Discovering Iceland Through Bodypaint: An Artistic Journey
Introduction: Iceland, with its breathtaking landscapes and unique natural beauty, served as the perfect canvas for my latest bodypaint series. Over the course of several weeks in the spring 2023, I traveled across this incredible island along the Ring Road in a GoCamper 5-person van, blending my art with the environment to create stunning, ephemeral pieces that highlight the connection between the human form and nature. We did a special piece at Panorama Lodge, partnered with Local Guides to hike out on a glacier and create an epic piece, and created content for Blue Lagoon.
We are returning in the summer of 2024 to complete this dynamic series of Fire and Ice. With the new volcano eruptions, the midnight sun, and interior roadways open to us, we can continue this series and would love to partner with you.
The Inspiration Behind the Series: Iceland's diverse and dramatic scenery, from glaciers and snowy landscapes to geothermal fields and serene lakes, provided endless inspiration for my work. Each location was carefully chosen to complement and enhance the bodypaint designs, creating a harmonious blend of art and nature.
Highlights of the Series:
1. The Glacier Adventure
Location: Svínafellsjökull Glacier
Description: Known for its appearance in movies like Batman Begins and Game of Thrones, Svínafellsjökull Glacier offered a striking backdrop for a bodypaint session. Local Guide took us out on the glacier and the model was painted to blend with the icy blue and white textures of the glacier, emphasizing the stark beauty and cold majesty of the environment.
We created behind-the-scenes content, cross-promotion posts as well as a blog post for this unique experience.
2. Snowy Wonderland
Location: Panorama Lodge
Description: At Panorama Lodge, I bodypainted a couple in the snow, creating a romantic and serene scene. The designs mirrored the snowy surroundings, capturing the ethereal beauty of the winter landscape. We create additional UGC content and posts for Instagram and TikTok which went viral with over 350,000 views on one TikTok.
3. Geothermal Marvels at Hverir
Location: Hverir Geothermal Area
Description: The geothermal fields of Hverir, with their bubbling mud pots and steaming fumaroles, offered a surreal landscape for bodypaint. I conducted two sessions here: one with a single model and another with five models. The earthy tones and primal energy of the geothermal features were mirrored in the bodypaint designs.
These posts went viral on both TikTok and YouTube garnering over 500,000 views.
4. Glacial Serenity
Location: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Description: The serene beauty of the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon provided a stunning contrast to the bodypaint designs. The models blended seamlessly with the floating icebergs and reflective waters, highlighting the delicate balance of nature.
5. East Fjords' Elegance
Location: East Fjords
Description: Surrounded by a picturesque lake and mountainscape, the East Fjords offered a tranquil and majestic setting for bodypaint. The designs reflected the calm waters and towering peaks, creating a harmonious and breathtaking scene.
6. Mývatn Magic
Location: Mývatn Lake
Description: At Mývatn Lake, I worked with five models to create a series of bodypaint pieces that blended with the lake's unique volcanic landscape. The vibrant colors and textures of the area were incorporated into the designs, resulting in a series of visually stunning artworks.
7. The Black Sand Beaches
Location: Reynisfjara Beach
Description: Known for its dramatic basalt columns and black sand, Reynisfjara Beach was an ideal location for exploring contrasts in color and texture. The bodypaint designs were inspired by the unique geology of the area, creating a captivating visual effect.
These images had a strong response on Instagram and inspired a new looser abstract painting style of camouflage that i’ve been exploring in the USA in Nevada and Utah. I will be adding to that Ecofeminism series in Iceland exploring global warming issues and exhibiting these at a gallery in NYC.
8. The Hidden Waterfalls
Location: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss
Description: Iceland's iconic waterfalls provided a dynamic backdrop for bodypaint that incorporated the flowing movement of water. The designs focused on fluidity and motion, creating a sense of harmony with the cascading water.
The asmr video of Seljalandsfoss went viral on TikTok and YouTube will over 250,000 views on TikTok alone.
We created influencer content for Blue Lagoon which went viral on TikTok. Focusing on ASMR skincare trends and Harry Styles new album release, we created wellness content of the VIP Blue Lagoon experience that helped us rejuvenate after a few long weeks on the road.
Behind the Scenes: Creating this series involved extensive planning and collaboration with local guides, models, and photographers. Each shoot required careful coordination to ensure that the art seamlessly integrated with the natural surroundings, often working under challenging weather conditions to capture the perfect moment. We thank our partners Go Campers, Panorama Lodge, Local Guides, and Blue Lagoon.
Conclusion: This bodypaint series in Iceland was a transformative experience, allowing me to explore the intersection of art and nature in one of the most stunning locations on Earth. Through this journey, I hope to inspire others to see the beauty and interconnectedness of the human body and the natural world.
Check out the full series on my YouTube Channel and follow my journey on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes content and updates on future projects.