The Visionaries

I have been inspired by visionary art since my introduction to the aya ceremonies several years ago and have recently been attending visionary arts festivals. My first experience was with Gratifly, where my friend Jeff Wood introduced me to a few of the brightest new up and coming artists in the genre. This is where I first met Bonnie Goodson, a very kind spirit whom Jeff says was already a master painter by the age of 19. It was Bonnie and her total welcoming attitude that convinced me to come to, Rootwire. the festival that seemed to spark this new trend. My contribution would be as it was at Gratifly, to offer henna and body art as a gift to the festival attendees, bringing joy and inspiration to them just as the other visionary artists did for all of us.

It took a lot of trust for me to attend because in order to do so I would have to step completely out of my comfort zone to travel there early with a group half my age that I didn't know and then be with them for 10 days through the setup and break down of the Vision Lab.  But something in me kept repeating that it was an experience that I needed to have, and I had to listen to it.

Keegan was the director of this operation and if it weren't for his generosity and openness to having me join them, I may not have made the effort.

The experience was incredibly challenging and at the same time truly inspiring and enlightening. It was a creative experience that I had been seeking for a long time and it introduced me to a new group of people who were on a consciousness level that is rare to find, one that truly cares about the earth and the progress of humanity.  

Visionary Art by Jeff Wood

Visionary Art by Bonnie Goodson

Visionary Art by Crystal Eyes

One of the most inspiring aspects of these festivals is seeing the number of artists that come to paint together for the night shows, sometimes up to 30 or more. 

Bonnie Goodson, showing off her new henna and always with a beautiful smile

The Visionary Body Art that I was inspired to create

Me and my dear friend and fellow henna artist Krystalyn standing in front of a Mark Henson giclee. Henson's work is highly acclaimed, often with a political message involved. You will want to take a closer look at his art if you have any interest in this culture.

Paper bag replicas of that which often inspires the visionaries. I found them one night while walking in the woods. 

Some of the fantastical art installations that can be found at a visionary arts festival. I was very inspired to see so much of this, a change from the festivals I am used to working at.

You will find many types of classes and workshops at one of these festivals. Among my favorites at Rootwire were Yoga (of course), Cacao Tea Time with Astor, Quantum Spirituality with Nicholas Nebula and anything on sustainability. 

The Creatrix Temple held numerous workshops and was a fantastic piece of woodwork art itself. I was honored to inadvertently be asked to create this henna style design which was painted on their steeple. 

And of course you will find tons of performing artists sharing their talents at a visionary arts festival. Here is my friend Aurora, embodying a sun god and performing with Ka Amorastraya for the first time. Ka's wings are made only with cruelty-free feathers. 

Here we are putting together the geodesic dome for the Vision Lab which you can see assembles as a dome just above. Vision Lab is Keegan's project which sells reproductions of visionary art from artists all over the US. It is the artwork of these artists that inspire these festivals and are the main attraction. 

And here was my favorite art installation created by Joy Fully. She macramed all of these webs for many hours before coming to the festival and then created this installation along one of the paths. She told me to look inside this box and you will see the most beautiful thing you have ever seen. Inside was a mirror with my face in it. It was a poignant way to share a sweet message through art.