortable and leave with a reset of a positive body image.
She realizes that in these times of insecurity and anxiety that these body concerns are not necessarily something she can change, so she has learned to love herself for who she is and how she shows up to be daily.
An artist once told Maggie, "Don't be afraid to let it roll" meaning that our imperfections are often the most beautiful facet of ourselves.
Art by Ann DiSalvo
