Custom Body Painting, Purple and Gold

I did a custom body painting for local Pacific Northwest small business owner, Janet Brent also known as The E-Book queen. She wanted whimsical and wild self portraits that would serve a duel purpose: 1st and foremost to be expressive personal treasure in the form of body art portrait photography and 2nd, to serve as alluring and powerful tools in the marketing of her business.  

I love working with people to create custom body art portraits. I view these sort of projects as a collaboration between myself and my client model. 

I had very few perimeters to try and fit within. All Janet really required was that I use gold and purple body paint to create with and that she be photographed at the coast. 

I released a youtube video all about this particular art adventure. So feel free to view that on My Youtube Channel.

And Here is a beautifully written account of our art adventure by my client model, Janet:

"Dark and light must be embraced as one. We started the photoshoot in darkness with Chelsea Rose as my artist and photographer. I was painted and covered in gold with a single lantern light in a tent, on the beach starting at around 2am. The drive up to the coast was clear skies and the stars were showing its faces over dark country roads. I think I even saw the Milky Way. I was reminded of the time I saw a meteor shower with pitch black night and zero light pollution. The sky was as clear as the amazing meteor shower I had witnessed in my youth. Every few seconds, a star was falling, shooting it's light across the sky...Some stars would fall in synch. Together, they were dancing. ////

I emerged like a caterpillar. From its cocoon after sunrise. Crawling out of the tent covered in gold and purple body paint, to symbolize the inner warrior queen and goddess within me. The tribal/ethnic vibe was what I was going for. The earthy, grounded, rooted energy of mama earth and nature. What better way to celebrate the Queen in me than on the Oregon coast. //// I thought we would be going to Cannon Beach. All this time, I thought our location was where the Goonies had been filmed but it turns out that my artist/photographer had Oceanside in mind. However, a wrong turn on the country roads put us right towards Cannon Beach and a 40minute delay towards the location they had had in mind. I guess the Universe had other plans. Cannon Beach it was! And I couldn't be happier. I loved the location and setting. I love the preview pictures I've seen so far. ////

In my journey, I have tried so hard to find my 'higher self', my Queen, my Goddess Wild Woman that I had ignored the lower-self, the shadow self, for years. I tried to sweep her under the rug. In reality, I needed to hug her and embrace my lower and higher self as one. It is the darkness that informs the light. It is the light that informs the dark. What a wonderful journey to encapsulate all this than on the beach from darkness to light. Gratitude for Chelsea Rose Arts to be part of my journey and for celebrating the dark and light in all of us. Thank you! Namaste." - Janet Brent

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Earth Goddess body art in the Columbia River Gorge

I am FINALLY getting around to posting about the body painting and photo shoot for my Earth Goddess series that I completed back in August!

This was the 14th body painting I have completed for my Earth Goddess series. I had such a wonderful time with my model as we picnicked and painted on the bank of the Columbia River Gorge in one of Oregon's clothing optional state parks, Rooster Rock. 

As usual it took me around 4 hours to do the full body painting. 

Here are some of the finished photos from the shoot: 

My model, being an adventurous soul, was most willing to get into the water for some shots. I love the results! And I am SUPER excited to learn that the body paint held up relatively well in the water and so now I am dreaming of an entire new "Water Goddess" series. But I am getting a little ahead of myself. I feel I am pretty much finished with my Earth Goddess series so now I must get serious about finding a gallery that will show the finished images, and also start putting together a book for self publishing. 

I hope you enjoyed these photos, more soon. 

Much love,

-Chelsea Rose 

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Chelsea Rose Art Show recap and photos

So my art opening at Future Shock was lots of fun and I wanted to share some photos of it with you!

Here I am a bit gussied up for the opening night, posing with my mermaid door painting before the show started.

And here are some photos of the walls before it got crowded:

The artwork was hung by Danny Ebru, who has a fantastic eye for arranging and displaying art. He also took these photos. Thanks boo!

The show featured 55 of my original paintings.

Out of the 55 paintings displayed, 8 of them were collaborative works with other local Portland Oregon artists who are dear to my heart. The photo above, shows the "collab" section of the show featuring collaborations I did with Darci (Silly Weird Things), Danny Ebru, SKAM and RX Skulls.

Out of the 55 paintings, 27 of them were newly created pieces, most of which I had kept hidden from the world as I feverishly painted them the month before the show.

 I was very excited to get to debut so much new stuff at the art opening! The remaining paintings on display were "select works" from previous years that I felt deserved more time in the spotlight.

The new and old paintings were intermixed on the walls which I was initially a little nervous about, but in the end I think it worked out really well.

(Mike of Future Shock gets photo cred on this one!)

And, though I am not sure its apparent from these photos, I was happy to hang my canvas paintings alongside vinyl records, skateboards, blocks of scrap wood, doors and other found objects that I painted. So there was also an element of using recycled material for painting on, which we butted up right next to more of my traditional "fine art" supports formats like canvas.

What makes me even more pleased was that those that came to the show seemed to really dig the art:

We had a fantastic selection of beautiful souls cruise in to take a look at my art. With 12 original pieces sold I was ecstatic! 

People were also totally into the custom screen printed shirts Future Shock made specially to commemorate my art show. The shirt features a pen and ink drawing of one of my newest paintings that I debuted at the opening. 

Shirts are on sale for $20 at Future Shock or you can buy one( or check out more photos of it) in my online shop here. And yes, in case you were wondering... that is in fact a big MearOne painting next to my t-shirt display. His painting guards the entry way into the Future Shock Gallery and I am honored by its presence!

And I even sold out of the hand made sticker packs I put together for the opening! 

But have no fear, I made more sticker packs and I now have my own lil rack in the retail/record store section of Future Shock. 

And yes, you simply must stop in the Future Shock PDX sometime this month since my art will be on display all of September. No excuses! Even if you are far you must find a way to visit even if its via astral projection or stolen extraterrestrial teleportation devices. 

Much love and gratitude,

-Chelsea Rose 

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FREE SHIPPING

PDXER is the coupon code that will get you FREE SHIPPING(domestic) with any purchase from my etsy shop!

Thanks for your continued support. Sending love and light! 

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Earth Goddess UPDATE

So it has been quite some time since I have shared with you the progress of my Earth Goddess body art photography series. So far I have painted 13 women for the series resulting in 10 photo shoot sessions.

Scrolling back through my blog posts It looks like the last photoshoot I shared on my blog was my Triple Goddess session which was my 6th photoshoot in the series( the first time I had painted and photographed three women in one session.)

So picking up where I left off, My 7th photoshoot was with the gorgeous India-born, Portland raised model and artist Maulie:

I was quite excited to have the chance to add an Indian woman to my Earth Goddess series, thus broadening the diversity represented.  And this location was one that I had picked out from the very beginning as a definite spot for an Earth Goddess shoot, but it had taken some time to find a model who was willing to trudge up the long vertical hike through soggy cliff sides and precarious foot bridges.

Maulie proved amazing despite the fact that it was early May, thus resulting in a cold rainy morning in the mountains which was certainly not the most comfortable time to be nude in the wild.

And here are a couple of the finished photos:

My 8th body painting/photo shoot session was with amazing Sonoko, a Japanese born, Hawaiian raised  intellectual and all around babe.

I painted and photographed her on Sauvie Island on the nude side of the beach during an intensely bright day in June. The harsh direct lighting proved a bit of a challenge during the photo shoot but we still came away with an amazing amount of breathtaking photos. And Sonoko later reported having some super crazy, spirally tan lines!

Check out a couple of the finished photos:

My 9th body painting/photoshoot session was with a strong and vibrant Puerto Rican woman from New York.  I photographed her in one of my most favorite spots along the northern oregon coast:

I particularly enjoy how she is connecting with the earth here as she runs her fingers through the sand.

And then I really enjoyed the way her hands worked to collaborate with the rocky horizon line.

My most recent body painting/photoshoot session was with super mama and model Monis Ayala:

I painted her inside a canopy we set up for some much needed shade and privacy during a particularly sunny and crowded day at Rooster Rock state park.

Luckily within the clothing optional section we found plenty of privacy as we made our way through the reeds and berry bushes till we came upon shady forest paths.

Her son was due any day, her womb so full and yet she had lots of energy and strength and was able endure the long hot hike like a true champion. I feel she really reflected the amazing rasiliance and beauty of the Mother Goddess / Mother Earth.

So whats next?

Well I am having a particularly hard time casting for a couple of the last photo shoots I have planned. I am in dire need of a pregnant black woman and a elderly black woman. I have had no luck casting for either of these models through my usual channels so I will have to find new ways of reaching out. If you know of someone who fits what I described above please feel free to send them my way. Otherwise, wish me luck!

Much love always,
-Chelsea Rose 

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New Earth Goddess shoot in Rooster Rock State Park

I am so SO happy to say that during the past weekend I did my fourth body painting/photoshoot session  for my Earth Goddess series!

We drove out to Rooster Rock State Park and set up a canopy near the clothing option section of the park and quickly got to painting:

My partner in all things Danny Ebru was there to lend a hand and impart words of wisdom. These work in progress shots are a curtesy of his presence.



I was super surprised at how quick this body painting session took to complete. Normally a full body painting takes me six hours yet it only took about 3 hours this time around!

Once the painting was done we began to hike through the trails in the clothing optional section of the park. The trails were lush and wound their way along the edge of the Columbia River Gorge. It was beautiful and full of wonderful little nooks to shoot in.


My model Asima was brilliant. Her easy confidence, positive energy and personal wisdom really made for some exciting captures. I took over 400 photos in about two hours.
I have just begun to look through, sort and edit the photos.

Here are the first two finished photographs, roughly edited, that I have posted publicly:

Earth Goddess
body art and photography by Chelsea Rose
model: Asima

Earth Goddess
body art and photography by Chelsea Rose
model: Asima

Hope you enjoy them!
...More soon to follow so stay tuned... ( Danny managed to take a time lapse video of me painting Asima's face and neck. Keep a look out for that, it will be posted on our youtube channel  )

My fifth Earth Goddess shoot is this weekend. We will be painting and photographing in the "Cove" beach in Seaside at the crack o' dawn. Wish us luck!

Also, I want to say a big big big thank you to the generous and supportive souls who contributed to my kickstarter fundraiser earlier this year. I think about you all the time and feel so inspired. This project wouldn't be the same without your support. So, thanks again :)

Much Love and Light,
-Chelsea Rose

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New Earth Goddess body art photos + Holiday specials

Hello All,
Just got back from the deep magick woods of Southern Oregon where I was doing two body painting/ photo shoots for my new body art photo series “Earth Goddess.” These are the first three shots I have released from the trip!

(from my first shoot of the trip...more to come)


(from my first shoot of the trip...more to come)


(from my second shoot of the trip...more to come)

Yes, booth photo shoots were such fantastic experiences on so many levels. But really I have to give major respect and heaps of gratitude to my two amazing modeling subjects who braved the late fall chill( literally freezing!)wearing nothing but a thin layer of body paint to make this vision come alive. Brr! Also must certainly giving thanks and much love to my guardian faeries; Wonder and Tinker, for finding and connecting me with my modeling subjects but also providing a safe, cozy place to stay and create, scouting the woods for shoot locations, presiding over the operations of the photo shoots as well as some how manifesting last minute props and tools as random needs made themselves known. I love you! Thanks for everything and more.

And as for the future of my "Earth Goddess" series? Well I have lots of wishes and I am excited to see what manifests. I do so hope to get to do a body art photo shoot in the snow for this series, as well as a misty forest beach shoot. I am on the look out for ethnically and body type diverse modeling subjects + a pregnant woman or two. I also hope to try my hand at a group body painting photo shoot someday. So if I count that all out it adds up to about 7 or 8 more shoots before I can call this series done. But we shall see, making plans always seems a bit rash considering the universe already has her mind made up about things and keeps it a secret. But I am looking forward to sharing more of the recent shoots with you, so keep an eye out!

In other news...the Holiday season fast approaches and so I wanted to share with you two limited time offers:

FREE SHIPPING on your purchase of "The Goddess In All Of Us" book + more

****Holiday Sale - free shipping + a bonus of two surprise 4"x6" Goddess In All Of Us first edition prints. Curious? Well take a look a closer look at this special here.

Also, we are offering %25 off on our Mandala and Yantra Calendars:

*****Holiday Sale - 25% OFF

Mandalas & Yantras, Sacred Geometry Art 2012 Calendar

combining the work of several independent artist with the wisdom of traditional symbolism and sacred geometry we mindfully created a calendar to enhance the quality of the lives it touches through its presence.

The 12 month calendar features art from five different artist, Joanne Licardo, Roger Long, Mark Marasco, Danny Rodriguez, and Nobuaki Suzuki.

In this calendar we have marked holidays and observances for the U.S., Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Shinto, Rastafarian, and Celtic traditions.

Wall Calendar is 8"x8" with a saddle-stitch binding.

check it out here!

Much Love and Light,
-Chelsea Rose

P.S.
I am now on tumblr and deviantart Come find me, add me and say hi!
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Birthday Excursion into the woods with paint

So, you may or may not have noticed that i have been rather quiet this month. Truth is its my Birthday month so i have been more introspective with my goals centering more so around relaxation and personal time. Yes, the art has suffered a bit...but I have managed to spend some time on my current painting in the works and i am seriously about 20 mins away from finishing it! So i will be sharing photos of that soon.

My 24th birthday was on Monday and i decided to take a few days off from work and get away from the city. So my better half and I ran off to the southern Oregon woods of wolf creek to visit with my big bro Wonder in his most amazing patch of forest. We had a splendid time spent hangin out, swimin in fresh mountain water, eating yummy food, star gazing, story tellin and...painting!

Wonder and Tinker have a full attic of art supply goodies and they had the great idea to paint thier newly fashioned chicken coop. It was decided that I would paint a harpy laying a golden egg.


Danny helped out by painting a "GanEGGsha"
See? its Ganesha holding golden eggs.

Here we all are during various stages of the creative process. Wonder was painting a eggy hobbit riddle that went something like "A box without hinges, keys or lid yet golden treasure inside is hid?"

Anyhoo! I had a wonderful time and want to run away and live in the woods forever.

More updates soon.
Love and Light,
-Chelsea Rose
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