Painting my body was like painting on a canvas.
I have painted mostly on canvas. I have done many paintings with brushes, tools and hands. Sometimes felt very much connected to my painting with my hands-on.
But the next step was painting my body. Painting my own body instead of on something else was a direct connection with myself.
First, I wanted to thank Kristel who made sure that the process was recorded. Big thanks to Kristel also for the painting she did while photographing. Find her on Instagram https://instagram.com/kriskoitlaphoto?utm_medium=copy_link
I had a clear vision that I want to start painting from my face down.
For that, I used paint ‘’Face and body Paint’’ which is water-based non-toxic. I found it from an online store called Theartshop.com.au
As well I wanted that my background will be unique. For that, I picked 180x180cm canvas and did whole background painting at the same time with brushes. Used for that water-soluble oils from Winsor and Newton.
For body painting, I had very basic colours like red, yellow, blue, white and purple. which often appears when you order body paints. It took me a bit of time but I got mixed some very beautiful pastel colours at first. At the beginning of the process, it felt like spring. Where everything is just awakening and ready to blossom. All-new, fresh and delicate.
From the beginning, I did some stripes and dots on my face. All the processes felt a little wild and trippy. Like being in some fire night and getting ready for the ceremony or full moon dance. Painting my face to be ready for some crazy fire dance or simply being high.
In the next step, I choose more green colours and moved more to the neck, shoulders and chest. This felt more spiritual. Like heart-opening. I got myself painted a forest. Earth on my Heart. It felt like a summer when all the trees are turning fully green. I felt far more relaxed by this stage. I enjoyed getting some thick green colours on me.
For the third step, I got myself wings on my shoulder blades with ocean blue. Painted my back blue with some help from Kristel. For that moment It felt like peeling an onion. Layer by layer you go deeper into yourself to open up. Telling a story just through colours on your body. Without any clean shapes but just expression. It is wonderful.
The fourth step was more delicate. Because I decided to remove my clothes. And paint my whole body. Included my breasts and thighs. This may not be for everyone. By doing that you need to be able to let go and have fun at the same time. My way of keeping privacy was just standing with my back to the camera. I felt that way I could find a compromise. Otherwise, I was wearing my lower part and covering my breast while taking photos from the front.
From that moment I could use my body as a tool. Because it was fully covered with paint. It gave me a chance to paint a naked woman shape on the canvas. I felt I was naked but same time covered. Like in summer, we are ready to expose our bodies to sunlight.
Last but not least I was getting rebellious. I felt like being an anarchist. A little girl came out of me and wanted to protest. I guess being vulnerable may bring out some strength within us. Like some fire is being awakened and released. Showing the world what I can do and what I am willing to do.
I took some bold colours like red and deep yellow and started adding them everywhere including my background. It was time to move to autumn. Leave the previous two seasons behind. Letting the autumn colours fully express. Until everything is told through colours.
Finally, it was time for calmness. Because the next step was winter. Time to reflect and relax. I did put my white shirt on like a symbol of snow. Same as when it is snowing in the winter and everything is covered under the white coat. Kristel did the last photos. End of the cycle, end of the 4 seasons and end of the painting.
Colours are very healing and can help more than you think. It is a way of therapy. Never underestimate them 😉
Thank you for your time 🙂
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