BROKE BODY BY MICHAEL JOHNSTON

Hello folks, 

Michael Johnston is a very lovely chap!  He is super fun, very handsome and has a very adorable border collie called Frankie.  Ontop of that, he paints!  Here is Michael's 'Body' submission titled 'Broke Body', measureing 40x40 inches, made from ink, acrylic and charcoal on canvas.  Tremendous!

Thanks Michael and welcome to Art Club!

x

BODY BY AMANDA PRIEST

I have always liked to photograph nudes, I have not had the chance to photograph nudes for a long time and had this shoot a few weeks back with a lovely model who wanted to capture her body as it while she is young. 

The shoot turned out great and I have to say it will be a lovely keepsake to look back on for her. 

Its one of those things, you rarely appreciate it at the time and then when you look back a few years on (or a few kids on) you think.. I did look great back then. We always put so much pressure on ourselves and our looks and keeping trim - For me, I have always had body issues - so it is nice to just stop and appreciate the one body you have. I was happy to see a young woman so comfortable in her own skin.

The first shot is studio lit and the second one is natural light. The difference in the photographs is amazing. One is classic soft lighting, soft edges and rather romantic feel, where as the second one is natural light and came up very raw, sharp and a bit more startling.

See what you think. (I have the models permission so no worries there)

Cheers,

Amanda

PICTISH WOMAN BY GILLIAN NIX

I came across this image in a book at work a few weeks ago.  The book was titled 'The Decorated Body' by Robert Brain which immediately caught my eye because of this month's theme, Body.  

I found the image above with the following information:

"A romanticised sixteenth-centuary view of a tattooed Pictish woman, by Theodore de Bry after John White.  According to Julius Caesar the ancient Britons were tattooed with animal patterns, and it is possible that the word 'Briton' is derived from a Breton word meaning 'painted in various colours".

  How very interesting!  Apparently, Pictish women were valued much differently compared to today.  They were the royal heirs, they fought in battles and the most interesting of all is that it was common for female Picts to have their bodies fully tattooed.  I love the idea of women being completely decorated with animal patterns and floral tattoos which immediately gave me some visual ideas for this month's project.

This month I have been running some life drawing classes for senior students at work.  A few times when I wasn't too busy helping students, I was able to do a few quick sketches of the life models.  This particular pose I rather liked, and chose to develop the drawing for this idea. This is a relief lino print.  (I'm sure that you are fully aware of my slightly obsessive relationship to lino - I love it!) 

I had a few difficulties when I was printing this lino.  The irregular shape and fine lines gave me many headaches, but I got some prints that I am reasonably happy with.  Hope you like it!

Gillian 

Here is the carved piece of lino...

The original life drawing sketches...