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On what could be one of the last warm-enough-to-sit-outside-all-day-Sundays of the year, I was hanging out in Canon Hill with the Sunday Sessions massive watching the world go by, and drawn like a bee to honey by all the lotus flowers adorning the lovely Jessies body. The lotus flower has become one of my favourite symbols on my quest to find and fall in love with my true self. Growing from dark depths, where the mud that is deep and sticky. Somewhere most would call dirty and dark. And yet, despite its muddy origins, it is one of the most beautiful, and intricate flowers to be found. It is obvious why this symbol of beauty from dirt symbolises the spiritual journey. The spiritual journey which is rarely smooth, and the greatest lessons come from the deepest pain. As usual I am living my beautilicious body art dreams through other people's courage and high pain As she strolled along with her family on Sunday, I was feeling slightly introvert and didn't particularly feel like talking to anyone, especially not approaching a stranger to ask if can photograph her body. However, thanks to a few nudges from my angels, I literally chased her down, iPhone in hand and am glad I did. I love meeting new people, and pushing myself to step outside of my comfort zone, especially when I really don't feel like it. It's at those times when I am super blessed by the interactions I have. The tattoo on her back of a beautiful woman was done by someone with a special interest in Neil Diamond songs, she did this as a Vistula representation of Play Me The lyrics of which are actually quite deep. Who knew Neil was so profound? Not me! The art I could see on Jessie's body is some of the nicest I've seen for a while. As always, makes me want to have more of my own done, but not enough to endure that level of pain. So I'll continue to document my desires in this way instead. #BodyArt #beauty #NeilDiamond #HappyDays #ar4h #peace #silence #tolerance #kindness #peace #CanonHillPark #SundaySessions
I created this blog to have a platform upon which I can contribute to enlightening people about the different ways we could use our creativity, spaces and resources. The City of Colours Festival was a prime example of the potential we as artsits have to make awesome things happen.
What began as a Kickstarter project, became a wonderful example of passionate planning, focus and sheer determination to make something happen. With a wonderful mixture of attendees from many demographics, St Basil's volunteers, performers, dancers, rappers, capoeira as well as driving business to the shops and businesses in the locality, and giving over 100 street artists an opportunity to showcase their work in a public arena I reckon the organisers Street Art Birmingham should go to bed super proud of what they achieved today. It was an unfortunate happenstance which I found myself repeating today, that I kept missing opportunities to capture some of the fabulous body art adorneding the attendees of Birmingham's first graffitti festival. I would be in the middle of a conversation and out of the corner of my eyes something beautiful would be passing me by, however, the clearly captivating conversation would draw me back in and try as I might I didn't manage to find the person again. However, I did take snaps of a few: I once read that butterflies need the challenge of struggling to get out of the cocoon in order to release a hormone into their blood, which makes the wings harden once they dry out. If the wings don't dry and harden the butterfly can't fly, and will die. Not much more profound a symbol than that for the quest to find and fall in love with yourself! There was an amazing artist taking face painting to a beautiful new level, making up the faces of girls and women alike. She was super talented, fortunately my friend snapped a pic of one of the women who'd had the side of her face painted, as she posed for her friend by the word wall in the Market Hall. It was fabulicicious. #CityOfColours #StreetArt #BodyArt #happydays #birmingham #CustardFactory #Digbeth #beauty #Love #WordWall #MarketHall #CityOfColoursFestival2014 You may have realised from reading some of my other blogs that I love Birmingham. It has recently gone WAY up in my estimation thanks to the new library and REP link, as well as all the fun and fabulous young artistes who are popping fully formed out of the metaphorical woodwork. There are many beautiful spaces and places to be in Birmingham, and the REP is one such space, this evening they have a pianist entertaining guests coming to watch Lenny Henry perform in his play about a record shop. The Sounds of Memories installation has been created to compliment the REP's new season, by transforming the FOYER into an "audio gallery" in which you "can hear soundtracks of Birmingham's rich musical culture, past and present..." It's a lovely idea. As you stand on the foot prints below the amps you are surrounded by the hum of people around you, the audio is fed down from above, and on this occasion, accompanied by stunning piano music. As I hung around not many people took the opportunity to stand and listen to someone else's experience of being at the REP. I guess they were all too busy experiencing it for themselves. If you're in the Library of Birmingham Go and check out the foyer of the REP, it's nice. #TheREP #HappyDays #Fun #Birmingham #random #SoundsOfMemories #Audio #footprints #walking #waiting #stillness Birmingham's creative scene has (in my opinion) been operating at an all time high this summer. At each event I'm confronted with talent of such high calibre I'm wondering why they aren't super stars, livin large, "sippin' on gin and juice". This evening Sid Fx and Christof Jennings were the stand out acts, particularly Christof, with his extraordinary vocal range, outstanding band and gorgeous co-singers. Completely different, his style and stage presence lit up the room and set the crowd on fire. Hosted by the lovely CallMeUnique, the Live Radio event collaboration was huge success, bringing together rappers, dances, singers and apparently an amazing 17 piece band (which I missed because I left in disgust after seeing the reggae artist groping a woman's breast in the crowd). Apart from that it was a great night. Birmingham is stepping up, and is an exciting place to be right now. You're particularly in luck if you're in the 18-26 age range (what the govt are classing as young), as there is a lot of funding being pumped into these age groups. Opportunities to collaborate are everywhere, and a couple of clicks on Facebook and you can easily find several events to attend every week. It's good stuff. I hope the momentum continues and the people involved in the creative scene take full advantage of the opportunities and funding available right now. It seems they really are. What I loved about this event too was that it was held in a nice venue. Too many things are held in shabby run down little places, but Nuvo Bar is one of the nicer, and lesser known places to be and be seen just off Broad Street. I look forward to returning in a couple of weeks hols to see what Birmingham has in store for my mind, body and soul that craves regular creative stimulation and connection with kindred spirits. #Collaboration #LiveCollabLab #radio #LiveRadio #arts #creativity #NuvoBar #HappyDays #Love #Singing #music #MakeItHappen #FollowYourDreams #LMC #Atk #CallMeUnique #SidFX #BeatBoxing #Rapping #dance #HipHop #LiveMusic #Bands #BigBandSound #ChristofJennings A few years ago someone shared this image of Marilyn Monroe with me, and I fell in love. In love with body art, and the way it can be used to enhance and bring a person to a unique place in this game of life. I wonder if Marilyn had been alive in this era, would she have adorned her body with art in this way. Classed as the most beautiful (and sought after) woman of her time, would society have seen her in the as way had she chosen to decorate herself in this albeit slightly extreme, yet beautiful way? What do you think? Full credit to Cheyenne Randall for this stunning rendition, which inspired me to seek out and photograph this process of beautifying the physical form. #ILoveBirmingham #StarWars #Yoda #Floating #StreetPerformers #Birmingham #HappyDays #love #SomethingABitDifferent Standing outside The Confession Box waiting for the Poetic Essence Awards to commence I-spied something beautiful in the form of a tattoo. As you know I am a big lover of sleeves, particularly on women as they tend to choose delicately aesthetically pleasing images to adorn their precious skin. Personally I couldn't get one done now that my pain threshold is so low. Thankfully it doesn't stop me from appreciating (with mild envy) other people's arms. Of course I couldn't let the moment pass without getting a pic of such an eloquently serene image. I didn't ask why she has a tattoo of her mom, it didn't feel appropriate at the time. Maybe I'll see her again, and the timing will be more conducive with obtaining intimate information. #BodyArt #ILoveTattoos #Beauty #PoeticEssence #Serenity #Peace #Mom #Love #Tattoos Nice touch having a rather well spoken and congenial "door man" at the entrance We both really enjoyed this rave. I love that Birmingham had so many interesting and diverse things happening in the creative arena at the moment. Finally we are giving ourselves a reason to be named the second city! Culture and creativity is, in my mind, one of the most important factors that will ensure the continued growth and evolution of a society. When we lose art in all its forms we lose a part of our spirit. At the Where Foes Talent Come From? conference and discussion I attended recently I watched numerous presentations by people who work with men in prisons and with young people labelled as NEET. The most powerful transformational tool being the use of art and giving people access to reconnecting with their creativity, a gift and a talent that I believe is integral to our survival. We are after all creators, created in the likeness of God. When we don't use our creative gifts we are shutting down the biggest part of ourselves. Art Rave website - Transient Art #ArtRave #TransientArt #TheBond #creativity #fun #music #dancing #art #openmind #Birmingham #culture #artscouncil #diverse #installation |