FEBRUARY 2025
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| VOL 20 ISSUE 2 | FEBRUARY 2025 |
This was the fouth year I attended the incredible Sasserfraz Pictures Junkyard Shootout in Wittman, Arizona. This is an event where hundreds of models and photographers show up to do impromptu or planned shoots amoungst the apocolyptic backdrop of trashed cars, busses, and other junkyard accoutrements. I had been planning a chrome bodypainting idea that would be shot from an overhead drone to reflect the sky and clouds. To add to the reflections I wanted to repurpose the 100' roll of silver vinyl that I had first used at the Phoenix Fan Fustion Bodypainting Extravaganza in 2023. Next I was looking for the perfect model. I mostly associated Carrie Esser as a bodypainter, but she had posted quite a few of her projects where she painted herself and so I asked her is she would be interested in collaborating with me on this and she said yes. We had been discussing locations for several months and when the Junkyard event was announced, I decided that was the opportunity we had been waiting for.
Since Carrie normally paints herself anyway, I said she should paint as much of herself as she could reach and I'd assist with the rest. Everything fell into place. The drone got some overhead shots of her laying in the vinyl, and last minute, I decided to bring severl blue smoke bombs. A photographer there named Christopher Lee happened to have a mirror mask that was the perfect prop. We used my old trick of mixing Mehron metallic powder with baby oil instead of the normal mixing liquid to make it look extra shiny. I definitely got the shot that I had been planing, but ironically there were so many more looks that I got with Carrie that it's tough to pick a favorite. We both stuck around until sunset and she worked with several photographers. It was a very cool project!
I've had the great fortune to work on some really signature projects in my lighting design career and doing the museum store at The Heard Museum is definitely one of them. The Heard Museum focuses on the art and culture of Native Americans and the museum store has been totally reimagined to be an extension of the exhibit gallery, except all of the artisan's work is for sale in this space. We worked with PHX Architecture and SB Design on the project that had a modern take on the classic Southwestern aesthetic. Click the image above to see more of my photos on the Creative Designs in Lighting website.
The project was also featured in Native American Art Magazine at this link https://www.nativeamericanartmagazine.com/issues/55/A-New-Chapter
I believe it would have been about 1985 when I joined the band Center Alley in Hagerstown, Maryland. I was 18 and they were much older 35-year-olds (seemed so much older than me, but looking back now, 35 seems so young). The drummer in the band was Mike Hoffer, who saddly passed away this month. His son contacted me and said that he had been in the hospital for a few days and his heart wasn't doing well along with flu complications. It was touching that he also said that his dad told him that the time that he was in the band with me were some of his favorites because I brought a different more youthful energy to Center Alley. Those were definitely good times and I stayed in the band throughout my whole college career until I moved to Arizona in 1989. Guitarist Tom Borum often referred to him as the "Charlie Watts of Hagerstown" and that was very apropos since he kept perfect time, stayed true to feel of the songs, and let the front line have the spot light. I did get to see him the last time I was in Maryland visiting family and that's also when I got to meet his son, Mike Jr. It was great to reminiesce with him one last time about all of the good times. He will be missed by me and so many others. Rest in peace my musical brother.
June 7th (8 pm Saturday) - Phoenix Fan Fusion Bodypainting Extravaganza is back. This year's them is Gothic Glam.
E-ya later,
Mark Greenawalt
Mark@MarkGreenawalt.com
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