BodyPainting - Blog

Killer Itallian Clowns in the MidWest

Sun, 14 Oct 2018 23:06:47 GMT

Hey y'all! I hope that all of you had a wonderful January into 2019! I have so much exciting news to tell you guys! Now from the title of this blog you might be thinking, What the hell?! lol

I just have to tell you about an AWESOME experience I had a few months ago. I had the privilige of working on Opera Omahas, Pagliacci. Now if you've never heard about Pagliacci or what its about, check this out.
It's about PASSION, JEALOUSY AND RAGE. Nedda (played by Leah Partridge) and her husband Canio (played by Jonathan Burton) are leaders of a traveling group of street clown performers.

Nedda (Leah Partridge) on right, Canio (Jonathan Burton) on left

There is a deadly love triangle between Nedda and Tonio (played by Todd Thomas). Nedda ends up rejecting Tonio,but Canio ends up knowing she has a secret lover. Then.......WEll of course I am not going to spoil it!
This opera was so fun to work on, makeup wise creating clowns, I was literally in makeup heaven. lol The cast and crew were so great to work with and I hope to work with them again in the future. Not to mention watching actual circus performers on stage was phenomenal. My favorite was the fire performers! So if you ever see a Pagliacci poster at your local theater definitely check it out! It is a quintessential Itallian verismo opera featuring one of the most famous tenor arias of all time!

Ironically while i was working on this production one of the top questions I got asked was, Whats your favorite face paint? I love working with as many brands as I can so I know what I am looking for depending on the type of project I am working on. I have to say that my favorite after years of body painting has to be Wolfe FX Paint. The brand was started by two brothers who are face/body painters, so its great to have a brand that produces products by artists.

Their Hydrocolor line is the best and so easy to use, it is activated using water, so all you have to do is dip your brush in some water dip it in the Hydrocolor paint pot and get to work! Whats also awesome about the product line is that the colors are rich and dense, their black and white colors are the truest colors I have see once applied on the skin. They are wax based as well, which means the products allow for flexibility once its applied on the skin and doesn't crack once its dried and the colors don't become "muddy" if applying it over a base color. All in all, if you haven't tried Wolfe FX Paint I would definitely check them out they're inexpensive you can purchase them in different sizes and you can stack colors for better storage.

That's it for now guys! Tune in soon for a makeup time lapse!

"Believe you can and you're halfway there" Theodore Roosevelt

Photos by Opera Omaha Orpheum Theater 2018

The Badass Blue Baba

Tue, 23 May 2017 14:29:23 GMT

Sellem the auctioneer (Jon Jurgens) takes glee in the sale of Rakewell’s worldly possessions in Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of Stravinsky’s THE RAKES PROGRESS, running through March 19 at the Emerson Majestic Theater Photo Credit: T Charles Erickson © T Charles Erickson Photography

Hey Everyone!!!! I hope all of you are doing fantastic!

So if you are subscribed to my Newsletter (right Hea if you aren't) then you know why I kinda went M.I.A. in March and its because I had the awesome opportunity to work on The Rakes Progress. An opera that was featured by The Boston Lyric Opera at The Majestic in Boston! There are fantastical characters in the opera such as Mother Goose (performed by the infamous Jane Eaglen) and her crazy brothel, Sellem (performed by the amazing Jon Jurgens) a pink haired red pump-shoe wearing auctioneer and Stravinsky (performed by Yury Yanowsky). As well as Baba The Turk , a blue bearded lady performed by the incredible Heather Johnson whom I had the pleasure of painting shades of blue for each performance!

Why is there a blue bearded lady in this opera? Well first off, Why not?! Who wouldn't want to be a blue bearded lady!
Secondly, the story of The Rakes Progress takes place in the countryside where two of the principal characters are in love Tom (performed by Ben Bliss) and Anne (performed by Anya Matanovic). Tom who tries to look for easier ways of making money ends up inheriting a fortune from an unknown uncle and moves to London. He gets quickly bored living in his new home and ordinary pleasures. So then he gets introduced to BABA the Turk. Well surprise, surprise, Anne arrives to meet Tom at his home and she is horrified to find him married to BABA. Tom ends up going bankrupt and taken to a graveyard and finds out he has to pay everything back not with money, but with his soul. As his soul is about to get snatched he hears Anne's voice in the distance and his past love is reawakened. Tom survives but ends up mad and institutionalized.
Synopsis courtesy of Boosey & Hawkes

Fun Story, Right! lol Well, here is a treat for all of you! Below is a time-lapse video of Heather Johnson being made up and wigged as Baba The Turk ! Stay tuned because if you love this video and this amazing picture of this pink haired, orange blushed auctioneer (whom I also did the makeup for) to my right then you'll love the next time lapse video that will be released ;) ;)

Love you guys! See ya soon!

Packages tied up with string... These are a few of my favorite things

Sat, 25 Feb 2017 00:55:39 GMT

Hey All! Thanks for tuning in!

I think One of the reasons why people who are creative and artistic love doing what they do is that it never gets boring and there is still always something new to learn. Being a lifelong student at heart, my inner Geek screams whenever I get my hands on new books or media to better my craft, as I am sure you do as well! And guess what Awesome News!

For all of you makeup and monster geeks out there get ready to pull out your wallets and stalk your mailmen.
Mike Spatola, Makeup Artist (Terminator 2, Iron Man 3, Predator 2) and Chief Academic Officer at Cinema Makeup School in Hollywood has created a Kickstarter Campaign to complete the 3rd and final book for the Monstrous Manual Series.

Photo credit: Mike Spatola Monstrous Makeup Manual Kickstarter

I know. I know. Just take my money now, right?!!! I personally own the Monstrous Makeup Manual 2 and it literally is a plethora of knowledge and super easy to follow with step by step techniques for creating some badass creatures. Even now, when I get called to work on a film I always manage to stuff the Manual in my bag for that "Just in case" moment when you need a refresher on how to achieve a certain effect or look.

Even if you aren't a makeup artist, its great to check out for those DIY Halloween makeup looks! If you want to check it out Here's the link to Mikes Kickstarter and show some love! :D Monstrous Makeup Manual 3

I also wanted to give all of you a heads up on the new and happening things going on right now! So excited to show you a sneak Peek sketch of a makeup that I designed that I am bringing to life right now! It is going to be EPIC!
As of right now, I am doing some finishing touches on the sculptures for the few custom pieces for the makeup and I can't wait till it is finished so I can get all of your feedback :)

On a different note, I have recently ordered a bunch of new makeup products for my kit that I can't wait to come in so I share with all of you!

P.S. I am seriously getting addicted to online shopping. Amazon, is my demon. All you need is a few glasses of wine and you wake up the next morning to a couple of surprise packages at your front door :)
(Totally Random, but I had to share)

Finally, I wanted to officially announce Januarys Newsletter GiveAway winner......***drumroll***.... and the Winner is ..........CHARLENE CH. !!! CONGRATS!
LOOK OUT FOR MY EMAIL!

If you haven't subscribed to my newsletter, What are you waiting for! Don't you want some Free Art and Goodies! Subscribe and your name could be pulled next!

Until Next time! Love Peace and ChickenGrease! <3

Heyy It's Been A While!

Tue, 07 Feb 2017 01:59:42 GMT

Hey Everybody!!! Oh my Goodness It's been a while! Even though we are in the second month of 2017. I am hoping that everyone has had a positive and awesome transition into it ... lol For the most part :)

First and Foremost let me just say Go PATRIOTS!

So much has happened over the course of these past several months! Where do I begin?!
It was so great to work on so many feature and indie films but I would have to say the most memorable was working on Super Troopers 2. It was just a wonderful group of great people, cast and crew. The film was so much fun to work on and I was so honored to be part of it. I can not wait for the title to be released~ AAA! I hope all of you reading go out and watch it!

Secondly, I am super happy to announce that SkinMarkz Magazine has featured 2 of my body painting creations in their upcoming February issue!!!! SkinMarkz is a contemporary BodyArt Magazine publishing both renown and emerging artists! If you love Body Art Check out the February issue here!

SkinMarkz February Issue 2017

Now to keep the first official blog post of the year nice and short...lol

Here's what you can be expecting a lot of this year

---Lots of Giveaways when you sign up for my Newsletter

---Beauty and Special Effects Product Reviews and Unboxings!

---Behind the Scenes Makeup & Body Art Vids

---New and Emerging Makeup books & tools

---What's in My Kit

--Tips, Tricks & MORE!!!

Lastly I can't wait for all the awesome new content this year! I hope all of enjoy it! P.S. If you SIGN UP for my Newsletter I will send you a Free Digital Copy of one of my Body Paintings featured in this months issue! Also you will be in the drawing every month to receive a free print delivered to you!

Peace and May the Force Be With you!