So much passion...

I am so glad that I have finally figured out who I am, and what I want to be. It has changed me. It makes me wonder how people can go through life not doing what they love, but maybe for some it takes longer to figure out what it is. That isn't to say that it has to be your job, because (let's face it), this one certainly doesn't pay my bills. Luckily, the fact that I am so passionate about it makes it worth my time and energy.

If I had no responsibilities, I would never eat or sleep. I would do nothing but enjoy my children and paint. If I could, I would live on love and paint alone. That would be the life.

Working with Strome

We had a fabulous shoot last night with our wonderful model (with the ultimate stamina!), Bill Strome, owner of Strome Photography in Kalamazoo, and myself.

I met him at the art hop in Kalamazoo last week. He has worked with the other body painters in the area (Kalamazoo) and I was very interested in doing some work with him as well.

We decided to go with the jeans. I think they are so wonderful, and a real showcase of my work. I absolutely love painting them as well. The shoot went very smoothly, other than the fact that we weren't done until 2am!

Extraordinary things happen when three artists collide, and I think this was nothing less than that.

Check out the pics at my site, or [some] on facebook. *Body painting pictures on my site are for 18+ only. By viewing them you are stating that you are 18 years of age or older.

Cheers,
Liz

Henna Bellies!

I am so excited for my friend Michelle to come over this afternoon! She has a cute pregnant belly that we are going to henna! It's so exciting. For those of you who don't know, henna is actually a symbol for good luck. Although it is not specifically attached to any one religion, it's mostly used in African and Indian cultures. It's not so much because of their religious beliefs, but because that is where it grows and is readily available. It is an all natural product. Henna is made from leaves that are dried and ground into a very fine powder. Then it is made into a paste and applied to the skin. Normally it will last anywhere from three days to three weeks. It really depends on where you apply it on your body, and how well you take care of your design.

Lots of times it is used for pre-wedding parties, bridal showers or baby showers because of the luck it is said to bring. I personally could use some good luck ANYTIME and encourage you to have a henna party soon! It is tons of fun, and something different for you and your friends to enjoy together.

Busy, busy, busy!

I am sorry that I haven't even had a chance to update everyone as to what is going on.

Since my last post, we have started offering a few different services including airbrushing and henna tattooing! It's a lot of fun and everyone seems to be crazy over the henna.

Halloween weekend was very fun and very busy! One of my clients spent the morning being painted and actually went to a costume contest at The Bob in Grand Rapids (a bar) for a costume contest at night. Yes, they actually let her in even though she was wearing only a g-string! She looked fabulous. When I finished there, I went to various homes and painted a smurf, a few masks, a few scary people, butterflies and superheroes. It was a great way to spend my birthday. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

We are in the process of renting studio space in the Park Trades Center in Kalamazoo. This is probably the one thing that I am most excited about. It's so nice to have our own area to create art! We are hoping that it opens up early this week so we can get in there for appointments toward the end of the week. It is also a building that is part of the Art Hop in Kalamazoo, which allows us to open our doors and display our work! We are toying with the idea of live models...yay or nay?

This week is shaping up to be an exciting one as well. If our studio space opens up in time, we should be doing another promotional shoot on Thursday. I am really excited for it since we are short on portfolio pictures at the moment. It should be lots of fun and I am sure the pictures will be beautiful! I can always count on my fabulous photographer for that.

Friday we are doing a shoot with a client who is being painted for the first time. She is very excited to give the prints to her husband as a gift. I know she will look wonderful.

Saturday is the Merry Merchants sale that is put on every year by Trilogy Salon. It will be held at the Climax-Scotts Intermediate School. I will be doing temporary airbrushed tattoos, henna tattoos and face painting. Noon - 4pm. Fun will be had by all. Lots of vendors with something for everyone! I am really looking forward to it.

Love to all! Cheers!
Liz

Body Painting

The first body painting and photography session went very well. I am so pleased to say that Ryan Decker did a phenomenal job! We got together with two of the finest models and a fabulous boudoir photographer to do a promotional shoot for "Painted Boudoir Photography". We are excited to announce that we are now offering it as a service. (Pricing coming soon). We feel that it will make a great holiday gift for your significant other.

Almost all of the women that we asked to model told us "I am not in my best shape ever." Good news. You don't need to be. Our photographer works with women of ALL shapes and sizes and can make anyone look and feel stunning. Check out her website:

www.hopescreations.com

She is absolutely amazing!

We spent roughly six hours painting a photographing the girls. I couldn't have been happier with the outcome. It was a really fun time. Thanks to all of you who helped make it happen!

I am hoping that in the near future we can find some 40+, average sized models to paint. I think it's a great crowd to target so that everyone can see the truth in the work...everyone is beautiful, no matter what the age, shape or size.

Business Mode

I have been working like a dog! It is a good stress, however. One that I have been in need of for a long time. I am exhausted but it feels great.

I worked an event on Friday and it was awesome. All of the kids (and the adults!) raved about it. It was at the Climax-Scotts football game. I did a ton of panthers and sparkly kitties. It was great and we raised some money for the athletic department. I wish I could have taken pictures but I left my memory card at home! Darn.

I am in the process of booking for next weekend (Halloween weekend). The face painting has sparked a lot of interest and I am grateful for that. If you want your face painted next weekend, I am doing the Kalamazoo area on Saturday and the GR area on Sunday. Let me know ASAP!

Cheers,
Liz

Web

The website is up! I'm certainly not fancy, but at least it is something!

www.seamlessbodyart.com