Polar Bear Paint Event Body Painting NYC Feb 10 2018
My experience at Polar Bear Paint February 10 2018
By Gregory Valentine
February's chill and light
rain did not stop 30 brave souls from baring all, being painted at a theater off 8th avernue and approaching a rainy times square for a frosty and quick photoshoot..
The settings
Several artists, camera people, news crews plus myself, were able to tag along. In my case, I was a pre-approved volunteer for Andy Golub, the director of Human Connection Arts a nonprofit organization pushing for body acceptance and worldwide kindness towards humans everywhere..as a helper.. I was able to help paint, protect, and photograph these wonderful people in their most basic form..
This is my 6th time going to a body paint event in New York City.
Body painting day 2015
Body painting day 2016
Body painting with Irina and Nicole
Body Notes
Body Painting day 2017
And this one is called Polar bear paint... A take on the world famous New Year's polar bearYear's event who often just jump into icy waters to start the new year.
This time, I volunteered as a general helper.. Last time at the body paint day 2017 I was on security detail. Whatever they needed me to do to help.. I was willing to do it.
Body painting day 2015
Body painting day 2016
Body painting with Irina and Nicole
Body Notes
Body Painting day 2017
And this one is called Polar bear paint... A take on the world famous New Year's polar bearYear's event who often just jump into icy waters to start the new year.
This time, I volunteered as a general helper.. Last time at the body paint day 2017 I was on security detail. Whatever they needed me to do to help.. I was willing to do it.
My experience painting three people.
First off, I was extremely nervous to paint others.. It's not like a blank piece of paper, you know, these are living human beings.. I must admit it was a tremendous experience..
What did I feel about the nudity part? Seeing many men and women naked.. I felt nothing sexual, really you get used to seeing people naked.. Its stupid television, movies, and fear that make people hide their bodies making it an item to lust over, when you see the human body in real life and dialogue with real people its just that a human body... It's nothing sexual, unless a person makes it sexual..It's just people like you or me without clothes on, but wearing tribal like painting... you have to train your mind not to wander into lust and respect the person as a person. As part of the human family, We are all related. It starts by retraining your mind, that everything is not about sex, then try it yourself in practice at home with friends who are cool, then events. Like this one where people are like minded and friendly.
Let me explain.. I started by asking Andy if I could paint.. He said sure, and gave me a paint brush and some paint!
My first method of attack...is to wait for instructions.. This is not my event y'all, because everyone would be painted to look like dinosaurs or lizards... So I asked Andy what should I do? He gave me a rough outline paint sketch on the person I was painting named Howard.
My first method of attack...is to wait for instructions.. This is not my event y'all, because everyone would be painted to look like dinosaurs or lizards... So I asked Andy what should I do? He gave me a rough outline paint sketch on the person I was painting named Howard.
Howard
I said to him, like I said to everyone thereafter, Hello fellow human.. my name is "Greg Valentine and its an honor to paint you. Thank you." . I have a video in the link showing me painting Howard. I have a few stills of me painting him too. The experience was very honorable.. Requesting permission to paint everywhere. And he trusting me to do a go job allowed me to paint and tell jokes.
In his middle area I painted yellow from his face down, and on the flip side on the back down. We talked about life, family, jobs, events, what was his motivation for doing this.. His birthday was coming up and wanted to do a significant celebration.
Andy advised me to paint Howard's legs and arms green.. So I had to go mix two colors to make s good green color.
What does the paint feel like?
In his middle area I painted yellow from his face down, and on the flip side on the back down. We talked about life, family, jobs, events, what was his motivation for doing this.. His birthday was coming up and wanted to do a significant celebration.
Andy advised me to paint Howard's legs and arms green.. So I had to go mix two colors to make s good green color.
What does the paint feel like?
Well its a thing coat that makes you remarkably relaxed. I have been painted before and it feels like a second layer of skin. Its like you are clothed in paint and your skin can still breathe.
Son with the block painting done around the edges I wasn't sure if Andy wanted more colors.. So far, Howard looked like a yellow bellied dinosaur alligator man... Which was success enough (for me at least! Painting a stranger) Andy encouraged me to hurry up and to paint my human canvas completely which included his privates and I proceeded to do so asking permission ever step. Again the brush did all the human contact and yet there was trust and respect like a doctor and dentist.. Professional. Human. Trust. He asked me to take some pictures on his camera I took some with his and mine. This was the first official stranger I've completely painted. (I've painted my wife.. months before this)
Son with the block painting done around the edges I wasn't sure if Andy wanted more colors.. So far, Howard looked like a yellow bellied dinosaur alligator man... Which was success enough (for me at least! Painting a stranger) Andy encouraged me to hurry up and to paint my human canvas completely which included his privates and I proceeded to do so asking permission ever step. Again the brush did all the human contact and yet there was trust and respect like a doctor and dentist.. Professional. Human. Trust. He asked me to take some pictures on his camera I took some with his and mine. This was the first official stranger I've completely painted. (I've painted my wife.. months before this)
Jeremy
I finished block painting him and was moved to paint accent lines on another gentleman. The second i think his name was Jeremy.He was a big blue guy who stood on a chair pictures below. Painting black lines is more difficult than it sounds, black lines don't erase easily and are very pronounced on top of paint , its a lot to repair if you don't get the image right. Again I introduced myself, said it was an honor and began painting lines upon lines thickening black thin lines on a human body.
What was I thinking about you ask? I was thinking... Greg!! Don't mess up the art.. Steady lines, and how is this guy going to go home wearing all this blue paint? Will his clothes be blue? Will this paint come off of my clothes?
We got talking and he asked me if I ever did a body paint a event. I said yes. The body notes event in 2017. I was a painted model. He asked me what was my message on my chest?
My parents always told me whenever you do anything bring God glory.. Or don't do it. If you go to as party.. Don't act the fool..be the designated driver.. If someone needs to walk a far distance walk with them, keep them company. Be a message and a beacon. So my message was Body tell, God's Love Conquerors Death. Trust Jesus for Eternal life. So I didn't hide my faith when I was presenting truth of my outward body by truth of my inward soul. He was wowed that I did that. I hope it registers and sticks.. We talked more. And then I was finished painting him.
What was I thinking about you ask? I was thinking... Greg!! Don't mess up the art.. Steady lines, and how is this guy going to go home wearing all this blue paint? Will his clothes be blue? Will this paint come off of my clothes?
We got talking and he asked me if I ever did a body paint a event. I said yes. The body notes event in 2017. I was a painted model. He asked me what was my message on my chest?
My parents always told me whenever you do anything bring God glory.. Or don't do it. If you go to as party.. Don't act the fool..be the designated driver.. If someone needs to walk a far distance walk with them, keep them company. Be a message and a beacon. So my message was Body tell, God's Love Conquerors Death. Trust Jesus for Eternal life. So I didn't hide my faith when I was presenting truth of my outward body by truth of my inward soul. He was wowed that I did that. I hope it registers and sticks.. We talked more. And then I was finished painting him.
After I got done painting this gentleman, I went back to Howard to add paint lines to him as well with a new brush.. But another artist began doing that. So I adjusted the cameras and spoke with a few reporters. There was a lady who was dealing with anxiety and fear with doing this bold endeavor. A few others and I were able to encourage her on. For real... It's no easy task to be naked before the world. So I can add that to my motivational bucket list able too talk a person into being comfortable being naked. Check.
Jeanette
So I looked around for more opportunity to paint anyone and that brings me to Jeanette.
I met Jeanette at Body Notes 2017 and again at body painting day 2017. She is a painter too. She painted a tall woman, blue with swirls snd then it was her turn to be painted. I asked her if she wanted me to paint her and she said yes.
Again I said My name is Greg and its an honor to paint your persons she said I know who you are :) so her pattern was to be gold everywhere except her hands and her feet and her face. Again the paintbrush did all the contact and the sponges did too. At this point in my mind I was miles away, thinking about my dinosaur story, thinking about how it is now raining in times square.. I painted Howard with two brushes, Green and Yellow paint. Jeremy with one black brush and painting Jeanette I had another black paint brush and gold sponges. Asking permission and painting all the way through to her completion. Sponges are great for getting an even paint spread on skin. It doesn't streak like paint brushes do.
After painting she asked me to get some pictures of her on her camera too.
I met Jeanette at Body Notes 2017 and again at body painting day 2017. She is a painter too. She painted a tall woman, blue with swirls snd then it was her turn to be painted. I asked her if she wanted me to paint her and she said yes.
Again I said My name is Greg and its an honor to paint your persons she said I know who you are :) so her pattern was to be gold everywhere except her hands and her feet and her face. Again the paintbrush did all the contact and the sponges did too. At this point in my mind I was miles away, thinking about my dinosaur story, thinking about how it is now raining in times square.. I painted Howard with two brushes, Green and Yellow paint. Jeremy with one black brush and painting Jeanette I had another black paint brush and gold sponges. Asking permission and painting all the way through to her completion. Sponges are great for getting an even paint spread on skin. It doesn't streak like paint brushes do.
After painting she asked me to get some pictures of her on her camera too.
The stage
All the artists and the human models went on stage and hot several pictures. Andy called for all the artists to go on stage. I wasn't sure what I was.. So I leaned over and asked him Andy I helped am I an artist too? He said come up here. Greg!
That was such a great moment!! I got to be in the pictures with the newspaper! Later we were all on ABC News!
We had to clean up the theater and then proceed to Duffy square.
Several people had rain coats and was protected from the rain. I helped carry a bunch of personal effects for the models.
That was such a great moment!! I got to be in the pictures with the newspaper! Later we were all on ABC News!
We had to clean up the theater and then proceed to Duffy square.
Several people had rain coats and was protected from the rain. I helped carry a bunch of personal effects for the models.
Times Square
After this we all went to Times squareWe were not able to use the bleachers because of rain so they went to the Valentine's heart sculptureand got some great pictures.
After this 1\2 presentation at Times Square we went to the after party where I got to talk with the brave souls who presented in February wearing only body paint and courage. It was a good night. I made many new friends on Facebook and I was able to successfully help paint and protect fellow humans who enjoy art and truth.
Closing remarks
Being unclothed is a lesson in acceptance, and humans trusting humans. Itsnlike swimming.. Trusting the water adound you to hold you up. If you've never done this... try to do so in your lifetime. It is an awakening, its humanizing, its a non-sexual, very human that we are all the same and our personality is what makes us unique, very real event where people are able to be accepted as they are. and temporarily while wearing tribal paint... you become something more. A work of Art.
Thanks for reading :)
Scroll down to see video links and pictures
This event was protected as artwork by New York City and it allowed for the presentation of humans in our most basic form to be painted by breathable paint. This stands as a testimony to Almighty God the creator of all things living, as a testament to Adam and Eve and how we were originally made to live in the garden of Eden. This is truth of how God sees us always, even as we do our best to hide our true form from each other due to fear of rejection, ridicule or embarrassment. Another note, it takes a brave soul to cast off the outer constraints of what stifles us in fear and that which hides us, to allow ourselves to be painted by strangers in front of other strangers. This was a lesson in trust and confidence. They, The brave humans, who stood unmasked showed the world that they, like us, are all the same. The environment and temperature was that of respect positivity and friendliness. That was the polar bear paint and I was blessed to have opportunity to paint with other artists the human body. Andy Golub brings quality artwork and an environment of respect. It's not just people standing naked alone, but its actually living canvasses and people standing together, who are designed by God with a temporary design, from another artist.
Www.Humanconnectionarts.org
If you enjoy what you see or would like to be part in the future please check the link.
Www.Humanconnectionarts.org
If you enjoy what you see or would like to be part in the future please check the link.
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Www.YouTube.com/c/GregoryValentineAnimations
Www.YouTube.com/c/GregoryValentineAnimations
https://youtu.be/I9PZ_JbjQv0
1 hour footage start to finish of the polar bear paint body painting event
https://youtu.be/wVt89w9jrE8
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