The Body Painting Scene in South Florida

Bodypainting of Bridget
Location of Shoot: Palm Beach County, Florida
Theme: Serpents dwell in the wild grass



Background on This Bodypainting
Bridget is a part time model who contacted me for both bodypainting and shooting the results. She is enthusiastic about working-out at the gym and has a strong entrepreneurial drive that has led her to start several businesses. One of her companies has her caring for clients' pets while they are away. In northern Palm Beach County, one may see Bridget walking a large number of dogs, all at the same time. Bridget's serene presence is just the medicine for stressed canines missing their traveling owners. Repeat customers mean that Bridget is performing a valued service. The bodypainting you see on Bridget was the result of happenstance. The theme was derived from her love of nature and all things wild. As we were setting up, she spied a silver runner snake crawling by (they are harmless). She knew what it was and calmly mentioned, "There goes a snake", with a tone of admiration and acceptance. As I painted Bridget, she enjoyed relating about her life, family, and friends with an openness confirmed by her relaxed demeanor. Bridget is available as a bodypainting performance art model in the greater Palm Beach region and would be a great asset to any function.

For more information about my bodypainting and photographic services, please see below for details. Create your own event with Body Painting by Flick's performance art. To contact Carl Flick, go the BPBF web site: http:carlflick.com/bodypainting, or phone: 561-707-0747. E-mailing is possible by going to: http:carlflick.com/contact, and then moving your computer's mouse to "click here". The web site will send your message.


Carl A. Flick
Flick Photographic
Body Painting by Flick
P. O. Box 432
West Palm Beach, Florida 33402, USA

Phone: 561-707-0747
E-mail contact? Go to: <http://carlflick.com/contact>


Industry Web Site: <http://carlflick.com/bodypainting>

Model Mayhem Main Site: <http://www.modelmayhem.com/533915>
Model Mayhem Photo Gallery: <http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/533915/viewall>

Facebook Photographic Gallery listed under "Carl Flick" (filled with over 100 bodypainting images):
<http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1505223552292.2067801.1285354804>

Bodypainting of Shally
Location of Shoot:
Cypress Cove Resort, Kissimmee (Orlando area), Florida
Event:
Shally was bodypainted in front of an audience



Background on This Bodypainting
I met Shally during one of the regional 'Burning Man' gatherings in Lakeland, Florida - called 'AfterBurn'. Over the past four years, my bodypainting at this event has become fairly well known. I was setting up after arriving late in the evening and Shally walked up and immediately engaged in conversation. She was originally born in Puerto Rico and moved to Florida when she was five. So she speaks English perfectly, but also retains a slight accent that is delightful to the ears. Shally possesses a delicate voice that produces a smile on anyone she engages with. Although naturally shy and introspective, Shally became a favorite of the entire camp. Her first 'AfterBurn' bodypainting unfolded in front of scores of appreciative attenders. Subsequently, we committed to finding another venue in Central Florida where we could again collaborate with cutting edge body art. That opportunity recently happened with a performance art invitation at Cypress Cove Resort in Kissimmee, Florida. I painted Shally with the detailed pattern you see here. The work actually has two personalities: one during the day, and a "glow-in-the-dark" version visible only at night under ultraviolet black light. If live performances are what you want, Shally is available as one of my bodypainting models in the Central Florida region (serving greater Orlando, Tampa Bay, and the Space Coast of Brevard County).
Glow-in-the-Dark Body Paint

For more information about my bodypainting and photographic services, please see below for details. Create your own event with Body Painting by Flick's performance art. To contact Carl Flick, go the BPBF web site: http:carlflick.com/bodypainting, or phone: 561-707-0747. E-mailing is possible by going to: http:carlflick.com/contact, and then moving your computer's mouse to "click here". The web site will send your message.


Carl A. Flick
Flick Photographic
Body Painting by Flick
P. O. Box 432
West Palm Beach, Florida 33402, USA

Phone: 561-707-0747
E-mail contact? Go to: <http://carlflick.com/contact>

Industry Web Site: <http://carlflick.com/bodypainting>

Model Mayhem Main Site: <http://www.modelmayhem.com/533915>
Model Mayhem Photo Gallery: <http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/533915/viewall>

Facebook Photographic Gallery listed under "Carl Flick" (filled with over 100 bodypainting images):
<http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1505223552292.2067801.1285354804>

The third Saturday of March falls on or near the Spring equinox and is the designated annual date for Artful Day. The brainchild of T.A. Wyner of Sunnier Palms, Artful Day is a meeting of South Florida artists and supporters who positively depict the human form through their art. The gatherings typically have artists painting or drawing life (figure) models, observing a body painting demonstration, learning about live body plaster castings, and participating in photography of the nude. The nude in art is the celebrated theme and plenty of past examples are on display. At the end of the day, the event culminates with a review of the created artworks during a late afternoon tea party.

Artful Day host and organizer T.A. Wyner has been a tireless activist for naturist rights, nude beach rights, and body acceptance issues since the 1980s. She is the one who made international news in 1989 through her protest and arrest at MacArthur Beach State Park (located near West Palm Beach). MacArthur Beach was original known as Air Force Beach and was owned by philanthropist and millionaire John D. MacArthur. MacArthur himself used to sunbathe without clothes on Air Force Beach and allowed 1000 - 5000 other naturists to join him in what had become the largest nude beach in the southeast United States. All of that came to an end when MacArthur died in 1981. Although his will gave Air Force Beach to the State of Florida and Palm Beach County as a park, his specific instructions that the park accommodate the traditional nude beach use was ignored by authorities. The subsequent and repeated arrests of peaceful unclad beachgoers eradicated the naturist user group from the park. To this day MacArthur Beach has yet to recover and attract a large number of visitors again.

During T.A. Wyner's 1989 arrest, she was protesting the crackdown on naturists and was advocating for the reestablishment of Air Force Beach's nude beach. She chose to do this by expressing her art through drawings and messages on her her unclad body. The suppression of expression and of art is expressly prohibited by the U.S. Constitution. Many years of court cases have given T.A. a number of victories and since then, there have been annual, permitted one-day nude protests at MacArthur Beach. Nonetheless, the issue of beach nudity at MacArthur remains largely unresolved. Today a small group of naturists have started re-using the northern part of the park again, although they are cautious and will briefly cover up when rangers patrol the beach.

T.A. Wyner's victory in many court cases involving freedom of expression and the human body led to the creation of Artful Day. Held at Sunnier Palms Nudist Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Fort Pierce, Florida, Artful Day is an annual spring rite of reaffirming the normalcy of the human body and its depiction through art. Among the participating invitees are St. Lucie County Commissioners, the County Sheriff, and members of the local chamber of commerce, all of which have been educated about the goals of Artful Day and fully support the right of Sunnier Palms to exist and thrive.

Sunnier Palms is an "intentional community", a more modern term that was originally known as a commune. The shareholders are residents who pool their efforts to govern themselves, farm part of the land, and also manage the adjacent naturist campground. Sunnier Palms has a common area with a clubhouse, pool, hot tub, public restrooms, showers, a common kitchen and an eating area for frequent community pot lucks. Outlying sections contain a large camping area for day and weekend visitors, a productive victory garden, and a 12 acre forest which is deed restricted as a conservation area. The preserve will always remain a pine forest with an excellent network of hiking trails and a number of interpretive signs pointing out native vegetation. For further information on Sunnier Palms (located at: 8800 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945), visit their web site: http://www.sunnier.com/map/sitemap.html, or contact them directly by phone: 772-468-8512.

Carl Flick of Body Painted by Flick (BPBF) has been one of the invitees for a number of years. Each Artful Day at Sunnier Palms, BPBF has carried out performance art by body painting a subject for all to watch. Most participants find the process of body painting fascinating and enjoy seeing the creation of art on a unique and living canvas. Upon completion the finished body painting makes a great subject for participating photographers. During the tea party, attending artists and friends delight in the sharing of their newly made artwork.

It's possible that your event can benefit from Body Painting by Flick's performance art. To contact Carl Flick, go the BPBF web site: http:carlflick.com/bodypainting, or phone: 561-707-0747. E-mailing is possible by going to: http:carlflick.com/contact, and then moving your computer's mouse to "click here". The web site will send your message.

Key West's "Fantasy Fest" has evolved into a large, uninhibited festival that celebrates American sexuality. Held in October on the week preceding Halloween, the 7-10 day event is centered on Key West's traditional main commercial avenue: Duval Street. People come from as far away as Europe, South America, and Canada to participate in an exhibitionistic gala of lingerie, high heels, body paint, and even open displays of nudity and sensuality.

Body painting has become one of the central attractions of Fantasy Fest. Beginning around 11:00 a.m. each morning, visitors line up or make reservations at the handful of exclusive body painting stations located along Duval Street. They bring with them an idea of how they want to be portrayed. Whether it's painted lingerie, becoming a lioness, provocatively adorned in vines, or following more traditional Halloween themes, tourists want the opportunity to experience being unclad (and socially accepted) as they stroll down Key West's downtown public sidewalks. Others are there to take it all in with their spouses and cameras in hand. In Key West, the voyeur and exhibitionist nourish each other. With one's face painted, anyone can assume a wholly anonymous or hidden identity. So being photographed by strangers becomes part of the fun. It's a unique opportunity to display your physical self without any negative repercussions from friends, family, or fellow churchgoers back in Peoria.

Over a decade ago, some conservative citizens of Key West lobbied the city council to put an end to nudity during Fantasy Fest. Police were instructed to arrest individuals who openly displayed breasts or genitalia. The crackdown predictably dampened visitor interest. On the following year, Fantasy Fest was a bust. Few tourists bothered to fly in for the week or book rooms. Consequently, the business community stormed city hall and demanded that this Victorian approach be rescinded and asked that public nudity downtown be tolerated during the festival. With restrictions lifted, thousands of out-of-towners returned the following autumn.

During the most recent Fantasy Fest, Carl Flick of Body Painted by Flick (BPBF) was there (with 20-25 other bodypainters) to adorn tourists. A special service offered by BPBF was carrying out body paintings in the privacy of hotel rooms. Each morning BPBF had a crew member bicycle Duval and Whitehead Streets with a large sign in tow: "Mobile Body Painter For Hire - We Come to You. Phone: 561-707-0747." Many people who run large businesses, or have become corporate or civic leaders, or who have attained a certain celebrity, quietly noted the phone number and subsequently hired BPBF to paint them in private. Away from the glare and cameras of unknown strangers on Duval Street, the subjects were able to relax and enjoy the process.

BPBF's equipment is designed to be totally portable. A bicycle with small cart attached carries all of the necessary supplies, including: air brush guns, compressor, paint brushes, paints of all colors, and even a CO2 tank to power the air guns when electricity is not an option. BPBF typically sets up in 5-10 minutes and is ready to paint. For the corporate executive or celebrity being body painted (and face painted for anonymity), that means less time spent in the creation stage and more time strolling and showing off the results without fear of personal discovery.

One typical complaint by Key West paintees is that the body paint may not last more than 3-5 hours. It tends to flake off as one sweats, moves, and abrades the surface. This will largely not happen with body paintings completed by BPBF. BPBF uses water-based non-toxic (safe for skin) paints with a special, safe (even edible) additive bond that further adheres the paint to the skin. No other body painter has it. The result is a shinier surface, an additional 15-20 minutes drying time, and a durable body painting that will last in excess of 24 hours. With care, you can sleep in it without pulling the paint off. But when you want the painting removed, it showers off in five minutes.

To contact Body Painted by Flick and make your reservation in advance for this coming year's Fantasy Fest in Key West, either phone: 561-707-0747, or go to BPBF's web page: http:carlflick.com/bodypainting. Once there, you may click on "Contact Us" and send an e-mail directly from the web site.

Where can someone see body painting as "performance art" in South Florida? If you live in or visit Palm Beach County, you're in luck. About once per month, Body Painted by Flick brings one of its beautiful models to the Cruzan Rum Bar (address: 11511 Ellison Wilson Road, North Palm Beach, Florida 33410). Located next to Panama Hatties Restaurant (on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway), this night spot is immediately south of the PGA Boulevard bridge. The Cruzan Rum Bar provides its "parrot head" patrons with a laid back Key West atmosphere. Once you park and enter the secluded Rum Bar compound, you'll see that the place is essentially a sandy beach with a series of outdoor tiki bars and sitting areas throughout. You can watch the intracoastal boats ply the waterway, listen to the tropical tunes, and imagine that you are farther south in the Florida Keys or in the Caribbean.

It's Thursday nights that you'll need to mark your calendar. Thursdays (7:30 - 10;00 p.m.) are reserved specifically for the Cruzan Rum Bar's Drum Circles (and the accompanying body painting demonstrations). Bring your own percussion instrument and join in. You'll see belly dancers dancing around the large bon fire as the drummers work up to a fevered pitch.

Just off to the side, Carl Flick of Body Painted by Flick (BPBF) will be painting his latest creation. His beautiful assistants begin the process clad in very little. First a base coat of white paint is normally sprayed on so that the following colors pop with intensity. Attenders often enjoy watching the entire process and admiring the beauty of Carl's models. Volunteers are sometimes accommodated too. Depending on the complexity of the body painting, each work normally takes between 1-2 hours. From the observer's point of view, it's fascinating to watch the painting unfold.

Body Painted by Flick and Flick Photographic are available for your event. Whether it's a private bodypainting, a unique party, a gallery opening, or an avante garde corporate function, BPBF will make your get-together memorable. (This is an understatement.) BPBF's web site is located at: http:carlflick.com/bodypainting. You can also contact BPBF directly by phoning: 561-707-0747.



Cruzan Rum Bar Summary:
- Price Range: $5
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Music: Juke Box, Thursday night - Drum Circle
- Bodypainting demonstrations: One Thursday per month
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: Yes

If you were in the right place during the Feb. 21-22, 2009 weekend, you'd find yourself at the designated clothing optional (nude) section of Haulover Beach County Park in the Sunny Isles area of Miami, Florida. Haulover has been set aside for naturist [pronounced "nay-chur-ist"] use since 1991. On weekends, the lifeguards oversee about 1000-3000 beach goers.

During the Feb. 21-22, 2009 weekend, The "Beaches Foundation" sponsored an event with many vendors entitled "Love the Skin You're In". Among the many participants was artist and professional commercial photographer Carl Flick. He is the founder of both Body Painted by Flick and Flick Photographic.

To view more eye catching examples of bodypaintings and resulting images, visit his web site: http:carlflick.com/bodypainting. If you want to e-mail Carl, go to: http:carlflick.com/contact and move your mouse to "click here" to send a message via the web site.

Body Painted by Flick was featured at Key West, Florida's Fantasy Fest in October 2008. Also, local party planners use BPBF services for events, festivals, and exclusive parties. Carl has a cadre of beautiful models ready to serve as "performance art". Clients typically use them for wine servers at gallery openings or highly entertaining centerpieces where attendees get to witness the exciting process of bodypainting. Contact Carl for more information at 561-707-0747.