BodyArtByKeegan takes on the world!

My name is Keegan Hitchcock. I'm 34 years old,(35 in June) originally from Miami, now living in Jacksonville, FL. I am trying to raise money to travel to the World Body Painting Festival at the end of June - beginning of July 2015. Here's a condensed story of my evolution as a painter as well as why I want to make this trip and why I am asking for your help:

I have been doodling, drawing, playing with make up, etc for the majority of my life.  

(thats me in the middle after painting beards on the boys,  eyeshadow on the girls & both on myself)
My mom started face painting when I was about 9 years old. I got to attend a few face painting classes with her, be a canvas for amazing artists, and learn quite a bit. I started working as a face painter as soon as I could drive!   

I loved it!  Years later I was introduced to body painting and some wonderful friends let me start practicing on them...
Eventually I felt confident enough to start showing people and offer this service along with face painting. After a while, and with the push of a great friend and boss & reaching out to all the contacts I had made with face painting thus far, I  started face painting full time with a bit of body painting too! This lasted for several years thanks to a wonderful network of people in my hometown.

During that time I have been humbled and grateful to have met and worked with some amazing people on some amazing projects. I was involved in the Breast Cancer Awareness Body Paint Project, I got to paint for tips at friend's booths in horror conventions and comic conventions, I've painted for celebrities at their children's birthday parties, I've had my work featured on E! television and even on an international album cover! I have been teaching others what I have learned both online as an instructor on FABAtv and sometimes as an instructor with a south Florida make up artistry school. 

("Kiwi Flowers" BCABPP survivor/model below)

The whole way, I was thrilled and grateful, but as with many people who work in any artistic field, I was always struggling just to keep ahead of bills and expenses. 

Last year I relocated and my painting work has dramatically declined.  I was naive enough to think it would be no big deal changing cities but after many months of the lowest financial standing I have ever lived through I realized that  to be a working artist you need community! You need a network and visibility...
and THAT my friends (and soon to be friends) is why I am reaching out!

Last year I hit rock bottom artisitically speaking. Though I met some great people and participated in a few art events, I felt like I was a failure as an artist. Try and try again, I could not find enough paying clientele to survive on my painting, so it was put on the back burner.  I took several low paying jobs just to try and stay out of the red. After several months I found 2 jobs at which the managers actually encouraged and supported my getting back to what it is I am passionate about. (thank you PWAT and WFM!) 

I have relocated a second time now & gone down to just 1 job plus working as a painter. It is my goal to thrive again!  I want to make people proud.  I don't want to ONLY take on the work that pays the bills. I've only let myself compete locally a few times & haven't really traveled to participate in painting events because it is an expense with no guaranteed pay off, and I could never afford that.  

I want to live up to the title of "artist" that others have used to describe me. I want to work! I want to earn my living & share my designs and creations with the world. Part of that goal includes doing something I have always wanted to do, attend and compete at the World Body Painting Festival in Austria

This experience will inspire me, train me in new techniques, push my creative limits, help me network, and give me visibility in a global artistic community. I believe this will give me that necessary push to get back on track to once again be a full time artist. I think this trip will serve as a reminder of how to live again with a balance of being creative and working hard to earn a living.

The WBPF is basically a whole city of artists!! Though technically competing, they all share their passions and ideas with one another freely.  It is an  environment where you are surrounded by creators from all over the world, not just your own country. For years I have heard stories from colleagues and friends as well as watched every recap from the festival's many years running.

I have been accepted into the "amateur: brush and sponge" and the "amateur: open" categories & hope to assist a well known body artist in the second day of competitions (I will update when I find out for sure).

It was not an easy decision to create this campaign! I have always been an independent and stubborn person. I have always paid my own way and/or worked in exchange for everything I've done. During my struggles last year, many of the wonderful people in my life allowed me to realize that asking for help is OK sometimes.

These competitions require a lot of practice, a lot of materials, and a lot of travel and other expenses. That is where the help comes in! All donations will go toward:
*updated list of where the money is going*

Most paint supplies covered by my wonderful friend, teacher/mentor Alex Hanson & Cameleon paint!!! THANK YOU!
Airfair : $1878
Lodging: $145
WBF Registration: $62.57
Nipple covers & underwear for models both days : $40 (if you don't count the 2 extra pair of back ups bought)
Headpiece supplies $25
Esitmated bus/cab/train fair for the duration of the trip: $200 
Food:  If i keep it close to $30 per day it'll be $245
= $2595.57
Thats where the most of money is going and as cheaply as I could get everything, also using some supplies I already had.. Of course I spent a little bit more on other random supplies, glitter, deoderant, etc to have for the model and myself (earplugs! deoderant etc) while there  plus the goal was padded a bit to balance out the fees from the site here. *GoFundMe will deduct a 5% fee from each donation you receive. WePay (who actually sends the money to me)deducts 2.9% + $0.30 per donation

So, there it is!  I am putting it out into the world, staying motivated, positive and creative while I hope for the best. Those who can and want to help, even $1 is greatly appreciated, so THANK YOU!!!

I plan to make thank you gifts in the form of prints, mini paintings, and/or other hand made items.  
Thank you for your patience! Those who sent contributions after June, I will get them to you ASAP after the trip!  Soozie, Michelle B and Devon, you all have paintings coming to you :D thank you for being awesome AND patient!

You can also find me on facebook.com/bodyartbykeegan and instagram @keegan_hitchcock

To the highest donation I want to offer your choice of my face painting serivices at your party, a full body painting in the design of your choice or if you prefer, a custom painting on canvas.

Thank you so much for reading! If you are not able to help financially,  believe me I understand! Please share and pass along to anybody and everybody you think may be interested.
<3