I've been looking at a variety of masks from around the globe as part of a little personal project to keep me busy and painting.... Today I recreated a wooden helmet mask from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, made by the Bakuba tribe. The Bakuba integrate art into their everyday lives and are considered to be among the most artistic people of the Congo - unlike some tribes in the region they do not reserve arts for the higher standing or more privileged members of the tribe...nice to know!

Mexican art is AMAZING! Bold use of bright contrasting colours, striking patterns and an almost crude, cartoon-like quality work together to draw in and excite the eyes. After stocking up on some nice colourful palettes at the IMATS last weekend (massive thanks to the Face Paint Shop & Scotty's) I decided to put them to use on some Aztec inspired paintings. The first I did on my lovely friend Claire who runs Pixie Nomad's - using strong colours with emphasis on the golds and turquoises that featured so prominently in ancient Mexico. The second piece I did on myself  for lack of a model - and is a recreation of an amazing turquoise Aztec mask that I came across in the British Museum a few years ago.  It was a really fun painting to do and has inspired me to do a series following the same theme...watch this space!!