The body as art

While I was in the process of putting together this week’s news roundup, I came across a submission from Peter Mayaart about an artist from Palm Beach that combines piercings and body painting together to form a unique piece of art.

Georgette Pressler from Devious Body Art, has taken her preferred medium (paint on skin) and combined it with a corset piercing to create a really beautiful piece of art.

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This piece was a collaboration between myself; Tara Hauck, who is our photographer; Shorty, who is a body piercer from Hellcat Tattoo; Melrose Telles, who is an amazing hairstylist; and Brittany Johns, who is our willing model.

Brittany had 22 piercings in her back. She is such a trooper. We had the piercings done first, and we stopped at 22, which is more than enough.

Shorty is an amazing piercer. He wanted to do something artistic, and he did this beautiful corseted lacework on her back, with chocolate satin ribbon. I came in and brought some vintage romance by doing copper paneling with gears, some tubing, a lot of metallic details and lacework.

This is something that we had been talking about for months. We started at 9 in the morning and worked until 9 or 10 at night. At the end of the day, we were all very happy with the work. It was what we had all really wanted: something reminiscent, something old and slightly mournful, but still beautiful and romantic at the same time.

The Palm Beach Post has a full interview with Georgette, as well as a gallery of the process involved in creating this work.

It’s amazing to think that a full team of people worked for 12 hours to create a beautiful work of art that was only going to last for a few hours at most.

If you’ve found a story that you think should be included in the ModBlog news, just click here to submit the link.

Two by two, hands of blue

Well, maybe not two blue hands, but this branding piece by Quentin at Kalima Emporium in the UK, definitely has a blue tinge to it.

It’s interesting to see how the color from the tattoo ink is affected by the branding, really making the flower pop.

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You can see more branding and scarification by artists from Kalima Emporium in their gallery.

If you have an image you’d like to share with ModBlog, send me an e-mail with the image or a link to it.

It’s story time!

A lot of the posts on ModBlog feature images submitted to BMEzine by people from all over the world.  In addition to the image galleries, BME also has an entire section dedicated to the stories that our members share with everyone.

The following story was submitted by someone named Steph to the piercing section.

I will start off by saying before I got my triangle I did a lot of research. I read nearly every single experience on BME over a number of weeks, called up different studios to ask questions and joined various websites to get the opinions and experiences of professional piercers, as well as those few who already had a triangle piercing. It certainly is not that easy to find information (from my experience) and you really do have to dig for it. But once you know your stuff, you’ll feel much more comfortable about going to get the piercing.

Before I set my heart on getting it done I knew it would only be possible if my anatomy was suited to the piercing. I did a lot of poking around in the mirror to check if I had hood space just underneath my clitoris. Even though I felt I did, I knew the majority of women did not so I decided to email a piercer who does free consultations and is experienced in doing triangles, Elayne Angel. I sent her a couple of pictures and she said she thought I was suited to it. This is worth doing.

After a few days I had finally plucked up the courage to actually visit a studio. My research (particularly messaging people with triangles) had led me to Kalima Emporium. I had already spoken to four women who had their triangle pierced by Quentin at Kalima. All of them praised him and the welcoming atmosphere of the studio, it was also a nice little addition that Quentin is one of the most experienced body modification artists in the UK! To get there I had to travel from London, it felt like forever to get to the studio in Worthing. It is also right near the beach so before I got pierced I just sat with my friend on the pebbles by the sea, which relaxed me quite a bit and I would recommend that if you are nervous and go to Kalima.

Upon entering the studio my friend and I were warmly welcomed by Quentin and the other piercer, John (and even the customers were friendly!) The place was elaborately decorated and very unique looking, unlike some white wall studios I am used to which make you feel as if you are visiting the dentist! I explained what I wanted done to Quentin and was taken into the piercing room to have my anatomy checked. I didn’t feel rushed or at all uncomfortable. I was told that whilst I had space under my clitoris, my outer labias might affect how deeply I could be pierced because they would rub on the jewelry. He said that it was certainly possible for me to have it done but I had to be aware that because of this the piercing could migrate itself slightly into a more comfortable position. Armed with this knowledge and everything else he had told me, I got dressed and went to sit outside for a bit whilst he dealt with two other clients that wanted a scaffold and microdermals. Quentin said that he wanted a lot of time to mark me up and explain things in more detail, as what I wanted done was going to be ”intense.” I was happy to wait if it meant I would receive care and patience – which I did.

Back into the room I went. I felt surprisingly relaxed even though this was going to be my first genital piercing (I’ve only just turned 18) and is generally considered the most painful female genital piercing (other than the clitoris.) Quentin compared it to the ampallang on males. There was soothing music playing in the background and I was told to concentrate on my breathing and relaxing my muscles. It is worth mentioning Quentin in general has a calming effect and takes a very personal, spiritual approach. I’d read that before more than once in my research and it is true. I was marked up and for both the anatomy check before and the piercing itself I did not even need to lay in the birthing position, apparently it isn’t necessary and I think that helps in making you feel a little less on show. All I had to do was lay down with my legs straight out flat, about a shoulder width apart, whilst I was marked up. Numbing was not used with my triangle because whilst being clamped I had to say if it feels like my nerve bundle is being clamped. I didn’t mind this – I didn’t want a pierced nerve bundle! Quentin talked me through everything, telling me the odd story about his modifications, putting me at ease. I was clamped up (with septum clamps, which create a straight tube for the needle to pass through, eliminating the dangers of the nerve bundle being pierced) and then pierced.

Yes, it did hurt. It was INTENSE. But only for a couple of seconds. However, the next part was more painful. I was told after I was pierced with a needle exactly the same size as the jewelry (14g) to prevent unnecessary bleeding. This meant for the jewelry insertion the circular barbell had to be wiggled through with more pressure. I’m usually good with pain but with this I really scrunched my face up in agony. Although, this subsided once it was done and I spun around to admire my new piercing in the mirror – I fell in love instantly! The whole process must have taken about half an hour or more, certainly no pressure or rushing to get the next customer in. I was really relaxed throughout, apparently I was the most calm client he’s had so far for a triangle! Proud

Walking back to the train station was easy enough but I made the effort to walk slowly. It is now day two and I have had minor bleeding on and off, with little soreness. I’m still taking anti inflammatory tablets (not that I feel I am even swollen) as well as doing sea salt soaks in the bath twice a day. It was worth the travel, especially if you are in England and reading this because you want a triangle. It seems there are few piercers who can perform it properly whilst putting you so at ease.

I have had such a positive experience and I really do owe it ultimately to Kalima. Like someone said to me, the studio is a little ”hidden gem.” I felt considered as an individual, not just another piece of flesh to pierce. I couldn’t fault any part of my experience and will certainly be going back there for other heavier mods in the future.

Steph.

So, do you have a story to share with the world about your modifications?  Head on over to your account page and let us know something about one (or more) of your experiences.

Waiting in suspense

I really enjoy photographs capturing a moment in time that almost can’t be described in words.  This image is one of those.  Sure you can describe the situation as a woman is getting the final checks on the rigging before a suicide suspension, but it’s what’s going on between the two of them that really speaks the loudest.

This is that moment, just before she is to be lifted off the ground.  The quiet intensity of both the suspender and suspendee.  The final preparations right before some goes through a potentially life defining moment.

The image was submitted anonymously, but I really would like to know the story behind it.  Was it her first suspension?  What was going through her mind at that moment?

Then again, part of the allure of the image is in not knowing.  So I’ll just leave it here for you to enjoy.

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To see the rest of the images in this series and others like it, check out the suspension galleries.

Got any plans for the weekend of August 20th?

Well if you do, then cancel them.  The Tattoo Hollywood Convention is that weekend!

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The convention runs all weekend long, and kicks off with an opening party Thursday night at Known Gallery (441 N. Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036)

Conventions Dates & Hours
Friday August 20th: 5pm- 12am
Saturday August 21st: 12pm-12am
Sunday August 22nd: 12pm-8pm

Closing Party August 22nd 8PM-11pm (Artists, their guests and VIP passholders ONLY)

Ticket Prices: $20 a day, $40 weekend pass, $100 VIP weekend pass. Tickets are available at the door. VIP passes are extremely limited and include special event/artist access.

Hotel Information:

The Grand Ballroom
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel
1755 N. Highland Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028

For more information, including a full list of tattoo artists appearing, seminar listings, and contests; head on over to www.tattoohollywood.com

Do you have an event coming up?  A tattoo convention?  Art exhibit?  Let me know about it!  Just send me an e-mail and your event could be featured on ModBlog.

Much ado about Mucha

Several months ago we featured a story of art thievery that happened to include a backpiece that included a very well done Mucha tattoo.

While browsing through the galleries last night I stumbled upon this image submitted by md373…

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I’d have to say, given the placement on the body, the artist did a great job manipulating a wide Mucha piece to fit on the recipient’s ribs.

You can see this image, as well as the step-by-step photos of the art being created in our tattoo galleries.

Also, if you have a story, image, or just something you think would be great to see on ModBlog, feel free to send an e-mail my way.

Happy Birthday Shawn!

Shawn Porter is one of my oldest and dearest friends in this community. Aside from that, he has been an integral  part of the body modification world for longer than a lot of you guys have been alive. The BME Wiki entry on him has the basics on his contributions to this community, but really it doesn’t even begin to do him justice.

SPC , BME Extreme, the Modcon events and Scarwars are just a few of the bigger impacts he has made on this community. Aside from these and countless other contributions, he has also helped many people along in there body modification journeys, myself included.  Not bad for a guy who doesn’t work in the industry (or “hobby” as he often refers to it).

I won’t go on any longer about Shawn, as I am sure there will be plenty of other stuff shared in the comments section, but please take a moment to wish him a happy birthday, thank him for his contributions, buy him a gift or send him some well worn white cotton panties.

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Another way to help out

As I posted earlier four members of our community were in a bad car wreck. Well if there is one thing our community is particularly good at it is helping other members of our community in their times of need. Some friends of ours in CORE have put together a benefit for  them  at the Next Door Bar that will take place  Saturday August 7th.

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If you cannot make it out, please help spread the word.  Also if you would like to donate directly.  Please visit the main page of suspension.org and follow the paypal link.

Thank you in advance and we hope to see yall there.

BME Girls, they always come back….

Sorry for the delay! I was having some trouble with the email account where all of these lovely ladies pictures were stored, but all is resolved now and BME Girls are back!

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For those of you interested in seeing this batch of girls who submitted their pictures for  possible use in the upcoming BME Girls Calendar, keep on reading. If this isn’t your thing, come back later for other types of modblog post.

REMEMBER: Absolutely zero negative comments will be tolerated!!!!!!

Lucy

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Kelly Renae

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Breanne

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About being a featured girlThis event is open to all BME Girls age 18 and over. Girls of all shapes, sizes and race are encouraged to submit pictures. Contestants can be dressed or nude, but nothing too pornographic will be featured. Pictures need to be of decent quality, lest the readers condemn me to hell for posting webcam shots. Agreeing to be involved is consenting to be featured in the calendar, if you are selected for it. If you want to suggest someone, feel free to do so. I will contact them and see if they are interested, but no one will be featured without their explicit approval. To submit pictures, please email them to [email protected] Make sure to include your IAM: name (or real name) in your email.

About votingVotes will be tallied by emailing [email protected], just make the subject “Vote (insert name of girl you choose)” and your vote will be tallied. Voting last 7 days (168 hours) from the time the girl was posted.  Votes will be anonymous, there is no reason for anyone to know who voted for whom and how many votes each girl got.  Voting for one week ends when the following weeks post goes up. Please note, this isn’t about competition, it’s about a fun, interactive way to get the readers involved in the selection process.

About Commenting: I am enforcing a strict ZERO TOLERANCE policy for negative comments about the girls. They are being kind enough to share themselves with us and to help BME make a calendar, they should not have to fear public ridicule. Negative comments will be deleted, if we have a repeat offender, all of their future modblog comments will be sent to moderation. This isn’t about censorship, it’s about common courtesy and respect.

The penguin flys on…

Currently modblog regular, Penguin Boy, his partner Baron Von Geiger (amazing earlobe weight lifter) and the rest of The Squidling Bros. are on tour with the Coney Island Cockabilly Roadshow.

I don’t make it out to shows too much anymore, but this may be worthy of making an exception for. Hell, they are even performing with Hick’ry Hawkins, a cat I used to watch at local South Carolina venues a bunch back in the nineties.

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For tour dates, keep on keeping on.

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