How to scare your friends and prove a point!!!

Ah, After Dark!  You’ve heard me mention this many times.  It inspires you!  You meet new people and your start getting into the groove about how far you can be yourself with these new people you have found.  

I was having a great conversation with my roomie at the time the LOVELY Rachel Frank  before all the classes started.  I had mentioned in passing that if I did not have pink hair I would go completely invisible.  I would be completely (and I mean completely) INCOGNITO!  She wasn’t so sure about that though…she seemed to think if someone really knew me, they would recognize me.  I decided it was time to prove that point and get inspired to do something wacky!!!!

I asked this lovely designer if I could have her style me up in her designs really quick like…and even do a touch of makeup so that I would be undetectable but also living my secret desire to be a “character”.  For some odd reason in my mind, I think After Dark was the perfect place to pull this off.  After all – I was only putting into action everything I had been taught. 

I grabbed a black wig I had brought and the rest was all designs & makeup by Rachel Frank. 

My commitment to character:

-completely covered my pink hair

-no glasses at all, I was blind – I mean blind!

-rachel and I wear the same size shoe, I even borrowed her shoes!

-took off my wedding ring and replaced it with her bunny rabbit ring

-borrowed rachel’s black bag and inserted by super color purse into it. 

I basically did everything to shed EVERY object in my personal wardrobe to make this happen. 

I began to get really really really excited to start scaring people.  At first though, I had to walk around like I fit in and was supposed to be there.  Now, mind you – I thought Brooke Shaden would be the funnest to scare, but I wasn’t sure where her class was.  Being blind and all, I was kinda hoping they were in the vicinity with a sign so I would find her class faster.  Would you believe…that as I came down the stairs I heard her voice and saw a blurry figure with long hair?  Her entire class was sitting at the bottom of the stairs learning about the $10 wardrobe.  TEE HEE HEE! 

I couldn’t see if anyone was staring at me because I was blind and I liked it that way.  I had to remind myself to maybe not even smile for a while just in case!  I found my way to the back of the class and plopped down to listen to what Brooke was teaching.  I was half-listening and half-thinking to myself as to WHEN to pop this on her.  I have this thing about NOT wanting to be disruptive so I had to carefully find that perfect moment to appear and “re-appear”.   I remember she took a picture and brought it around…and I leaned in as if I could see the image (I could not) and I giggled in the back asking a question of the girl beside me who DID recognize me when I spoke.  Then I waited some more…oh the JOY of what will happen….what will she do? What will she say? LOL

Brooke took another picture demonstrating the lighting and model and subject.  She asked everyone to come up and take a look at the camera on the tripod.  I slowly made my way up there as she commented “Come on all you slow people in the back!”…

I approached the camera and got in really really really close so I could actually REALLY see the image and then I looked at her with my eyes and said “I’m not slow!”.  The reaction on her face was priceless.  First, confusion for a second…then…a “wait what?’  At this point I can’t help laughing because the look on her face was true surprise.  Then the moment was over! She saw who I was! HAHAAH!!!!!  I told her “I’m just commiting to character, which you totally get right?”  Here is a picture of what I feel parts of her reactions were…they were truly priceless….

Then she was like, you totally have to leave my class!!!  I actually DID want to step out of the way now that I had proved my point and had a laugh.  She continued with the class and I continued on my way giggling that I’ve had so much fun just putting this together and proving a point to myself and teaching myself about character.  It was truly priceless.  I won’t ever forget that.  (yes, she DID forgive me later out of character---hahah She thought it was BRILLIANT.)

I began to move forward in a few of the other areas at Union Station and scared a few more people.  Brian Demint walked past and gave me a friendly hello til I pushed him further to recognize me.  Then he exclaimed “you look norrrmalll!!!! There is hope for you!!!”.  Haahahah!!!  That too, was priceless.   I definitely got a few more giggles in as I moved forward with my quest.  While I was finishing my scare with Dan Frievalt…Brooke Shaden walked past again and completely gave me that look of “you are totally freaking me out I’m SO not talking to you!!!”  Bahahah!!!  Ah, life is good!

I scared both Dena and Brian Demint - and this was a still from a small video capture by Muja Rupam

This next one I couldn’t stop laughing – even when I re-tell the story.  My friend Kelly told me I should follow Presley around and see if she would recognize me.  I took it a step further.  I obnoxiously tail-gated her while walking behind her.  I remember she walked into the room but then had to run back out for her phone charger!  I stayed literally on her until I bent over laughing at the stairs outside because she turned around and was like “excuse me!”  Then I said “heeeey”.  Hahaah!! I was like telling her I was purposely following her soooo close to the point of “personal space” being invaded that it was just too funny to bear.  She recognized me and forgave me, I think ? Did you Presley? LOL haahahaha  

Ok so after all the shenanigans – I realized I needed a decent picture of myself to capture this moment.  Thankfully the lovely Tonja was going to her next class and I asked her for a few minutes of her time and she obliged!  I finished out my character with a quick photo shoot and the results were so amazing! THANK YOU TONJA!!!!  

Image by Jason & Tonja - Designs/Styling/MUA: Rachel Frank, RFD

Thanks to everyone that made that last After Dark special.  I know I can be a handful, but doggonit I had a blast!!!! WOW!!!!!  Thanks to everyone that made this happen.

Credits:

Clothing/Makeup: RFD by Rachel Frank

Photography: Images by Jason and Tonja

Location: After Dark Education, Union Station Hotel St Louis MO

p.s. thanks to EVERYONE i scared - it was a blast. :) And to those that recognized me? THANKS! 

Full body shot by Jane Love (on her phone) 

And for the words in a more ANIMATED version, less texty............
herez a quick video comment!!!

When the storms wake you up.....

Part of our journey we shared in Saint Louis this year was impending tornados that apparently came through the city and caused alarms to ring in our hotel at 5:30am.  I had just gone to bed at 4:30am working on backing up all of my images onto an external hard-drive and making sure my laptop was a bit more cleaned off.  I was enjoying the last few moments I had in my room with the roomies asleep and the darkness filling the space. 

At 5:30am...and crazee siren went off and said there was a tornado warning ...and that we needed to proceed immediately to the basement.  I woke up....at first confused....was this a TEST????

No, it was not.  I scrambled around FREEZING cold cause it was chilly in there...and digging for my shoes cause I figured wherever I was going...I would want shoes, a light jacket, the hotel room key and my phone.  At first, I was just going to laugh it off and hide in the bathtub, but mama Jane insisted that her phone said this was all legit and that we needed to leave FAST! 

I'm not a morning person. 
I'm not a nice person with lack of sleep.
So I was angry.

Not at anyone.....................
AT THE TORNADO.

We got to the basement....and about 60 seconds later...the warning had passed.  We walked through passageways like ... THIS - you know tons of skylights, windows and things that break when tornados come through.  The entrance to the basement was down the stairs and through a door...whilst passing through atriums, sky lights and more.  You can see how that might have fueled my anger.

 I should have just crawled into the bathtub i'm thinking..................

We make it back to the room and make insanely loud sobbing noises because the tornado has robbed our sleep and we silently pay homage to our 5:30am wake up call with a funny pictures. (Thanks to Rachel Frank)  I love these ladies. Through the madness of the storms - we still found much laughter.

We also had a casualty of war....when the sirens were hitting Rachel lost a nail in the bathroom.....lol

Morning came fast...and so did our checkout time....we awoke around 10am and I was just like OH CRAP!!!!! we have to check out!!!! I got a late checkout by a miracle and we spent the next 3 hours singing, packing and getting ready to say good bye. 

In my moments of "despair" I figured in order to laugh at myself later - I would "save" my camera gear before I left the room for the tornado .  Mind you, the window is RIGHT THERE and so are the curtains.  I merely scooted it around the table...and abandoned it.  *facepalm*  Notice the dissaray of the stuff...and the forcibly thrown shoes and props around the floor.  Yes folks....
Here is what I did when I left the room....

I found that we could have a good laugh....and being that my whole season this spring has been NOTHING but freaky deaky storms every time I travel...I had to do nothing but laugh...and pack...and sing En Vogue all that morning.  When they say FREE YOUR MIND and the rest will follow?  For realz yo.

For fun moments...and waking up moments....I relied on my sense of humor to give you what I call..."Fashion-ado"....or "Rachel-nado"....because our room did look like a tornado anyways.  Such great fashion to be had and much fun to have followed those 4 days at after dark.

And this my folks...is the beauty out of storms....you may be ANGRY....frustrated....a little delayed....but you are guaranteed to have laughs and stories to tell for the rest of your life.  I wouldn't take that back for anything.

But there's MORE.

Because apparently the storm system was ongoing.....I was at the airport for my flight and we had THREE warnings of tornados while there.  Every time I turned around...there was a warning and telling us to get away from the windows.

I should have been a storm chaser, in another life.

Thanks for letting us fly out....even with all the tornado storms....so glad that the system passed so I could get home for Adventure part 2. :) 

I end this story with this.....you WILL have storms...........
you WILL have delays...............

but find a way to laugh - it always helps. :) We did!

This was my "i'm so mad at that tornado for waking me up at 5am look"............

Thanks for reading everyone.............

What the latest funniest travel story for you? <3

Jen

Ode to Union Station!

So, as you know by now - I attended what we did call the LAST after dark education experience.  A place where you can make your OWN experience what you want it to be.  A place where you are challenged to not just take but GIVE of yourself at any given moment.  BE a part of something.

Because it was my understanding this was the FINAL after dark I wanted to put into play a few concepts that I dreamt up....and one of them I dreamed up during a class session.  I believe I was in one of Brian Demint's classes and I thought to myself.....

What can I do to show homage to this space? UNION STATION? 

We all know and love the grand hall - but the grand hall was all tore up from the floor up.  My lovely arch was guarded by ropes and walls were missing. :(  But every day....I walked in and saw something unique - and perhaps no one else saw....

THE CARPET.

Did any of my other fellow after darkians see this madness??!!!  It was golds with highlights of reds and shading of blues and blacks.  I thought to myself - what about this homage to the carpet?  What would THIS look like? 

I jotted down a few ideas....and approached Dena Demint about it.  I was like hmmm...and she was like hmmmm!!!!  And then I found Erin and talked to her at one of the adventures wandering around the hotel.  She had this PERFECT golden dress that matched up with the concept perfectly!!!!  This was kindof a secret project I put together to show my love not only for after dark, but an inspiration of the hotel.  We have been taught many times over to be inspired and follow through with your ideas be it a success or a failure.  I definitely wanted this to be a success!  I didn't care how tacky the carpet looked - how could I make this amazing!!!???!!!!

Erin hopped in with her ideas and styling...and we got the makeup done to mimic the flowingness of the flooring.  We left out the reds on the face because we made her lips red.  By the end of it all - I felt this glamourous feel to it and the flow of Erin's modeling plus the styling made it super duper fun.  I am still working on finished artwork for these pieces - but as you can see - the ideas were formed....and I'm executing with full-forced-passion!!!!

Here is a close-up of the work Dena did.

This was sooo amazingly fun to not only BRING ideas to After Dark - but concieve them on site with wonderful teams of creatives all over the hotel.  It turned out SO COOL and I look forward to the final series I'll be doing for this homage. :) 

Was anyone else truly inspired by spots in the hotel?  
Share your thoughts and inspirations!

Love Jen


Photography: Pink Light Images
Model: Erin Leigh Pribyl
MUA: Dena Demint
Styling: Erin Leigh Pribyl (dress)
Location: Union Station Hotel, St Louis MO
After Dark Education

Feature in Cloud Orchid Magazine, Fall 2013 - "Evolution" series.

FIRST:  I am thankful to have met the crew of Cloud Orchid last year when they were starting out on this adventure.  I have an appreciation for folks that dive into their arts and ALSO appreciate and celebrate the arts and fashion of others.  I have been featured several times and this time is no different!

Thank you Cloud Orchid for believing in me and publishing me!

SECOND:  The model Jane Love has been an exceptional artist in my life.  Since our meetings in the last year we have done nothing but have lots of fun and make great art.  I like when people work hard and it SHOWS in how professional they are in making the craft.  Her experience shows and the ability to be a kind of chameleon is such an artist dream.  I'm proud to share the magazine spread with her! THIS ROCKS!!!!

THIRD:  To After Dark Education - the EVENT that started it all.  I have met some pretty awesome people since going for the first time in 2012 and have never regretted a single moment of my path since then.  Without THAT experience I would not come this far into my journey, my adventure and my art.

Thank you ALL!

Much Love to you,  Pink Light Images
You inspire me.
You are dream makers.


This series was inspired by the opening film-atic scene of RESIDENT EVIL: Afterlife

Here is what inspired it all - a few moments of opening scene gave me inspiration for fun, transformation and fashion.

it's about to get real fun in GREEN BAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will be reuniting with some lovely friends I met in St Louis....and we are going to continue our creative journey with fun, laughter, teaching, loving, talking and more!!! I cannot wait to reconnect with everyone!!!!!

Erin, Muja and Jane..........let's do this!!!!!

HIGHLIGHTS from St. Louis!

I have spent a lot of time working these past weeks and months...that I needed to stop and also share the HUGE event that happened in April!!!!!  I went to a huge photography experience to learn, grow, receive and create.  There is something about being around people that truly care for your future and who you are as a person and artist.  I was fully encouraged and EXHAUSTED when i got home! ahahah!!!!  I wanted to show you some of my personal highlights of the event in pictures....

I will highlight some CITY pictures in another post!  These are some of the creative images we made while at our workshops, pods and sections where we tinkered with lighting and styling of various kinds.  Thanks to ERIN who was an amazing coordinator and model for all of us to work with.  And of course, EVERYONE involved at After Dark.

ENJOY!

The amazing Jane! - took her through LOTS of images and stylings! - The anime eyes was my idea!

The enrapturing Erin! from day 1 - it was ON!

Some fun things WE all did at AD. :)  It is a group thing, not a ME thing.

The amazing styling and concepts of Brian Demint - and we got to be a part of it!

I call this Anime Eyes meets HUNGER GAMES! :)

Angela was a little chameleon! Soft and classic one moment, and lil zombie girl the next!

 I'll post BONUS images later....I had a GREAT personal day as well!!!! It wasn't just all work work work!!!!! WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!