The blog must start somewhere, why not here?

About 14 years ago an image entered my brain while in Junior College in my 1st college level drawing class; I began picturing myself painting with my hair as the tool, specifically I pictured smacking myself against the canvas to create a painting using my hair as the paint application tool. After spending some time in ceramics I think I was naturally drawn to continue using my body in contact with an art medium to create art. I don’t much enjoy being separated by man-made tools from the paintings I create, though I do still use some brushes and other non-body parts to create Body Prints® paintings. Another course in college that I believe propelled me down this path was printmaking where I most enjoyed creating mono-prints focused on the female curves as the subject of most of my images.

Continued experience at Chico State led me into a BA with a split emphasis in painting and ceramics.

In school I was attracted to artists such as Jackson Pollock and Gustav Klimt. Though my painting Instructors were quick to point out the connection of my work with David Hammons, I never felt influenced by the work that he created. All artists are influenced by other artists, be it conscience or sub-conscience. I have always tried to stay true to myself and create something unique, something that captures a moment in time, an emotion or theme, much like photography does.

David Hammons
B.1943
UNTITLED (THE EMBRACE)

My hands on experience creating paintings using Body Prints® painting methods began in 2004 once I reached a level of painting where we were not bound by assignments, but set free to do our own thing. I was the girl with the 24 hour pass to the art building painting in the middle of the night nude and bathing in the art sink.

I saw many of my peers quickly enter into the realm of selling their art professionally. It took me a bit longer to get ahold of the reins on how my love for painting could actually translate into a real career opportunity. I’ve never much understood some of the ego driven propaganda that goes along with selling art. Plenty of people who do create art spend a lot of time learning and refining their skills to create the works of art that they do and of course that derived talent deserves recognition. Those people like me were probably encouraged in their youth to create and continue creating while others are not so lucky and one negative comment can crush a potential artist’s soul and they’ll go on through their lives believing that they “can’t”; draw, paint, etc.

Yes, certain types of art require lots of training and practice, but some really beautiful images can be obtained with the help of some great coaching from someone who has already spent their time refining the process. Sometimes all you need to gain confidence in your art making abilities is for someone to break it down into simple to follow steps. With the paint and sip industry booming I’m happy to see people embracing their inner Picasso and enjoying the creative high and gaining confidence in their ability to create art.

I want to awaken the artist in you, to show you that fun and simple techniques can be used to create your very own masterpiece. It’s my mission to share what I’ve learned and offer you an amazing experience to create a large scale professional piece of art that you can feel invested in and is a reflection of your unique personality and aesthetics.

Though Body Prints® has grown over the last 12 years…when you invest in a Kit or a Custom Reserved Session with Body Prints® you are helping me; continue to spread this opportunity, put a roof over my family and food in our bellies and put my two beautiful boys through college.

This custom Body Prints® painting was the very first one I created with my boys. This painting holds a lot of significance for me as it is this painting that launched me on my mission to bring the Body Prints® painting experience to the masses. This painting and the existence of my two sons is what set my soul on fire! It was during the creation of this painting where I found myself losing control over the outcome several times that it all clicked for me and I realized that Body Prints® is not about me or what I could create as an artist with all of my expertise using these methods. It is about me sharing this experience with others. It’s about raising artistic consciousness and inspiring other artists to become part of the Body Prints® family and find for themselves a way to have a career in art. It’s about the perfect storm that hit me a year ago as I found myself with a unique opportunity to pursue my passion.

“I’m So Lucky” will always serve as a reminder of that revelation and the confidence I felt when I realized that this is my path, this is my legacy and I’ll continue to work to make it accessible to as many people as I can so they can share the satisfaction of creating something unique and beautiful for their own homes, to capture their own precious moments and create these instant heirlooms. This painting is seasonally displayed in our home every March.

Thank you for your continued support and love of my dream. Become a part of the Body Prints® movement and contact us today to create your own custom made masterpiece!