Vonetta Berry aka Goddess Inkwell has talent in droves that draws people to her. She began painting on skin at age 12 for a birthday party, she carried on through high school, was featured at Six Flags, graduated from the Art Institute in Chicago with a BFA in Illustration and Animation, and was even the recipient of 2nd place honors in the MFAH CityWide African American Artist Awards of 2012. She decided to pursue full Body Art when she became pregnant with her first child.
Goddess Inkwell’s paintings tie into kink life through a series of Kitterflies and Caterpenises which emerged from Erotic body painting events she’s held in kink spaces. She sees body painting as a sensually sadistic process during which the painter and the painted dance an S&M tango. As a Domme, she enjoys the reaction she gets from painting a restrained body, and she offers Painted Taints as a specialized service for deserving submissives.
A full body painting usually takes about 4-8 hours depending on details and the crew she has with her. A few human canvases have become repeat volunteers because they love the feeling and the exhibition, and yes, she even has had clients orgasm. Aspiring canvases must be comfortable being nude and in paint. Those who hire her get to choose what is painted on them, but volunteers are under Goddess’ thumb.
Goddess Inkwell has some advice for those seeking to become body painters: “Practice, practice, practice,” she says, “and document your own practice.” Additionally, she suggests joining face and body painting meetup and Facebook groups to share ideas. Because acrylic feels awful on the skin and cracks a lot, she advocates the use of body safe makeup for body painting. “Practicing on a variety of bodies, sizes, shapes, complexions, shades, and gender expressions is important,” she advises. “It will open the mind to creative solutions and will help budding artists master the medium sooner. Not to mention, they will shine in a sea of less versatile body artists.”
If you see any of the Goddess’ creations please take the time to enjoy and explore them but always remember to ask permission to touch first. You can contact Goddess Inkwell at abcbodyart.com.
Goddess Inkwell 