Photo taken from www.myspace.com/vonbourbon
I'm still busy getting my art work finished as I plan to show my new series of watercolours based on nautical themes and sailor tatoos in a show I'm doing in October in Manchester's Gay Village. At the moment I'm sourcing frames and materials to customise them with...I'm very excited, more info to follow!
In the meantime I thought I'd tell you about my favourite British burlesque performer Beatrix Von Bourbon. I first became aware of her when she performed at the private view of the Ooh La La exhibition I took part in in 2007. The show was Britain's first burlesque inspired art exhibition and I'm really proud to have been part of it!
In the meantime I thought I'd tell you about my favourite British burlesque performer Beatrix Von Bourbon. I first became aware of her when she performed at the private view of the Ooh La La exhibition I took part in in 2007. The show was Britain's first burlesque inspired art exhibition and I'm really proud to have been part of it!
Photo taken from www.myspace.com/vonbourbon
This was before I started to perform as one half of The Chantilly Belles and I was so excited to see some live burlesque. I was absolutely entranced by Miss Von Bourbon's performances! She did two in all and I remember that even when her music ran out half way through the second act she carried on and still wowed the crowd!
The reason I like her as a performer so much is that she is extemeley intuative when it comes to burlesque. She has a strong character that singles her out from many other strip based acts making her unique in looks and stage persona. She is also very funny on stage and to top it off she has the most incredible tattoos that add to her allure. Her acts have gone from strength to strength and she has gone on to perform internationally, last year taking part in a three month residency at Friedrichsbau Variete Stuttgart, Germany.
Last year I painted Beatrix after she modelled for me. I was inspired by her tattoos and wanted to paint a piece that told a story about revealing truths. In her portrait she is slowly pulling away her blouse to reveal her tattoo chest piece. It's up to the viewer to decide if she is being tentative, coy or seductive. I included the painting in my ongoing series My Baby's got a Secret which you can see HERE. Miss Von Bourbon also makes a cheeky anonymous appearance on my Bon Bons series which you can see HERE!
Last year I painted Beatrix after she modelled for me. I was inspired by her tattoos and wanted to paint a piece that told a story about revealing truths. In her portrait she is slowly pulling away her blouse to reveal her tattoo chest piece. It's up to the viewer to decide if she is being tentative, coy or seductive. I included the painting in my ongoing series My Baby's got a Secret which you can see HERE. Miss Von Bourbon also makes a cheeky anonymous appearance on my Bon Bons series which you can see HERE!
'Beauty Marked' Acyrlic on canvas 2008
Now that I also perform burlesque my appreciation of the art form has only increased as I know what a lot of hard work goes into creating each act and promoting it, the anxiety and adrenalin of performing and the huge sense of fun and fulfilment you get from the whole experience!
Myself and Beatrix Von Bourbon at the Candybox 2007
2 comments:
Gorgeous work Gemma and well said. I saw Beatrix perform at hurly Burly in Derby earlier in the year and she was by far the most expressive and commanding performer.I was incredibily mpressed by her 'Tooth Fairy'...
I love the burlesque style, and my favorite burlesque artist is Dita Von Teesse but I'm stil loving the British burlesque performer Beatrix Von Bourbon, she's amazing!
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