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Body painting is a
form of expression used by people who like to be
naked to communicate feelings and ideas about the
human body by using the body itself as the canvas.
Such ideas may sometimes be of a sexual nature,
but that is only a small part of the possible
range of thoughts that can be expressed in this
way.
It shouldn't be
very surprising that people who like to be naked
also like to paint bodies or have their own
painted. It is a fairly common pastime at
nudist/naturist gatherings and events, and other
festive occasions where naked people are found.
A naked body
makes a pretty good canvas for creative
expression. In fact, the expanded possibilities
for self expression that are possible when one
doesn't wear clothes form one of the chief
attractions of being naked for some people.
What people who
are interested in the body as an expressive medium
have in common with those who just like to be
naked is a certain attitude towards the body. An
attitude that is more detached and objective than
"normal". An attitude that accepts, without
flinching, the body for what it is, and then uses
it to realize new concepts of "corpo-reality".
Is body painting
an erotic thing? Clearly, it can be, just as
certain choices in clothing can be erotic.
However, it need not be any more erotic than
other, non-erotic forms of appreciation of the
body for its own sake.
Make Up Artist's
Opinion on Paints
As a Make-up
Artist and Body painter I feel it is important
that you think of the Health and Safety Aspect of
what you are doing. Some of the comments are
recommending non-cosmetic art supplies and
products for use on the skin. This is an extremely
unadvisable thing to do. I have approached many
art supplies manufacturers and been told in no
uncertain terms that the products are NOT safe for
use on human skin! Cosmetic products (such as
Mehron, Kryolan, Fardel and Grimas Body and Face
paints) have conformed to US and EC regulations
for cosmetic products.
Using art
products on a model which have not been tested and
OK'd could result in a hefty law suit landing on
your lap if the model develops contact dermatitis
as a result or misses a modeling assignment due to
an allergic reaction. More importantly you could
do real damage to someone by simply not thinking.
There are hundreds of fantastic safe products
available on the net and from Theatrical and
Professional Make-Up retailers. So please think
before you paint!
Oh and the thing
about not covering the whole body is not true. It
is perfectly safe to do so... someone has been
watching too much James Bond (Goldfinger!) In the
world of fetish some people clad themselves
entirely in rubber with nothing but a small straw
sticking out of their mouths to breathe, all that
happens is they sweat a lot. Most make-up is
breathable to a certain extent, although if it is
very thick a model may sweat. Dri Clor or a really
powerful anti-perspirant applied first will do the
trick, followed by a good dose of spray sealant
once you are finished. |