If a model is clever, she’ll begin planning her second career the moment she signs her first modeling contract. After all, there are a few known things with short life spans: fruit flies, worker bees, and models. While many a gaunt, leggy catwalk-thumper has disappeared into anonymity, there are a few nameable supermodels that have gone on to successful artistic or fashion pursuits – often while they’re still on top, ensuring a solid paycheck future. One example is Helena Christensen, who, along with an illustrious model career, co-founded the magazine Nylon, launched her clothing line Christensen & Sigersen, and works as a well-respected photographer for Elle, Marie Claire, and more. In addition, her exhibition, “A Quiet Story,” curated by Jim Cook, premiered in Rotterdam in 2006, and Chanel Tokyo’s NEXUS gallery is scheduled to show the exhibition next year. She’s an exemplary over-achiever who takes advantage of every opportunity that comes her way.

Others are following in Christensen’s footsteps, like Erin Wasson, who, in addition to her Maybelline endorsement deal, recently teamed up with SoCal lifestyle brand RVCA for a fashion collection to debut at stores including Opening Ceremony. Also, Alek Wek has a line of handbags called Wek 1933, sold at Selfridges; and model Sasha Pivovarova studied art at the University of Moscow, and embarks in portraiture and landscape drawing, all while being the face of Prada.

The latest to join the pack is a German blonde, Christina Kruse: she could be easily written off as another beautiful, leggy, stereotypical supermodel, but her passion to pursue art has recently paid off-- she just landed her first American solo exhibition at Steven Kasher Gallery, which closed on March 28. Her multifaceted self-portraits combine photographs, photo collages illuminated in watercolor and other media, and a series of photograms, which perhaps are the narcissistic reflection of years being in front of the lens as the center of attention. We got the word on that and more:

What is your fascination with self-portraits?
I am self-taught and I was a bit embarrassed to ask anybody to sit for me, so I figured I could start on my own. It was also a very busy modeling time for me, and since I spent a lot of time on planes and hotel rooms on my own I simply used myself. And for the ongoing book project it will remain that way. Some of the newer works are based on other people.

How do you adjust to your career as an artist, versus as a model?
You have to start and surely it brings up questions just like anything anybody starts -- the beginnings can be a bit rough. Modeling is based on looks and everything else is not… at least ideally. To be able to work half-way successfully in the modeling world is a gift, and one should take it as such.

Are you still working as a model?
I do still model from time to time, it’s a great job and I am flattered to still be asked to do it. The last shows I walked in were Zac Posen, Alexander Wang, and last season’s Marc Jacobs. As for any ad campaigns, my last one was CK Onefragrance.

Do you expect the art world to take you seriously as an ex-model?
The only expectations I have are my own on myself --everything else is somewhat out of my hands.

Best art exhibition you’ve seen recently?
I think Jasper Johns at the Museum of Art, I thought it was amazing.

What was the worst art show you've seen lately, and what made it so horrid?
I would rather not be "expected" to answer, and honestly the places I go and see shows at are usually great places with great artists, so there is not much horrid stuff to begin with.

Has the current recession affected your art?
So far I was able to pay for all of my own materials and never depended on anybody to give me money to do so, and that is a great place to be in...so, no, it has not yet affected me.

How would you like to be known in 5 years?
If I only knew...

~Liz Black