Body Art Controversy - My Thoughts!
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Hows it going my fancy face painting peoples! Last week I put up a post about myself modelling for body painters and a person who was offended by it, and the response was crazy! There were about 20 pages worth of comments left by people who strongly agreed and disagreed so thank you all for sharing your opinions…. now its my turn - to have my say! Watch this video to find out what I think about this topic…maybe I agree with you, maybe I don’t, press play to find out 
Click Here for the “Body Art Controversy - Am I In Trouble?” Post
And Click Here to Leave a Comment!
Happy Face Painting,
Philadelphia Tivoli
P.s Start learning those Halloween designs right now so you can be ready! Click here to get Halloween face painting designs now!
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October 15th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Sounds sensible to me.
October 15th, 2008 at 6:32 am
Philadelphia- you seem very sweet and with a good heart and you are doing a wonderful job. My recommendation is to not worry so much about what everyone’s thoughts are- I imagine you’ve lost some sleep over this controversy. Follow your heart, not others opinions, and if you lose a few subscribers, so be it. I can’t help but put a shameless plug in as well, let your heart give God a chance, He will change your life for the better like you could never imagine!
October 15th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Hello I think you are 100% correct in your openion . There are so maney bussey bodies out here it is hard to open your mouth and not offend someone. That said I would like to thank you for the face painting tips and lessons. You have no idea how you have helped . I am not a body painter not enough tallent . Primarley because of your teaching . We bought over 1000.00 dollars from Silly Farm and set up at a locel Street fair . 45-75 thousand people on the street a day WOW . We had a ball and made good money to. please keep up the good work . Sunny Jim
October 15th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Great job
October 15th, 2008 at 11:09 am
I think it is sad that nakedness is such an issue. What is actually wrong with being naked? And yes - I have already been shot down for wanting to organise a Halloween Party for the kids at our school because ‘not everyone celebrates Halloween’. (But it’s okay for tons of non-christian people to receive Easter Eggs and exchange Christmas presents). Good morals and sensible attitudes are what makes religion a great thing for society. Narrow-mindedness and perverted attitudes from extremists are what cause the violent divisions of the human race.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
A mention , my partner and I had the good fortune to attend the Body painting convention in Nanaimo Canada a few months ago. We are very liberal thinking, and my first impression was this is strange, with nude bodies being painted , but during the event, my Lady and I were very impressed with the artistry, the event took on a life of its own. As for the nude part of the event, that was not even a issue.
The event was on par with any show produced in any high production show, the colors were brilliant the models routines on stage were very intense, and we are so glad that this event had taken place in Canada. We look fwd in attending the next one and the next one.
A note : This was our first introduction to body painting, and speaking for myself, it was a event that will be always related as a highlight in our quest for new and tasteful things in our lives. Thank You Murray David Nanaimo Canada
October 15th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Wow! Thanks for that video comment you left as follow-up, Philadelphia! That was fabulous! You were succinct, to the point, and gentle on everyone. I loved the bit about the Sisteen Chapel! You know, once they had someone paint over any nudity, then they went back and took it all off–it goes by fads…
Anyway, I have an idea for you. How about devoting a page or tab or whatnot entirely to body painting, and keeping the face painting page limited to just that? That way, those interested in both can visit both, and those who are not interested in body painting can breathe easy flipping through instead of guarding their eyes with every new post.
Just a thought!
About Halloween, I personally don’t like painting skulls and monsters, I don’t like leaving the painted person unrecognizable either, I like my painting to accentuate the beauty of the individual. So I coordinate with outfits, flow with the face shape, and decline painting what I would call ugly. I’m an artist, not an ugly-ist–ha! I paint because I want to add temporary beauty, fantasy, fairy tales, animalesque, things like that, and then it all passes away…
More on my face painting philosophy upon request!
I do want to paint more autumnal and Thanksgiving-y faces, though. Leaves, cornucopias, and such.
You are a brave, talented, and beautiful lady, Philadelphia! Bravo on your mature and even handed dealing with the public at large on this sensitive set of topics.
~Angela Kirsch
October 15th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Philadelphia, I am very grateful for all the hard work you do to maintain this site and this blog. I think that above all, I suscribe to your newsletter because I enjoy the feeling of being connected to those who share my love of face/body painting. On behalf of all those who take part in your blogs, for or against your (and my) opinion, I thank you for giving so freely of yourself. I am very much your fan! Keep up all that you do, we’re rootin’ for ya!
October 16th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Hello Ms. Philadephia, As a mother of five I have two children that were born in October. My children were told they were born in the devils month.
I prayed being a Christian Lord how do I discourage this negative comment. The Lord instructed me to read Genesis and It said that GOD created the day and evening( not the devil) and that this is and everyday a day that he has made.
I later was called to be a Clown. I am Salvation Sally the Gospel Clown and I desired to be a blessing to all children old and young alike. I make balloon animals,games and temp tattoos and FACEPAINTING.
I owe alot of that inspiration to your GIFT as a artist. In these hard economic times I have been blessed to make money and support my family and volunteer as a professional clown. I come in contact with thousands of children and they love the facepaint the most. I just wanted to say Thank You. It brings tears to my eyes when someone says negative things about clowning but I by the grace of God continue to accomplish his divine purpose of making children for one moment forget all the neagative things and smile and laugh.
October 16th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Philadelphia,
As a recent viewer of your website, I am very interested in this controversy created by the bodypainting.
I am a catholic christian, and not offended by bodypainting whatsoever, however, I do see a valid viewpoint in why someone may find it offensive.
In my opinion, it is not necessarily the “intent” of the art that is in question, but the fact that you are allowing a person to have a very intimate relationship with your body that you do not have a serious realtionship with. That is something that I don’t agree with personally, but you made your choice, and nobody is hurt by viewing you in this manner since you are so covered with bodypaint.
Personally, I love to paint and recently painted a mural on my coffee table. I also have volunteered face-painting at my sons school for the past 5 years. Although I don’t have professional paints to yield such results as I see online, I do my best. It is a wonderful form of self-expression, and I have seen some truly lovely art.
“You can please some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.”
Best of Luck,
Dawn.
October 16th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Great job there are a lot of people that will be ofended by anything . please keep up the good work you are doing. Sunny Jim
October 16th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I’m new to face painting. In the last year and half I’ve syphoned through a hundreds of books, picking and choosing what I’m interested in painting. I’ve stumbled upon body painting in my searches. My first reaction was, “is she naked?”. I have to admit that normally I really wouldn’t approve. However, not only was it very difficult to tell (unlike the current fashions) whether they were nude, but I was surprised at how non-offensive it was. Would I do it? Heck no, but I’ve always been very modest. You’ve also made it very clear that what you’re about to see is body painting. So if you’re offended, change the channel.
One last comment, Philadelphia, you’re a beautiful, young woman. I wish I had your self confidence. You are a wonderful artist and a beautiful model. Thank you for sharing your talents.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
hi philadelphia! as many of your readers i too am new to face painting. my style is very child oriented so i usually paint cute pretty things.i have started, however to experiment with uglier designs not to freak anyone out , simply to push my imagination and artistic skills as far as they can go.
though i am not fond of gory art, i have to , as an artist , appreciate the tallent and creativity behind it.
i think the people that have complained about your modeling venture lack the ability to appreciate two things..the artist’s skill and the models confidence and beauty.
i have a 19 year old daughter on whose back i painted the cover art for an iron maiden album. when we were going to take the picture i was helping her chose the underwear that would best accentuate the art. there was nothing wrong or sinful about it about it . it was the power of the art that drew the attention not the half naked beauty wearing it.
i saw your pictures..you looked like a little child visiting disney world.you were enjoying yourself. if you loose a couple of fanatic closeminded hobby painters..dont worry..true artist are still here!
October 17th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
After your video where you explain about all this ‘deal’ of your body paint…I still agree that Art is art…..if you go around the world you see body parts in arts….don’t see the ’sin’ because arts is a way to show the beauty of our work. Either a paint, photos, ceramics, etc…is on the person who see it…how that person see it…..as for me…I want to thank you for all the tips and knowledge you share with us.
you are a human with a big heart! don’t ever change your self because someone is unhappy or whatever is inside their brains.
God creat us with love…why see what is not there….?
October 17th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Ah and I agree with “true artist still here with you”
Beside…..for Arts your mind has to be open and flexible with others.
Once again….Art is art =)
Keep doing what you do best!
October 18th, 2008 at 4:30 am
Hi Philidelphia
I am a make up artist and body painter, some time I get to face paint.
I love your blog and everything you give to people.
If it wasnt for people like you creating this type of information where would they be.
As the saying goes, There is one in every crowd an artist, a go getter, a nice person, a hard person, a lazy person, a beautiful person and so on that is why it is
such a wonderful world.
Go with what you love and enjoy what you do.
If some people think they were born with clothes on thats their stupidity.
At the end of the day you are dead a long time.
So make the most of what you’ve got. and enjoy life in whatever you do.
October 20th, 2008 at 3:13 am
Go for it girl! It is what is on peoples minds. If that is the way they think. Then that is what they are! I remember years ago on a David Frost TV show in the UK. A body painted woman with the artist were being interviewed. During the show the artist had to touch up the paint on her breast because the bare flesh started to show. There were NO complaints to the show. While during another interview with Julie Andrews, a film clip of her showing a breif glimse of a naked breast (or part thereof) caused the switchboard to almost melt down with the number of complaints. It all depends on where you are comming from. Keep up the good work and be dammed to the wosers! Any way that is my 2 cents woth.
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:31 am
Hey Tiv!
You do not need to explain yourself to these narrow minded with nothing better to do people.
Keep doing what your doing, if some unsubscribe because of it, they are not the ones you want anyway.
You will gain more respect and new subscribers from just being you.
Cheers to you and all your hard work!
Kathy
October 29th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Hi all. I usually just read posts and keep my opinions to myself but on this I really must comment….
As Philadelphia said in her post: the face is part of the body. If we’re going to start condemning body painting, then we’ll have to stop painting the face and arms too. I paint mostly kids, and many of them ask to be painted on their arms or legs as well.
As for the nudity factor, get over it. In this case Philadelphia was wearing a thong and pasties so the bad?, naughty?, sinful? parts were covered up. But even if she weren’t, SO WHAT. It’s just body parts, they are natural. None of these photos were pornographic…I certainly didn’t see any “crotch shots.” Someone can correct me if they know any different, but since there were no nipples or pubic area exposed, I don’t think she would have even been arrested for public indecency even without paint strutting down Main St.
The last time I heard so much about “boobs and butts” sticking out was at a spa party for 7-10 year olds. There were two small statues of nude women with flowing drapery hiding the pelvic area. The girls were very vocal about boobs and butts sticking out. That is until I said “so what, they are just body parts. You have them, I have them, everyone has them.” And that little statement was enough for these children to stop and think and realize that the human body is nothing to get into a tizzy over. (And everyone does have breasts…did you know that it is possible for men to get breast cancer? And some men have more on top than I do, but they are allowed to walk around without a shirt on and it isn’t sinful, illegal or immoral.)
And if we’re going to bring the children and their sensitive little minds into things. Think on this: I’ve always taught my children the proper names of body parts. There was never anything sexual about the word “penis.” But last year my son learned about sex ed in school. And now he tells me not to use the word “penis” because his friends say its “weird.” My question to him was “what’s weird about it? It’s just the name of a body part just like your arm, leg or nose.” No, I don’t believe that children should be exposed to pornography, but I’m not going to completely eliminate that entire Renaissance period from their education because some paintings have nudes in them. Yes, I’d let them read a book on reproduction. No, I wouldn’t give them the Karma Sutra to read.
Bottom line: It doesn’t matter what someone else does. Be responsible for yourself and those in your scope of responsibility. If you don’t like something someone else does, avoid it. It’s nobody’s job to judge others (even judges have to follow rules/laws and can’t just make a judgment based on personal beliefs).
November 17th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
seriously this is so true
people dont have to get offended when they come across something they dont like in life. after all life isnt what they always want. there is always going to be something of the other that the next person is going to disagree with so.. in other words what every you’re doing is something that is your passion and your interest. KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME! people can only say so much they cant control your thoughts i did read the article and i did see the picture yu cant even see anything. you could have very well worn a tank top or something and you would still be able to see the shape of your body so with all that paint it didnt make a difference because other clearly could not see any part of your body
it was all covered
i agree with you!!!!