I would start by contacting the local art institutes and schools. Ask to talk with the model coordinator. They are always looking for models. The community colleges are another good place to work. Contact the Art Department and ask for the life drawing teachers. Be professional, and treat it as any serious job search. I'm sure there are drop in figure drawing sessions in the Portland area, check bulletin boards at art supply stores, Craig's list, etc. The model coordinators and teachers usually are networked with the local art community. Best of luck.

Hi Pine:

I am relatively new to this as well, but here is what I have discovered:

1) Go to local art organizations/schools and either ask to speak with the model coordinator or be placed on their model list.
2) Make up business cards (on your pc) and post them on the bulletin boards at art organizations.
3) Go to art shows and meet artists and provide them with your business card.
4) Meet other models in your area and get contact info from them. Your post here is one way to do that. In the Portland area many models belong to the Willamette Art Models Guild. You might contact them.
5) In the book "modeling Life..." by Sarah Phillips (which I highly recommend), the author mentions a private studio in the Portland area that is run by former models. They actually help to train new models. Unfortunately, the name of the studio was not provided, but you might contact the book's author to find out.

As I mentioned I am relatively new at this so take all my advice with a grain of salt :-)

Good Luck!

Chuck

Hey Pine,
I've worked as a figure model off and on for the past 30+ years. Some of the university art departments hire the models as part time workers, at others the professors schedule the models, it all varies. I have been most successful with face to face interviews. Call the art departments and talk to the model coordinator or the office staff and ask how the models are hired. I've also had success by contacting the art professors directly. As other's have said, be professional, be punctual, and most of all be reliable. I have gotten most of my gigs because they know they can count on me to be there when I said I would be. They also always get their monie's worth out of me.
Good Luck,
Bear