Jen's Trip to Bodypainting Champs
Donation protected
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has arrived, which can only manifest into being through the support of my friends. Allow me to share...
Next month, I will be gathering with my bodypainting tribe to compete in the biggest bodypainting competition in the Western Hemisphere—The North American Bodypainting Championship, which is being held this year at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina. Inclusion in the event isn’t easy. A panel of experts rigorously screens artists worldwide, and I was surprised as anybody that the panel thought my work worthy of entry. I actually can’t believe I got in because it’s kind of an international thing. I kind of went for it and I got it. And I’m like crazy psyched. But, I can’t do it alone.
I’ll tell you a little bit about my background. I create art because that’s just what I do. I’m compelled to do it. I began as a drawer—loved trying to draw Jim Morrison from off the cover of the Best of the Doors album. I grew up studying art when artists got paid to paint designs like Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon LP cover on the back of a Levi’s jean jacket. In college I switched gears from drawing to painting—because I discovered and fell in love with the world of color. Here’s a pic of the last drawing that I own of mine; it’s one I did for Randy Williams’ Drawing class at Manhattanville College when I was 18.
After college, I was on bad meds for many years, (to learn more click: My Story On Meds ), and I couldn’t paint. I was no longer physically able to master the hold of a paintbrush anymore, and I had little inspiration because my creativity had been strangled out of me. But in time, after many meds adjustments and renewed hope in accessing that dormant inner creative spark, I picked up the paintbrush again. This time as a face painter.
After teaching for 14 years inside the NYS school system, I wanted to stay at home raising my son, but I needed extra cash so I started small—I grabbed the Halloween face crème from off the shelf and tried my best. Eventually, the business grew, and as I continued to learn the craft, I fell into the world of body painting.
While attending a face painting convention in Connecticut five years ago, I was introduced to body painting and immediately fell in love. A whole world opened up to me that’s all about the art on the body and how the body works itself as a canvas. The artform of bodypainting becomes a living art experience, both dramatic and personal. My passion for my medium had begun.
For many years I developed my portfolio, competed a bit, won a few awards here and there. All while I worked committedly, painting for long hours on hot summer days under the roof of my face painting tent, taking in an honest earned wage at 10 bucks a face. But last month, I had the incredible opportunity to link up with NYC body painter Andy Golub to participate in the third annual NYC Bodypainting Day, a convergence of 100 fully nude models and 75 painters at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in Manhattan.
The whole purpose of the event is about freedom of expression and celebration of art. It was an incredible experience because there was this amazing interchange between the artists, the passersby and the models. We were in the midst of an experiential community art event. People really were wowed with the results of our long hard work that took 4 hours to create. Moving through the city atop a double decker bus, the models were living, breathing pieces of art. We all participated in bringing live art out to the public. And what a joy it was to see so many smiles.
Learn more about my NYC Bodypainting Day journey:Behind the Scenes: Refinery 29 and Bodypainting Day
Soon after that, to my utter surprise I was accepted into the international championships, and I’m thrilled like a pig in mud. Getting encouraged to share my art with a much wider audience? That’s the stardust nature that dreams are made of. Only problem is, I have no budgeted funds for the trip.
Opportunities don’t always come around, so now that one’s shown up, I need to take it. So I am raising money for the starving artist that I am, so that I may express my vision through my chosen artistic medium by participating in The North American Bodypainting Championship event from September 21st to Sept 25th. Get a taste from a previous show and see what the event is all about:
North American Bodypainting Championship 2014
Supporting the arts is one of the most important things a person can do because it gives birth to new artistic expression, which positively influences our society. And it is only through generous benefactors that we artists even have a chance at doing what we love to do. Won’t you support the project of a starving artist, if only for the sake of art?
If you feel like you’d like to donate to my cause—which is making the world a beautiful place through art—the funds raised will allow me to meet my budget. Every amount helps, big or small, and I am so thankful for anything that you are able to do. A dollar towards a cup of coffee on my way, or any other amount you’d like to donate towards my trip’s expenses would be so deeply appreciated. Here’s the exact plan on how your donations will be used:
Budget:
Lodging: $75 per night for 5 nights; $375
Travel: $350 roundtrip airfare to Greensboro, NC
Accessories: $150 for wig, eyelashes, shoes, appliances
Headpiece construction: $75
Food: $15 per day for 6 days (includes my nuts and berries); $90
Car rental: $170 for 6 days
Gas: $25
Paint and supplies: $50
Loss of paid weekend work: $360
Total expenses: $1,645.00
All participants who donate $20 and above will receive a $20 coupon towards any one of my services (face painting at parties, body painting photo sessions, prenatal belly art).
Thank you for listening to my story. It always means so much to me to have my friends and family believe in my artistic vision. I feel like you all take the journey with me, and I am truly so grateful to everyone for being so encouraging and supportive. And from a humble heart, I thank you in advance for your donation.
Please check out more of my bodypainting at: Bodypainting Portfolio
And learn more about my work as a writer too at: www.notascrazyasyouthink.com
Next month, I will be gathering with my bodypainting tribe to compete in the biggest bodypainting competition in the Western Hemisphere—The North American Bodypainting Championship, which is being held this year at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina. Inclusion in the event isn’t easy. A panel of experts rigorously screens artists worldwide, and I was surprised as anybody that the panel thought my work worthy of entry. I actually can’t believe I got in because it’s kind of an international thing. I kind of went for it and I got it. And I’m like crazy psyched. But, I can’t do it alone.
I’ll tell you a little bit about my background. I create art because that’s just what I do. I’m compelled to do it. I began as a drawer—loved trying to draw Jim Morrison from off the cover of the Best of the Doors album. I grew up studying art when artists got paid to paint designs like Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon LP cover on the back of a Levi’s jean jacket. In college I switched gears from drawing to painting—because I discovered and fell in love with the world of color. Here’s a pic of the last drawing that I own of mine; it’s one I did for Randy Williams’ Drawing class at Manhattanville College when I was 18.
After college, I was on bad meds for many years, (to learn more click: My Story On Meds ), and I couldn’t paint. I was no longer physically able to master the hold of a paintbrush anymore, and I had little inspiration because my creativity had been strangled out of me. But in time, after many meds adjustments and renewed hope in accessing that dormant inner creative spark, I picked up the paintbrush again. This time as a face painter.
After teaching for 14 years inside the NYS school system, I wanted to stay at home raising my son, but I needed extra cash so I started small—I grabbed the Halloween face crème from off the shelf and tried my best. Eventually, the business grew, and as I continued to learn the craft, I fell into the world of body painting.
While attending a face painting convention in Connecticut five years ago, I was introduced to body painting and immediately fell in love. A whole world opened up to me that’s all about the art on the body and how the body works itself as a canvas. The artform of bodypainting becomes a living art experience, both dramatic and personal. My passion for my medium had begun.
For many years I developed my portfolio, competed a bit, won a few awards here and there. All while I worked committedly, painting for long hours on hot summer days under the roof of my face painting tent, taking in an honest earned wage at 10 bucks a face. But last month, I had the incredible opportunity to link up with NYC body painter Andy Golub to participate in the third annual NYC Bodypainting Day, a convergence of 100 fully nude models and 75 painters at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in Manhattan.
The whole purpose of the event is about freedom of expression and celebration of art. It was an incredible experience because there was this amazing interchange between the artists, the passersby and the models. We were in the midst of an experiential community art event. People really were wowed with the results of our long hard work that took 4 hours to create. Moving through the city atop a double decker bus, the models were living, breathing pieces of art. We all participated in bringing live art out to the public. And what a joy it was to see so many smiles.
Learn more about my NYC Bodypainting Day journey:Behind the Scenes: Refinery 29 and Bodypainting Day
Soon after that, to my utter surprise I was accepted into the international championships, and I’m thrilled like a pig in mud. Getting encouraged to share my art with a much wider audience? That’s the stardust nature that dreams are made of. Only problem is, I have no budgeted funds for the trip.
Opportunities don’t always come around, so now that one’s shown up, I need to take it. So I am raising money for the starving artist that I am, so that I may express my vision through my chosen artistic medium by participating in The North American Bodypainting Championship event from September 21st to Sept 25th. Get a taste from a previous show and see what the event is all about:
North American Bodypainting Championship 2014
Supporting the arts is one of the most important things a person can do because it gives birth to new artistic expression, which positively influences our society. And it is only through generous benefactors that we artists even have a chance at doing what we love to do. Won’t you support the project of a starving artist, if only for the sake of art?
If you feel like you’d like to donate to my cause—which is making the world a beautiful place through art—the funds raised will allow me to meet my budget. Every amount helps, big or small, and I am so thankful for anything that you are able to do. A dollar towards a cup of coffee on my way, or any other amount you’d like to donate towards my trip’s expenses would be so deeply appreciated. Here’s the exact plan on how your donations will be used:
Budget:
Lodging: $75 per night for 5 nights; $375
Travel: $350 roundtrip airfare to Greensboro, NC
Accessories: $150 for wig, eyelashes, shoes, appliances
Headpiece construction: $75
Food: $15 per day for 6 days (includes my nuts and berries); $90
Car rental: $170 for 6 days
Gas: $25
Paint and supplies: $50
Loss of paid weekend work: $360
Total expenses: $1,645.00
All participants who donate $20 and above will receive a $20 coupon towards any one of my services (face painting at parties, body painting photo sessions, prenatal belly art).
Thank you for listening to my story. It always means so much to me to have my friends and family believe in my artistic vision. I feel like you all take the journey with me, and I am truly so grateful to everyone for being so encouraging and supportive. And from a humble heart, I thank you in advance for your donation.
Please check out more of my bodypainting at: Bodypainting Portfolio
And learn more about my work as a writer too at: www.notascrazyasyouthink.com
Organiser
Jennifer Gaita Siciliano
Organiser
Mahopac, NY
