When I’m in nature I often get visions and flashes of ideas that put me in direct communication with spirit. To honour these experiences I do what I can to make the visions a reality.

I had a vision of merging my body with a bird body, which is the basis of the ‘Red Bird Body Painting’ piece.  I approached body painter and makeup artist Sue Upton to see if she would collaborate with me on this project. She is a powerful creative force, so I knew that we could come up with a way to make this happen.

Here are some of the preliminary sketches as we try to figure out how this idea is going to become a reality…

Once we figured out a pose and a composition for the piece, we had to figure out what the bird would look like. Here are some of the sketches showing the various birds that were considered before finally deciding on the final one.

Here is the final bird painting…

This is a life size canvas bird painting, which serves as the backdrop for the body painting.

Although I am a painter myself, I felt it was important for Sue Upton to paint the bird so that it would match her body painting style.  She did an excellent job.

Creating this piece was a two day job.

There was a lot of preliminary work involved in figuring out the details for this piece.  The actual photoshoot was quick considering all the prep. time.  The final image was photographed by Kevin Thom.

Here I am as the Red Bird….

‘Laura Hollick as Red Bird’. Photographed by Kevin Thom. Painting& body painting by Sue Upton.

Body Painting is a unique creative process where the body becomes the canvas and the ground for an idea to take shape.  There is a quote by Henry Miller, that I’ve really taken literally:

“Whoever uses the spirit that is in them creatively is an artist. To make living itself the art, that is the goal.”

To me, this means that the true art is to become a living breathing expression of your spirit.  Body painting is one of the ways that allows me to become the art.

Do you want to see more body painting pieces I’ve been part of?

Check out when I was transformed into a tree with birds CLICK HERE

See how I was transformed into a blue forest CLICK HERE

Of course I can’t birth every single idea, but I can select the ones that juice me up the most and make them a priority.

This is my daily practice, I go through all the ideas I have and I decide which ones will make it to full realization. Once I’ve decided I put things in motion for it to happen.

One of the themes I explore frequently is my relationship with birds and trees. Do you remember when I turned into a tree last year….

'Winter Tree' Laura Hollick as tree, costume and concept by Laura. Makeup by Rachel Duff. Photo by Kevin Thom.

This year I wanted to try another way to become a tree with birds.

I wondered if I could be painted as a tree?

I approached body painter and makeup artist Sue Upton and asked if she could body paint a tree and bird on and around me, and she enthusiastically said “Yes!”

Then I talked over the idea with my favourite collaborator photographer Kevin Thom and the idea appealed to him too.

So, with all the team players in place, we were ready to make it happen.

Here is a shot of the process of being body painted.

Laura Hollick being body painted by Sue Upton. Photo by Kevin Thom

Being half naked in the middle of November in Canada for hours isn’t exactly the most comfortable experience, but that is what it took to realize the vision.

Something I’ve learned from all the different creative projects I’ve been part of, birthing a dream isn’t always comfortable, in fact it can sometimes be out right uncomfortable. But when the vision is clear it is all worth it.

Here is the final image from this creative adventure…..

Laura Hollick as tree with bird. Body painting, hair, makeup by Sue Upton. Photo by Kevin Thom

Being an artist is all about dreaming it and doing it!

I’d love to hear what you think about this piece….

3 things I like to do to keep myself balanced

1.  Complain

2. Notice what I don’t like

3. Make an ugly face in the mirror

The value I experience from this…

1.Clear’s the system

2.Highlights the true desire

3. Opens space for humour

Laura Hollick's dark side. Photo by Kevin Thom. Hair, makeup, body paint by Sue Upton

Dance with your whole heart and soul.

Laura Hollick dancing. Photo by Karolina Kuras

Creativity ain’t always pretty.

'Picasso recreation' Laura Hollick as a Picasso painting. Part of the 'Masterpiece series'. Photo by Kevin Thom. Body painting by Tamara Mitchell

Take a wild journey and follow your dreams.

'Dragon Journey' watercolour by Laura Hollick

Be ART!

'Winter Tree' Laura Hollick as a winter tree. Photo by Kevin Thom. Makeup by Rachel Duff