Last night I posted my experience of my first body suspension – a 6 point angel suspension. You can read it and see the photos here. The process was also recorded on my phone, so I’ve created the video below. Enjoy!
This is best viewed at full screen!
Suspension has been on my to-do list for some time now. It’s fascinated me since the first time I saw a photo of it on BMEzine a long time ago. Today was the second time I have joined Constant Elevation for one of their suspension events. Only today I took part!
I would write a detailed experience, but I’m still buzzing and I think pictures speak louder than words for this one. The photos contain mild violence and blood.
If you have any questions about any part of my experience please leave a message in the comment section below!
A video of the whole suspension can be found here!
Getting measured up for the hooks, I had six in total.
The piercing. This was pretty painful, but was over very quickly. Most of the photos make me look like I’m planking which is rather amusing.
More images can be found under the cut…
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Today I was alerted to some new Google image search functionality by Myrmecos. The new feature allows you to drag and drop images or use URLs of existing images to find where the image has been published online, or images that are similar to it.
For some photographers and artists, this feature means they can track where they have been unaccredited for their work or any unauthorized use of their images. For me, I was mostly interested to see where some of my more “interesting” photos have appeared.
Last summer I was awarded a Daily Deviation on deviantArt for one of my scarification photos. Not long after I was bombarded with random people wanting to get to know me, people insulting my decision to get a scarification and of course a couple of crazies who wanted to get attention from me, be my best friend or just have sex with me. Because of the unwanted attention – all I wanted to do was share and look at art, not be stalked by emo teenage boys – I deleted my deviantArt account.
By the time I had deleted my account, the image had pretty much done the rounds on tumblr and various forums. I tried using TinEye to track where it had gone, but let’s face it, TinEye is pretty shitty. So when I found out about google reverse image search today I was straight on it. Most of my images had appeared on forums, tumblr pages and the odd blogspot but here are a few treasures I found along the way…
Click the images to go to the websites
I found this blog post with some photos taken during my scarification that I hadn’t seen! Clearly they had been published on BMEzine, but this is the first time I’d seen them. Please excuse the little panties ;)
This one managed to annoy me. Using a photo from my scarification to promote tattoo removal. WHO THE HELL WOULD HAVE A TATTOO REMOVED LIKE THAT? This is a ridiculous website.
And finally, to distract from the gorey scarification photos, I found my Katamari painting on a rather cute Tumblr page.
Happy New Year! Finally 2011 is here, and I am really looking forward to seeing what this year brings. Last year I decided to recap 2009 in photos as it was a great way to reflect on the events of the year in a why that wasn’t too much of a heavy read or boring as sin. I’ve decided to do another recap for 2010 as it’s a great way to get back into blogging after my Christmas hiatus! So let’s begin… read more »
Art, Blog, Body Modification, Events, Food, Gaming, Photography | 
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I’m so pleased! I’ve been trying to get a photo of my reflection in one of my microdermals for a while now. It’s
not the greatest shot but I really like it! I also took a photo using my camera phone this morning on the way to my run. You can see it on the right. Why do I always look so moody in self-portraits? I need to work on that I think.
This morning I have also been bug hunting with my macro lens by the River Wey. There wasn’t as much of a variety of insects as last year, I’m hoping the sun will draw them out soon. The only real frustrating moment of the day was that I finally saw a Bee-fly for the first time in Weybridge, but the only shots I got of it had terrible focusing. CURSES!! I did get a selection on nice photos regardless, you can see them below. It’s been great to pick up my camera again today, especially since the weather is beautiful.
Click to enlarge!
This was the only ladybug I saw all morning. Usually the grass it teaming with them when I walk to work. Sod’s law I guess.
The focusing is off on this shot but I still really like how soft it is. I was watching this guy for ages hoping to get a snap of him hovering.
Ewww a bluebottle! Haha although flies aren’t my favourite insects, I find them fascinating to look at. They’re so alien.
A Speckled Wood butterfly sunbathing. I must have taken this shot about 30 times to get this one image.
Another shot of the sunbather. (I feel a little voyeuristic using that term…)
This little Crab Spider was asleep inbetween the folds of this leaf and I startled him. That’s why he’s in this daft pose.
And lastly, the only shot of the ever-illusive Orange Tip butterfly. I’ve been after a proper shot of one of these for years now. They never seem to settle, it’s as if they’re hyper-active.
Arthropods and Snails, Body Modification, Photography | No Comments »
This week I spent five days relaxing with my boyfriend and his family at Center Parcs in Longleat. It was a lovely place, but unfortunately I had to do battle with one of my arch-nemesis… PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS. I hate those verruca infested, urine-filled cesspits. Unfortunately I didn’t want to be a spoil-sport and not go swimming with everyone, and many of the outdoor activities are cancelled during the winter period. Bugger. I will admit the swimming itself was fun, but the aftermath reminded me of my hatred almost instantly.
I couldn’t hear out of one ear and my piercings weren’t happy. Specifically my newest microdermal. Let the fun times begin!
Now other than rant on about the cleaning process, I thought it would be best to post up my care method to aid anyone who has a similar incident!
First things first, gather everything you need. I use:
The next step is the most important step. Wash your bloody hands! Grab that anti-bacterial soup and give your hands a good scrub, Christ only knows what you’ve been touching. You’ll then want to clean out the cup with some peroxide and make sure you wash it out thoroughly before using it. Hydrogen Peroxide is an acid and will burn you if used directly to your skin. It is far too strong for piercing aftercare, only use it for (slightly) sterilising equipment. Never use peroxide on piercings!
Now run your tap and let the water get to a temperature you can just bare on your skin. The heat will encourage blood flow around the infection, helping it to heal faster. Add a small amount of sea salt, but not too much! You should aim to get it to around the saltiness of tears. Too much salt and it will dry your skin, prolonging the healing process.
Hold the cup over the microdermal (as pictured) for 3-5mins. This will allow the warmth of the water and the drawing, slightly sterile nature of the salt to work it’s magic. If I can clearly see some swelling under my microdermal I give it a little squeeze. Wash your skin with warm water. I usually do an additional soak for 1min before washing it with cold water and letting it air-dry. Towels harbour bacteria, never use towels on an infected piercing.
Do this twice a day. Over-care can be just as damaging as none at all. If you find there is lymph around the piercing do not pick it off. It is a sign that your body’s immune system is working and an important part of the healing process.
Good luck and I hope you have a swift recovery. Remember if you are worried about the infection, always speak to your doctor or a trained piercer!
As I’m sat here irritated by the clingfilm constricting my skin and the long-forgotten feeling of tingling from the fresh tattoo on my arm, I’m reminded of my scarification and how draining the healing process was. I feel like after dealing with such an intense experience a tattoo pales in comparison. Today I had the first sitting of my half-sleeve; four hours of work done by the awesome Luci at Diamond Jacks. Although it was no-where near as painful, the buzzing from the gun started to drive me crazy after such a long session. I was glad I didn’t choose to do it all in one sitting.
This design has been on my mind for some time, three years in fact! I had been worried about having a tattoo that could be seen when I wear t-shirts. Now that I have finally made up my mind and it’s been started I can’t wait for it to be finished so I can show it off! Luci did a fantastic job of interpreting the sketches I gave her and so far it looks great! I’m excited to have another moth tattoo, especially another one of my favourites. You can see a photo of my Death’s Head Hawk moth here and yes, I am a fan of the Silence of the Lambs. The moth featured in my half-sleeve is a Comet moth. The Comet moth is part of the Atlas Moth family so it’s huge (20cm wingspan!) as such it was scaled down for the tattoo. As the moth is from Madagascar I chose flowers native to the country. Sadly the Comet moth is an endangered species. Yet another beautiful creature soon to be lost to the world.
After my sitting I had arranged to meet up with my mate Cero for some much-needed food and good company. We went to our favourite Korean restaurant in London, Gama, and I stuffed my face! I can’t get enough of that place, I wish I lived closer to it. Cero was kind enough to treat me to dinner in celebration of me getting a new job! I’ll be starting as a PR Executive in February, I can’t wait. After eating until I could burst he kindly walked me to Waterloo. I had to stop and take a photo at the decorations on the South Bank, purely because they look like Jelly Fish and that makes me happy!
I’m hoping to have the second sitting in February as I am attending a suspension event in January and I need time for my body and bank balance to heal. Before you scroll down to see my WIP tattoo, here’s one of my favourite Moth-inspired poems written by Anne Yohn. Enjoy!
Moth by Anne Yohn
A winged sunset flutters, drawn
toward the lamp behind me.Addled by errant desire
it bumps my knee,
leaves a smudge of moonlight.Recovering, the moth drunkenly swoons toward the glow
again
heavy-winged and awkward,
a novice angel.Now stained glass before the light
it feather-drums the lampshade,insistent
delirious with longing.
