BodyPainting Day Coming to Washington Square Park NYC

Photo: John Ahearn
Stunningly painted model in body paint poses as a photographer zooms in and the spectators enjoy the finish living work of art.

BodyPainting Day will return to New York City on July 22, 2017, from 12 pm to 4 pm at Washington Square Park in the historical Greenwich Village area.

This will be the first of four international BodyPainting Day events occurring in 2017.

Regardless of body type, age or gender, this event shows the public that anyone can be transformed into a beautiful work of art by a body painting artist.

According to body painting artist Andy Golub, who organized the first Bodypainting Day in New York City in 2014, the public is encouraged to come and observe as body painting artists transform models into unique works of art all within public view.

He also points out that most people may not realize it, but there are a lots of costs involved in running a free public event.

Insurance, travel, rental fees, tents, supplies, signage, security, event staff, website, social media are just some of the costs necessary to run these events, so he encourages the public and art loves to help support BodyPainting Day through their Kickstarter campaign.

Credit: John Ahearn
Body painted models are camouflage among the trees on Broadway during the initial BodyPainting Day in New York City. Can you see the head of each of the two models?

Last years, Bodypaining Day showcased some truly amazing transformations through the art of body paining.

International artist Robin Slonina performed a transformed on beautiful model Bethani Gruber by turning her into a stunning winged creature.

Slonina has provided us with some insight into her body painting techniques.

When deciding on the design for her bodypaint Slonina states, "I am the type of bodypainter that really likes to plan ahead. I research images, do a sketch and custom cut stencils in preparation for my body art. But my normal working method doesn't really suit Bodypainting Day, where part of the fun is being spontaneous and organic and reacting to the energy of your model.

I had a vision of wings, so I did a basic sketch the day before.

But it's hard to sketch when you aren't sure if you will be painting a man or woman, because this year the models were randomly assigned to us that day.

I think it was destiny that I was given Bethani to paint because she is such an angel that my wing design perfectly suited her.

Photo: John Ahearn
Model sports a body paited sun glasses look, as body painter artist completes the look and photographer capures it all.

I improvised the design on her face and legs, and the shimmer of light coming out of her chest was definitely inspired by my model's unique energy."

Another body painting artist at last year’s body painting day was Breanna Cooke who can turn a mere mortal into a riveting creature, a formidable looking dragon.

She created a masterful dragon design featuring a large pink heart encased in gold, gigantic owl shaped eyes floating in pools of white, blue body feathers and a powerful blue and white mask.

This year’s event will be at Washington Square Park which features the Washington Square Arch.

The Arc was modeled after the Arc de Triomphe and designed by architect Stanford White was erected in 1892.

The park also features a large outdoor fountain.

Throughout the years, Washington Square Park has served as a place for artists, performers and musicians.

Credit: John Ahearn
WPIX reporter Magee Hickey interviews a body painted model with eyes in the back of her back.

On any given day you can enjoy the park as you watch jugglers go by on a unicycle, dancers twirling multi hoola hoops, painters capturing the mood of the park and the city on canvas, while chest players concentrate on their next move.

The park has also provided a back drop for many motion pictures including Ghostbusters II which featured a large ghost flowing through the Washington Square Park Arch.

In the movie Deep Impact, the arch, park and chest players were sweep away in a giant tsunamis wave that flooded New York City.

The park’s arch also served as a backdrop for the movies Barefoot in the Park, Don’t Eat the Daisies, Enchanted, Hair, When Harry Met Sally and many more.

If you would like a bird eye view of some of the locations used for filming TV shows and movies in Washington Square Park go to the site MovieMaps.

In addition to New York City on July 22, 2017, BodyPainting Day will also take place on August 12, 2017 in Amsterdam, August 19,2017 in Berlin and conclude in San Francisco on October 14, 2017.

For more interesting body paintig stories, check out the following articals:

Body Painting and Makeup Fashion News and Pictures

Body Painting - All Eyes On the Models - Part I

Body Painting - All Eyes On the Models - Part II

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