Cuddly Skull

Mark Taylor's 9 year old daughter Hollee-Ann, from Luton, UK, made him this cuddly skull. He explained that she made it out of a bag of felt/fleece fabric, hand stitched it, and stuffed it with cotton wool.

I love seeing what kids create more than adults, because their vision and use of materials is so open and creative. My daughter also made a stuffed skull recently, so when I saw this, I instantly smiled. Sewing projects like these remind me of when I 1st started sewing as a young kid, but I never made anything as cool as a stuffed skull.

Photographing Body Paint Art

There are many photographic projects that are fun to do. There are many that are hard to do and there are many that are expensive and need several people to help you bring it to fruition. This project is all of them at one time.
Not only will you need to hire models or at least secure the assistance from friends or perhaps students from a college art class. You will also need to hire a good body paint artist, so now you know what the article is about.
"Body painting, or sometimes bodypainting, is a form of body art. Unlike tattoo and other forms of body art, body painting is temporary, painted onto the human skin, and lasts for only several hours, or at most (in the case of Mehndi or "henna tattoo") a couple of weeks. Body painting that is limited to the face is known as face painting" Wikipedia.
Permits may also be required depending on the locations that you choose to record images of your subjects. Assistants to help you, your subjects, and the body paint artist and so on.
One of the best tips would be to conduct this project in a studio, but this will with certainty limit your available subject themes.
After you have decided if the project will take place in a studio or outside the fun begins. Keep in mind that these people who will have their bodies painted are in reality "nude" and a series of laws and permits for such endeavors are most always required, unless the project happens to take place in remote areas and no one "sees" you.
You can conduct the photo shoot using one single model at a time and it can be either male or female. However some of the best compositions or scenes are those involving several models pretending to be interacting in a thematic scene such as sports, or games and so on.
You can also turn the project into a nature theme, sci-fi theme and many more. Be mindful that the more complicated the theme or scene the longer it will take from beginning to final image.
This project will take time and there are basically very few shortcuts around it. You will need time and the space for the artist to paint the model, you will need time and space for the models to get rid of the paint, in a shower more than likely, you will need time and space for the models to change clothes such as bathrobes for in between shots. You will probably need to make some sort of arrangements for some refreshments as this shoot wil more than likely take a few hours to complete.

These photographs are very good to submit to photographic stock houses and some calendar publications.
They are also very suitable to send to general photographic publications and to turn them into a photographic book or for use by the body painting industry.
Try to avoid being overly exotic and not to show nudity, at least in its true form.
Remember that some may be offended by this art but the artists who specialize in this type of body art are generally quite adept at hiding certain body parts and have taken this technique to new heights.
Nevertheless, it is often best to exercise some common sense in displaying the images and controlling who has access to viewing them once the shoot has been finalized.

Nature/animal theme

Sci-fi theme using glow in the dark paint

Sci-fi theme

Nature theme

Sci-fi / action heroes theme

Sports theme

animal theme

sports theme

war theme

action hero theme

Sports

Sci-fi

movie theme

patriotic theme

gaming themes

Contortionist Motorbike

 

The Human Motorcycle Project is an art ensemble by Trina Merry for the International Motorcycle Shows that will be touring in the United States. The airbrushed photos display a chic windblown female rider positioned on a high-powered motorbike. The only difference with these two-wheeler gas vehicles is that they are made out of people.

Every part of the motorcycles are formed by people in colored body paint that are molded into the shape of bike parts. Their hands are used as handle bars, their arms become the wheels and their bodies are stacked to form the outline of the vehicle. By having the bikes made out of people, Merry's Human Motorcycle project creates a deeper artistic connection with the audience. She expertly styles her models with the vibrant colors of racing couture bikes to bring to life the blazing machines.

[CONTEST REMINDER] Win a "Skeleton Office" Prize Pack from CyberINK Online

This contest has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated with your comments. Stay tuned for more great giveaways coming soon!

Don't be late for your meeting!  Remember that you only have until 11:59:59 Eastern Time Friday, March 1st to get entered to win a FREE "Skeleton Office" prize pack from CyberINK Online.

Here's your chance to win 1- 18"x24" poster, 1- coffee mug, and 1- mouse pad featuring the "Skeleton Office" design available from CyberINK Online.

[NOTE: If you are reading this on Facebook or Google+, you must go to THE ACTUAL BLOG POST HERE to enter this contest! You CANNOT enter this contest by commenting on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+]

Don't worry if you don't win, you can always feel like a winner by picking up any of the awesomely cool skull designs for all of your gadget needs at CyberINK Online.  Thanks again, Jean!

body painting gallery