Body Art in the Flesh

I wanted to share with you today some our work from a body painting business that I and a couple friends have been doing this year in our "spare" time on the weekends. Lily Gonsalez and I (Karen Light) are the body painting artists and Lynda Guillu is the photographer. Our idea was to not only paint something that the client would like, but create an personal, perhaps even spiritual, experience that they could also take with them. We wanted our clients to really feel their individual beauty inside and out. We have now painted women (and some men) of all shapes, colors, and sizes. All of them arrive feeling vulnerable and insecure about some part of their bodies. So, as we get to work drawing and painting, we pamper them with wine, snacks, music, incense, and friendly conversation to keep their minds off of what is happening until they forget to even be self-conscious. Slowly, as the colors start to pop and the images take shape, they become more and more excited. By the time the camera comes out, they are ready to strike a pose. Even the most shy, reserved clients become alive and open during the photo shoot. It's been an amazing experience for me to be a part of this process. I feel very honored to be along with our clients as their transformation unfolds. I see the freedom that they suddenly feel in their own skin and find these moments of self-love to be inspiring and hopeful and it's deeply gratifying to know that I have been a part of making that happen.