A Brush With Burlesque: London trip part 1

Yesterday I returned from London after spending a packed few days taking in some of the glamour currently housed in the city. It seems very apt that this was also London Burlesque Week and the perfect time for East Gallery on Brick Lane to host an exhibition of artists from across the UK who all have been inspired by the British burlesque scene.

 With my Bon Bon's paintings at A Brush With Burlesque

I am so happy to have been part of this exposee proudly presenting contemporary burlesque in all it's forms; From the comic to the seriously sensuous, A Brush With Burlesque covered it all, and it was fun to walk around the exhibition and recognise so many performers I either know or have seen on stage immortalised in paint and ink.

Works by Charlotte Rhodes, myself and Ella Guru at a Brush With Burlesque

I particualarly enjoyed works by Ella Guru, whose reclining burlesque figure Missy Macabre packed a punch! I could imagine this painting in a national gallery alongside Victorian nudes. There is something about it that has history, narrative, glamour but also grit; there's definately a story waiting to be told here.

 Linda O Grady's paintings at A Brush With Burlesque

I also enjoyed work by Linda O Grady whose detailed pieces captured performers almost unawares, heightening their mystery and glamour but also reminding us that they are real people too; confirming that burlesque cannot be confined by age or form.

Becky Ryan's pencil drawings were a delight to see; beautifully executed on brown art paper she creates small and complete pieces that make you want to look again and again.

Work by Mark Bell at A Brush With Burlesque

I also admired work by Mark Bell one of the curators of the show, whose paintings ooze atmosphere and elegance. Anyone who has been to see a good burlesque show will recognise the laughter anticipation and intimacy seen in his work.

 Work by Charlotte Thompson Morely, Charlotte Rhodes, Nick Beedles and Kev Grey at A Brush With Burlesque

The show was full of great artists, in truth I could talk about them all, if there was a 'like' button in the show I would have pressed it until it broke! The standard of art was incredibly high and varied and the good news is that if you missed the chance to see this treasure trove in person, the official website www.abrushwithburlesque.com is staying online as a directory to all these fab artists. Plus you can catch a glimpse of the private view and more on the A Brush With Burlesque Facebook Page!

 Beatrix Von Bourbon next to her portrait at the private view. Photo by Alex Small

A big thanks to Mark and Sarah for curating the show and putting in all the effort, it certainly paid off.

 With Sarah in front on my painting 'Beauty Marked'

A Brush with Burlesque, a visit to London

I'm off to see A Brush With Burlesque this week. I can't wait to see the selection of burlesque art by the UK artists which I am exhibiting alongside! The show features paintings inspired by the British burlesque scene and is a who's who of UK talent, so I'm going to play guess the burlesque perfomer while there! Also while in London town I will also be catching a Marilyn Monroe exhibit featuring clothes worn by the great lady herself, so I should be completely full to the eyeballs with glamour by the time I get home! Will report back soon***

A Brush with Burlesque

East Gallery

214 Brick lane

E1 6SA

1-7pm daily until 13th May 2012

FREE

Beatrix Von Bourbon to win Britain's Got talent!

I just want to say a huge congratulations to my favourite UK burlesque performer Beatrix Von Bourbon for passing the auditions of Britain's Got Talent this weekend! I am so excited for her!

Beatrix modelled for me a few years ago and was a brilliant subject to paint. Sexy, evocative and a real show woman, she was enthusiastic and very sweet. I still think how great it was of her to pose in not one but three different outfits for me as I clicked away with my camera. 

Beauty Marked modelled by Beatrix Von Bourbon

She also appeared in my Bon Bon's series, all be it anonymously. Her peachy bottom still is one of my most popular  pieces to date!

After Eight:  Model Beatrix Von Bourbon

I find it wonderfully refreshing to see someone on TV who is not only really and truly talented, but someone who also represents an alternative to the cookie cut examples of beauty we are beginning to think of as the norm. In an age where the standard of female attractiveness is judged by what shade of orange you are and where you had your boob job done, it is a breath of fresh air to watch Von Bourbon perform. Her brand of beauty is so stunning because she is unusual. As always you get my vote Beatrix!

That's so hot right now!

Here's a picture of me sporting the must have item of this season, the exclusive t.shirt for UK burlesque star Beatrix Von Bourbon! Being one of my favourite performers, Miss VB has been the subject of some of my art work in the past, to see my portrait of Beatrix visit my website HERE

You can also find out more about Beatrix and her t.shirts HERE.

Beatrix Von Bourbon

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!

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!

Photo taken from www.myspace.com/vonbourbon

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!

'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

The Chantilly Belles are coming to Oxford!

This Friday myself and Rene La Rouge (The Chantilly Belles) are heading off on a mammoth road trip! We start out in North Wales to visit our good friends Scarlet Fever the star of Channel Four's 'Faking It Burlesque Special' and her husband the lovable rogue Tony Fever.

While there we are having a photo shoot with the impeccable Candee Photography on Saturday morning. We are so excitied about this as Candee has snapped some of the most prominent burlesque talent over the last two years including Beatrix Von Bourbon, Immodesty Blaize and Dita Von Teese herself!

Then on the Saturday afternoon we are whizzing off down to Oxford for our headline night at the O2 Academy! We are looking forward to performing down south and can't wait to get on stage to show Oxford our saucy brand of tounge in cheek burlesque!

Venue: O2 Academy 190 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1UE
Date: Saturday 4th April
Time: 10.30pm - 3am
Cost: £4 (NUS) £5

For more information about our burlesque act see: www.myspace.com/thechantillybelles

Artwork will re-commence next week after a much needed relaxing bath : )

Hello Sailor!

Myself and international burlesque performer, the beautiful Beatrix Von Bourbon

As I metioned last week, I have been researching vintage nautical tattoos, as seen on many a burly sailor since the 1940's and 50's. But as you can see from the photo above this classical style of tattoo is still very much in favour among burlesque and rockabilly lovers today!

The reason for the research? My next series of paintings is going to be inspired by the artwork of the vintage sailor tattoo, using the pin-up girl as the main character, with each painting taking influence from different nautical sayings still in use today.

Have you ever called someone a son of a gun? how about hanging on until the bitter end? or even found yourself looking for some dutch courage? Cue some fab potential for some new paintings featuring traditional pin-up girls and sailor gear! I'm going to illustrate everyday sayings that began as true to life nautical phrases!

I've always liked the pin-up girls that featured it these classic tattoos. They are an echo of that other famous pin-up girl, Betty Grable. In fact Grable's famous rearview pose, hands on hips, is still an iconic template used for tattoos across the world.

But the pin-up girl that sat on a sailors arm were more than just a hot chick to keep morale high, they were also symbolic of the travels and places the individual had seen. For instance a hula girl meant that the sailor had reached Honolulu or Hawaii.
There is also symbolism to other well known designs; Anchors signified the sailor's crossing of the Atlantic whereas a swallow was for luck and loyalty as they always return home each year, sailors being a highly superstitious lot!

Images taken from www.sailorjerry.com

I've been working on some designs for my new paintings and as I've studied the styles and use of line and colour I've come to realise that this isn't like any other form of drawing. I've almost had to re-teach myself how to look at things. Dismiss my knowledge of proportion and perspective and think only in terms of what will work as a tattoo, as I want my paintings to look as authentic as possible. That isn't to say I want to carbon copy the orignal work of others, but for my work to be an obvious nod to the artists of yesteryear.

Here's my first design for the saying 'Rack and Ruin', meaning for a ship to become wrecked, as mentioned earlier, it's the pin-up girl who is telling the story;

Image copyright of Gemma Parker, www.gemma-parker.blogspot.com

In all my research I couldn't go without mentioning THE man who epitomises the classic vintage tattoo, Sailor Jerry! An artist who many see as the father of old school tattoo, who became a sailor himself at the age of 19, travelled the world and began his life long affair with tattoos. He studied the art of southeast Asia which became a huge influence on his style, opening his first tattoo shop in Honolulu's Chinatown which according to his official website was;

'ground zero for swaggering sailors, drunken soldiers and whoever else wasn't afraid to hang around volatile levels of testosterone.'

These rowdy sailors appreciated a bold impressive design that they could show off 'back home' and Sailor Jerry's signiture style became iconic in tattoo art acroos the world.