Beauty Comes From The Soul

I like tattoos. I find them to be artistic and a visually pleasant way to express yourself, providing it has some sort of meaning to the person wearing it. Although I have heard/seen photos of Rick Genest previous to his appearance in Lady Gaga's music video and his catwalk work for Mugler, after seeing the 'Go Beyond The Cover' advertisment for DermaBlend, I was inspired to learn more about the person behind such life changing tattoos. From several interview video clips you can clearly see that this man is simply a creative personality whom comes across as genuine and intelligent.

I think Rick inspires debate as to what the true definition of beauty is; is it a series of boxes upon a list to be complied with and ticked off, or is it more relaxed, individual and specific to the subject in question? Personally, I feel that we have images of what the media and retailers feel should be considered beautiful thrust in our faces on such a regular basis that we now really have to take time out to stop, think and look before deciding for ourselves what we deem beautiful. But even then, many feel apprehensive about going against the grain to see alternate beauty. I like the fact that what one person finds repulsive, someone else can find beautiful, and resent people who criticise for others for holding opposite opinions to their own.

I'd love to be able to meet him, as I'm sure many people would. However, I wouldn't waste time asking him 'why?' as it is obvious that to him this is what beauty and feeling comfortable in your own skin entails. Instead, I would simply want to admire the artwork that adorns his body, as I am afterall a massive fan of horror films and the macabre myself.

I'll leave you to make your own conclusions about him and his tattoos, but I am inspired.



Go Beyond The Cover advert for DermaBlend:


Interview with Rick Genest:

Things I Love This Week

Horse Riding - Loving riding (as always) but loving seeing that I've improved since starting at a new riding school. Adore the horses I've been riding, Dennis and Minnie too <3

Steven's Scooter - Glad he's bought a new scooter as the old one is a piece of junk! I curse the day it was bought!

M&S Lemon Drizzle Cake - Not usually a massive fan, but it was pretty nice cake!

Boardwalk Empire - Only watched the first episode but hoping to get involved quickly.

Long Shot Film Festival 2011 - Gutted that I didn't win the audience award with 'Resume' but think it was just the wrong audience and that people failed to see the creative, unusal message. Was good to get my film screening in a room full of people, even if it was terrifying too.

Bents Garden Center - Went over the weekend and was impressed by their christmas displays, also picked up a couple of bargains for when we move out!

David Blaine & The Great White

One of my biggest ambitions in life is to swim/dive with sharks, I'm very jealous of this very crazy David Blaine video for designer Adam Kimmel. Mr Kimmel, if you need anyone else for some reshoots I'll volunteer!!



Dressed for Dinner from adam kimmel on Vimeo.

A Bout De Truffe

Tom Tagholm's A Bout De Truffe is another of my absolute favourite shorts. I first remember being shown it by my lecturer whilst doing my BA degree and it's stuck with me ever since. This French short is about Jean Dubois, a truffle hunter who is down on his luck, until he comes across the daddy of all truffles. It is set in a beautiful delapidated cottage in a woodland (you know how much I love decaying things!) and his pig, Carinne, is gorgeous.

Danse Macabre: The Most Beautiful Film In The World

I first saw Danse Macabre, a film by Pedro Pires, at Edinburgh's Dead By Dawn Festival in October 2010. I think I must have watched the whole film with my jaw hanging open. It was visually stunning and the concept was beautiful. I really don't even know how to summarise what an impact it has had upon me! I found out today that I could finally buy the entire film from iTunes and it really has made my year in regards to being an audience member.

Here's the trailer:

Long Shot Film Festival 2011

I am very happy to announce that my short film 'Resume' has been selected to be screened as part of the Long Shot Film Festival!

It's my first proper screening of any film that I have created so I'm super happy and excited!!

You can buy a ticket for a mere £5 from here if you'd like to come along!! There is an audience award category, so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Urban Exploration

I'm a huge fan of abandoned, deserted places that time forgot. I think there is an incredible beauty in the quiet, isolatedness of a place where no one goes anymore. Recently I've been looking at more and more blogs about the exploration of abandoned places and a lot of the photos I've seen have really moved me. Strange but true! One of the best, if not the best blog I came across was by Michael John Grist's website (I hope he doesn't mind me linking to his site). I spent around 2 hours looking at his photos and reading about his trips exploring locations and felt that I'd been trekking round Japan with him! I'd really recommend having a good read of his website and it's very entertaining.

Recently, I discovered a way into an abandoned airfield within a few miles of where I live. I'm amazed to think that it was there all this time and I had no clue!! So I dragged my poor boyfriend around for a quick look whilst we were looking for locations for Project Black. We only had around 20 minutes before we needed to get back to meet the rest of the crew, but this was long enough to find the control tower and spot a bunker style tunnel.

As soon as I had to be dragged away I wanted to go back. So I planned to go back the following week. We managed to have a good look around pretty much the whole airfield, including the control tower, 2 bunkers, the reservoir and all of the runways. It's amazing!! We did get stopped by a guy who said part of it was private land and asked us to leave. It was a shame but we left without fuss as we'd seen most of what we wanted to anyway. I think I'm going to leave it at least a few months until I go back to see what changes occur.

Here are some photos I took, I'm no photographer, but they're nice to look at methinks and not bad for my first go!:

Toxic Barrel

Mini Runway

Caution: Height Restrictions

Control Point

Start/Finish

Reminants of a Party

Stairs

Switch

Radio Receiver

The Hungry Caterpillar

Lonely Hut

Yellow

Tunnels

Hidden Tunnel

Empty Reservoir

Scattered Seats

Handprints

Love

Silhouette

Things I Love This Week

Vivienne Westwood Shoes - Two new pairs!! A gorgeous grey heel with thick ankle cuff and a kitten heeled, pointy black slip on shoe with a skull on!! Awesome.

Raindance Saturday Film School - Very informative and creative, Elliot Groves is a genius. 

Red Hot World Buffett - Good range of food, nice night out with the work ladies.

Christmas Shopping - I have officially started and have a present for my mum!

Project Black - Nearly finished!!

Onesie - I officially own a leopard print all in one pyjama suit.