Saturday, January 19, 2008

Carnival masking? Body paint artist Neecee Blackwell serves Shreveport krewes and the public with face paint team

Mardi Gras festivals, events and parades call for masking. It's one of the most primal elements of Carnival.

The world of masks brings a cornucopia of choices. Historic Venetian style? Feathered mask that will fit around your eye glasses? Giant papier mache skull? Many partiers appreciate the simplicity and imaginative look of a painted mask.

Among the best-known and most active of Carnival face painters is Neecee Blackwell of www.facezfacepainting.com and
www.crookedtreegraphics.com
.

The year Blackwell and associates will be everywhere on the carnival scene. For the Krewe of Centaur (Sat, Jan 26) and Gemini parades (Sat, Feb 2) she opens shop at Marshall & Associates, 819 Shreveport-Barksdale Hwy (near Picadilly Restaurant), at 10 am.

During the Krewe of Barkus & Meoux (Sat, Jan 27) she'll be at Riverview Park, near the fountains, at 11 am. There will be 2 locations for the area's biggest parade, the Krewe of Highland, which is Sun, Feb 3: under the portico at Byrd HS gym and at Columbia Park for the post-parade party.

Facez paints half a visage for $5 and the whole mug for $10 or more, depending on design. If the weather and your wallet cooperate, Blackwell can create a trompe l'oeil on your torso. "We have trained for years at the Face & Body Art International Competition and are facepainters for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines."

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