The sheep dog turned life drawing model

Daisy the border collie was supposed to be a working sheep dog, but the farming world was not for her.

She has now collared a more comfortable job by taking centre-stage at life drawing classes in Nottingham.

"It's a bit of a Pretty Woman story," said owner Fiona Morris, who rescued her from a farm.

"She didn't fancy the sheep dog life, but she makes a top model."

Daisy is now posing for Dog Life Drawing - a class which started in Nottingham two years ago.

Morris said the event is a paw-fect opportunity for owners to meet and make friends.

"I think there is a bit of movement where people want to socialise but don't want to go drinking - if you're a dog lover this is an opportunity to be creative," she said.

The event is hosted by freelance artist Alix Barker, who said: "Dog life drawing is exactly what it sounds like.

"It's a lot less intimidating for artists to walk into a room of dogs - we've all seen a naked dog so there is no stress when they come here."

Participants are guided through a series of short exercises and demonstrations on structure and form before ending with a free draw at the sessions.

Organisers said the concept is as much about helping people relax as the art itself.

"It's just a wholesome activity to get involved in, to fuss some dogs and have a creative time," Barker said.

"I always say if it's a rubbish drawing we will blame the dog because they are moving, and they don't care what it looks like anyway.

"If the dog shuffles round that's fine, we start again or draw over the top."

There are between two and three dogs at each event at Blend at Sneinton Market.

Barker said a lot of students who miss their dogs while they are studying away from home come to join the sessions.

"A lot of people come back to see what flavours of dog we've got that week," she said.

"They go away saying how wholesome it is and how it's the best job in the world."

Megan Campe moved to Nottingham from Germany in 2018 and brings her nine-year-old dog Polli - a Havanese - to the sessions.

"She was quite scared when she was younger," the 25-year-old said.

"But I did photography at university, so she's very used to coming to the studio and being the centre of attention.

"She just loves all the fuss and knowing everyone is looking at her."

At the end of the session people are encouraged to share their artwork and give their canine muses some much-deserved love.

Barker said there is no judgement of the final artwork.

"I always say if you come away with a great drawing, brilliant, [but] if you come away with 10 not-so-great drawings, that is also brilliant," she said.

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