Working in an artist residency at Il Palmerino has provided a wealth of opportunities to experiment with creativity. For this particular project, we sought to create body painting art in the pristine beauty of Tuscany. Specifically, Pisa seemed the optimal site for this project given its picturesque cityscapes and the iconic white marble architecture of the fabled Leaning Tower of Pisa. It is hard to think of a more perfect setting for exploring with the creation of body painting artwork.
What many people may not realize is that the Leaning Tower of Pisa actually serves as the cathedral for the Piazza dei Miracoli, a property owned by the Catholic Church. One of the core considerations in approaching this project was the conservative nature of the surrounding site. Fortunately, as part of my artist residency at Il Palmerino, I was able to obtain permission from Domus Comelina to paint in front of this beautiful view.
Domus Comelina is a historical location in itself, located in the heart of Pisa near the tower. It is frequently the site for a number of events including weddings, fundraisers, cultural events, and corporate events. The ability to utilize this locale as the setting for this exhibition was truly a highlight of the experience.
With a beautiful location secured, it was time to begin the art. I cleverly body painted a fake bikini on the back of the model so none of the tourists would realize she was fully nude. This helped to effectively respect the conservative nature of the area while allowing me to work diligently without distractions. As is common practice, the bodypainting itself took several long hours as I sought to carefully craft the details necessary for the project. I was fortunate to be working with an excellent model, who was committed to the project and easy to direct.
However, this exhibit was not without a little bit of challenge. Partway through the process, the model began to experience some circulation issues and passed out. However, after receiving a little care and striving to move forward with determination on behalf of the model, we were able to proceed with the project. At the conclusion of the process, we were able to reveal a beautiful painting.
As can be seen from the final photos, the result is a piece of art where the model is shrouded in the camouflage of the gorgeous surrounding scenery. The bulk of the body captures the colors and texture of nearby foliage. Meanwhile, the left body highlights the Romanesque artistry of the Leaning Tower of Pisa itself. When standing at the ideal angle, the model disappears to the naked eye, blending in perfectly and highlighting a successful project. Overall, this was a wonderful artistic experience in a beautiful setting. I could not be more excited about the quality of the finished product.
Here are a few in-process photos by Bertrand Orsal that help illustrate the process of transforming the model into the surrounding scenery.
