Rob,
Lucky for me she a a completely penniless RISD art student who had to drop out.
She had been encouraged to do some professional modeling while she was at school, but that did not interest her and she dropped out because of the prohibitiive cost. I could have done a million pictures of her.
It is always a struggle to find and pay models. You should see my car. The model always comes first.
Rob do drop in when you want to come to the warmer South.
Have you tried the Copley Society in Boston. It is a good way for area artists to get recognition.
www.copleysociety.org