North Coast Music Festival

I wanted to publish some of my favorite memories from North Coast Music Festival with the end of festival season in sight. I’m grateful to be a part of Chicago’s artistic community and to witness the rise of many talented friends and peers, which many times happens through collaboration in the festival scene.

A huge thanks to Bam Creates for having me as a part of their core team, which has elevated experiences across Chicago music festivals and other events all summer long. Bam and I have executed some awe-inspiring concepts across the years with the 2018 North Coast installation being our largest collaboration to date. Saturday's concept, “CirQue Du Bam,” consisted of misfit carnival characters. The video below highlight's these misfits, or carnival freaks, and the installation built by Bam Creates, which was located at the festival's entrance.

Joe Quade, President at Bam Creates, and Nino Boss, Mood Director, approached me about painting an installation consisting of fully body painted characters. They showed me work from an amazing artist, Alexa Meade, for inspiration. Little did they know, I was already a fan of her work. I was able to create something special with the help of my assistant Rachel Stiles. I painted a 70’s, funky style living room area complete with accessories. I’m so happy having collaborated with this crew bringing Meade's inspired concept to life.

All weekend I had a glam squad set up in a tent, near the painted installation, offering glitter, gems, and body paint to festival babes.

Video by JV Studios

In progress installation painting photos by Gunnar Curry