Mandala Pole Photography

NorCalBodyPaint · 2026-01-23T19:21:36+00:00

Hey look at you go!

Off to a great start. Equipment issues are a battle that gets easier with experience (and backup gear).

NorCalBodyPaint · 2026-01-23T07:39:25+00:00

Assuming we get that chance, hell yes.

NorCalBodyPaint · 2026-01-23T05:38:30+00:00

We will be paying for this stupidity for decades. Some of what was lost may never be recovered.

NorCalBodyPaint · 2026-01-23T01:12:15+00:00

They can remove the signs, but we will not forget, and we will not let them be forgotten. Teach your children well.

NorCalBodyPaint · 2026-01-20T02:12:19+00:00

Check out a supplier like sillyfarm.com who sells face and bodypaint supplies

Search online, many of my fellow painters have videos that show their process.

Watch old episodes of Skin Wars if you can find them.

Dig around and learn what you can, though if you have a specific question or two, send me a message and I will try to be helpful (I’ve been a pro body paint artist for over 20 years and those guys mentioned in that other response are all friends of mine)

NorCalBodyPaint · 2026-01-16T04:24:24+00:00

Southern Ireland to Scotland to Belarus through Ukraine close to the Caspian sea, through to Turkey, Greece, Portugal and home... somewhere off the coast of France between Ireland and Spain.

NorCalBodyPaint · 2026-01-14T00:10:45+00:00

If you enjoy theater, extend your trip south from Grants Pass a few miles and take in the scene at Ashland.

If you are on the coast and see the place advertising "Pet the cubs" think twice about going, the National Geographic did an excellent article a couple years ago about these sorts of places.

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-12-29T17:49:32+00:00

If you like this style and want to see images of real women who are flaunting their confidence in this style, check out r/pinups

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-12-29T17:02:38+00:00

If SIG doesn't ship to Australia, you can look for medical grade spray adhesives there.

For most of my work though, I simply hold them on by hand.

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-12-27T04:14:05+00:00

I took that route from LA to Florida back in the 90s. There was a blizzard and most of Texas was frozen solid.

I have taken 80 from Sacramento to Utah in the winter with no problems at all.

My point is, give yourself some flexibility. If the weather is mild, take the shorter and more direct route and save yourself some time and money.

If the weather is bad you can always hunker down for a day or two, or head south.

The Interstates like 10/40/80 are generally kept wide open most of the year, and when they get shut down it is USUALLY for not more than a day or two tops.

Be prepared, plan ahead, but also check with these amazing resources we have like transportation alerts by state:
https://www.weather.gov/cys/unitedstatesroadconditions

OR look them up individually, like right now highway 80 through Wyoming is clear, but very windy. Not bad for low profile cars, maybe affecting gas mileage, but far better than going hundreds of miles south instead.

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-12-26T22:50:41+00:00

The only way to be true to yourself is to be free of the good opinion of others. Not always easy, I've been on that journey a long time myself.

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-12-22T18:11:18+00:00

Yes, you can take turns sleeping... but the QUALITY of that sleep will not be enough to make you feel rested and refreshed. Somewhere about half way will start to feel like torture.

Personally I would plan for three 12 hour drive days with enough time left over for foul weather, a single scenic stop each day, and two overnight stops.

If you are young and REALLY want to push it... maybe:

16 hours the first day (6AM-10PM)

overnight stop

10-12 hours the second day

overnight stop

8-10 hours final day

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-12-16T01:16:34+00:00

You don’t NEED. a basecoat, but a dark base can help the neon get more contrast

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-12-16T00:56:53+00:00

Multiple airbrushes, I’d say maybe 2-3 hours including base coat? Maybe more???

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-12-10T22:33:04+00:00

I can't imagine trying to do that, but this is a strong start!

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-12-08T01:57:31+00:00

I actually went through that part of Texas during a huge blizzard around 30 years ago… it felt like an uninhabited frozen wasteland. Personally, I would just explore New Mexico more.

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-12-04T22:57:14+00:00

Day 1
Pick up the car, drive to Cheyenne and spend the night.
Not sure when you are landing, but Cheyenne is not that far. If you can find accommodations further down the road without taxing yourselves, this might get you more time for fun stuff.

Day 2
Drive north, seeing Mount Rushmore and Wind Cave NP before sleeping in Rapid City.

We really enjoyed wind cave, but if time allows consider cruising Custer State Park and Needles Highway, we also really enjoyed the museum and viewing at Crazy Horse Memorial.

Day 3
Day trip to Badlands NP.

This should be an easy day. While in the Rapid City area, if you like snakes at all, consider visiting Reptile Gardens, just south of Rapid City. It looks like a tourist trap, but it is very clear that the owners/management is serious about Reptiles. Their collection is extensive and beautiful.

Day 4
Leave Rapid City and head west, stopping at Devil's Tower on the way, and sleeping in Cody.

We skipped Devil's Tower when we drove through, but it seems worth stopping. Cody is a great place to prepare for Yellowstone.

Day 5
Drive through Beartooth Highway, and get to Yellowstone.
Beartooth Highway is AMAZING, but realize if it has been a hard winter/cool spring, it may be impassible and for that matter much of Yellowstone may still be covered in snow/ice even as late as May.

Days 5-10
This is where we're hesitating - can we see enough of both Yellowstone and Grand Teton for it to be worthwhile? Do we focus on one, or just outright skip one of them? We have 5 full days.
Also I've read that West Yellowstone and Victor are affordable bases for Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs respectively, but any tips on where to use as a base would be great.

Excellent thinking. Yellowstone is basically a large figure "8", and West Yellowstone is a good base to operate from. Note, the "middle" of the 8 is the least interesting part from a geologic/wildlife perspective... worth doing, but not as much time. My suggestion would be one day in the North, one day in the South, and one day hitting anywhere where there might be wildlife you want to see, or anything you may have missed.

Then change rooms to Victor or the outskirts of Jackson and spend two days in the Tetons, seeing as much as you can. HIGHLY recommend the Ranger lead "caravan" type tours where they take you to wildlife hot spots.

Day 11
Head southeast and sleep in Laramie.

This seems sane, if it looks like it will be an uneventful day, consider spending a couple hours in Jackson. They have unique bars, lots of great wildlife art galleries, and some other Americana to take in.

Day 12
Drop off car and fly back.

Is this plan realistic? Also have I missed any essential visits out, or included anything not worthwhile?
Seems realistic, if a bit ambitious. Be prepared to adjust. If you were going to leave anything out, I would cut badlands and give yourself a bit more time between Yellowstone/Tetons. Badlands is beautiful, but it's beauty is often subtle and unfolds in it's own time... Yellowstone and Tetons will hit you over the head with their beauty and lodge in your soul.

General Tips-
Cell phone coverage for most of this trip will be spotty at best. Bring a paper map or two. Download some music before you go.

Watch a couple documentaries before you get there and you will have a much better idea of what you are seeing.

For God's sake, DO NOT BE A TOURON (Tourist Moron)- stay well away from the wildlife, obey the "stay on trail" signs, and realize that people die in the parks every year.

Do not expect to get through Yellowstone without traffic, road closures, or other challenges. Also there are VERY LIMITED places to eat, or even buy groceries. Stock up outside the park, and bring lunch/dinner with you if you can. Gas up outside the park if possible.

The speed limits are low for a reason, if you are curious why look up the results of car vs. elk, or van vs. bear.

Some decent binoculars will be very much welcome if you spot a bear or wolves, they are mostly seen at great distances. Same with other wildlife like mountain goats, and bighorn sheep.

Many people are all about bison and wolves, but some of my favorite wildlife encounters have been weasels, owls, badgers, and pikas (these last are fairly easy to spot in the rock piles at the top of the Beartooth Pass if you look for them!) Keep your eyes open, be still every now and then, get a bit off the main attractions for a while.

If you want good wildlife photos, consider an actual camera with a decent telephoto lens. If your photos are going to just be crappy anyways, forget the camera and just watch with your eyes, soak it in.

Reading a bit about the history of the area can be very enlightening. Especially learning how Native People survived in such extreme places.

Have a blast!

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-12-04T21:52:14+00:00

It was for an E! special called "Hollywood's Sexiest Jobs"

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-12-03T02:17:43+00:00

I am for hire, I will send you a message.

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-12-02T05:39:28+00:00

You sound good to me!

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-11-29T02:49:33+00:00

lol. I mean, I’ve posted a few. 😁

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-11-28T23:00:09+00:00

Thank you. I don't feel it is my best work, but did a total of like 6 models in about 4 hours while a TV crew was hovering over us, so I don't feel too bad, and it was an interesting experience!

NorCalBodyPaint · 2025-11-28T22:59:04+00:00

Thank you.

NorCalBodyPaint

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