Frankie Caron Frankiez Talkin Canvas
You use the phrase “Talking Canvas” quite a bit on the website - what do you mean by that? That pretty much speaks for itself. My canvas is fully alive and breathing, moving, and talking, or as I spell it, “talkin,” without the “g.”
It’s a New England thing, where I’m originally from, by way of Newport, Rhode Island.
How long does it take to do a full body paint job? A body painting can range from 20 minutes to 12 hours or more. Personally, my longest was eight hours and my shortest was about five minutes.
What different art forms are you working with? Right now I’m busy preparing for some of my annual gigs in airbrush body paint. I’ve been body painting for more than 12 years. I’m also working on some canvas pieces, fine art prints in stippling (pen and ink), and a couple of murals.
If you had to choose, what is your favorite genre and why? I’d have to say that my favorite form would be body art, mainly because of all the interaction with my canvas (models), venues, cities to explore, etc. What artist wouldn’t like painting on a beautiful model, while having a conversation with a living canvas that actually converses back?
You’ve done quite a bit of body painting. For most people in Florida, body painting brings images of Fantasy Fest in Key West. Is that where this all got started? For me, Fantasy Fest and Key West is where I gained recognition for my art and got some notice. There are so many people to paint during Fantasy Fest that I had a crash course in painting fast, but with quality. In a nine day period, I’m working from the imagination of each individual canvas that I paint, so I also have to be versatile with all the different ideas to paint. As for body painting in general, it is the second oldest form of art known to mankind, only preceded by hieroglyphics on walls in caves. Tribes of humans painted for celebration, war, weddings, prayer, etc. Modern body art is used and has been used by make-up artists for movie magic, theaters, operas, circuses, and many other forms of art and entertainment, since Lord knows when.
Lots of art tries to capture the beauty of the female form, but body painting actually uses that as the starting point. What’s the point of this art – to build on that form, to comment on it? Capturing a fun, flowing, colorful, well composed piece of art on a living, breathing, beautiful canvas, and pushing my body paint skills and ideas to successfully complete a working illusion is my main goal for this form of art. For the canvases that I paint, it’s a way for the models to express themselves in a cherishing way, to celebrate the beauty of the human form and mix it with mortal art. For some, it makes them feel like a celebrity, from the momentary attention it can bring, which boosts their self confidence. Basically, it’s a more artistic, creative, colorful and modern form of art nudes, with a design to enhance what’s already a great piece of art. Also, it’s an advertising and promotion favorite.
For some people, body painting comes down to the nudity. How do you feel about working on such an unusual canvas? In the beginning, I was a bit shaky and nervous. Not because of the model being naked, but because some of these living canvases are absolutely beautiful people, and I was more worried about whether or not I could pull off an amazing painting which would complement their natural beauty. Now I’ve painted so many bodies (of all shapes and sizes) and I’m so preoccupied with the outcome of the artwork that I completely zone into my work, and the body that I’m painting fades into the background. All that I actually see at these moments is the contours of their shape, to make the painting flow with their movements and physique.
Pulse Magazine SWFL | 19
What’s the most unusual thing that you’ve ever been asked to draw? I’ve drawn too many weird things in my lifetime to recollect, but I have drawn a couple of wacky and provocative designs or pictures for tattooing. But I don’t think I can mention them here in Pulse Magazine!
I understand that you work on motorcycles too – how did that start? Yes, I also paint motorcycles. As a matter of fact, I’ll paint on just about anything, if possible! I painted motorcycles and vehicles before I ever painted on a human being.
I’ve been body painting for more than 12
years, but airbrushing over 18 years. I started with rattle cans before being introduced to an airbrush, both are similar - paint under compressed air.
The techniques are similar to working on body paint, but body paint is so temporary, and this is something permanent. Do you approach them differently? Well, you cannot use an xacto blade or urethane paint on a human canvas, so that type of stencil art is out of the question. I can cut and work directly on a bike; however, I have to prepare any stenciling beforehand when I do human body paint. Also, a piece of art that is made to last for a long time is a bit more expensive than one that lasts from a day to a week. But they are both body paint; auto body paint and human body paint.
Where can people check out the work? Any upcoming exhibitions? I haven’t hosted my own exhibition yet, but it’s in the works to happen soon. I just want to produce a little more for my portfolio before revealing my exclusive art to the public. I did an exhibition for a silent and live auction on September 9-11th at the American Legion, Post #29 in downtown Miami. It was for a non-profit organization named Reality Revolution, proceeds benefiting clean water and school supplies for Haiti. I was exhibiting body paint and live art at Space 39, downtown Fort Myers, on Monday nights, but I have so many of my yearly events coming up that I’m not able to be there. It’s a great art gallery and lounge, and there’s an amazing artist in my place on Monday nights named Justin, who can more than satisfy any need for high quality body painting.
How can readers get in touch with you and learn more? Anyone can get in touch and learn more about my work - either email
frankieztalkincanvas@gmail.com or visit
www.FrankiezWerldz.ning.com. During Fantasy Fest 2011, visit me at Crystals & Coconuts in Key West!
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