Henna Huddle London, UK

Last month I had the absolute pleasure of attending Henna Huddle in London to focus on my creative passion (or at least one of them).  The whole event was inspiring and even though I was completely exhausted from traveling for 36+ hours to get there, I enjoyed every lecture offered!  I obviously can't share the workbook from the conference but I am sharing all my notes and doodles below.  I learned so much, and was fascinated with all the teachers, their background and their techniques.  All I want to do is draw on people for the next few months.  Make sure you're following my photography instagram account to see when I'm hosting model calls, because duh I need bodies!  Anyway, here's a glimpse at the conference, with mostly iphone images.

First class complete with flight hangover in full effect.  hi puffy eyes. 

Grids.

Outside of the mandala, circle inspired imagery.

wonky moon because hands are hard to work in the morning. 

a few of my new favorite techniques.

practically clear jagua when first removed.

hours later and it's pitch black!

another layer of henna to fill in some scorp spots.

on top. 

mature stain next day.

Day Two.

Passion Flower attempt.

More classic Indian Motifs featuring Ganesh placer (and remover) of obstacles.

Practice from Rose Mendi's Class

Swan swirls. 

Gifted henna from a new friend.

And the stain from her practice.  Elephant form Shasta Jamal's notes. 

The whole group of Henna artists. 

Forever grateful for the creative opportunities I've received in this life.  As I reflect I realize the path that led me here and I think it's interesting enough to share.  When we were planning on having kids a close friend suggested a home birth.  After researching it, we decided it was the right fit for our family.  The midwife I chose was all about community.  The women in my life that are the MOST influential to me stem from the connections she wove.  One of which was a friend learning henna herself.  For my 30th birthday she adorned guests with henna, but not everyone received it because of timing, so she left me a few cones.  I was obsessed with the practice.  I purchased cones from an artist in Las Vegas who included a flier to Henna Con - a conference I now attend every year.  She also was the artist who shared about Henna Huddle in London. Just think, if I didn't have a home birth with my first daughter I would never have ended up here.  like woah, the choices we make have a bigger ripple effect we ever could imagine. 

     

Henna in Hawaii

When we were in Kauai this summer, we met up with a fellow henna artist and she took us to some beautiful waterfalls, I'm so happy we worked through our weird scheduling issues and meeting random strangers off the internet with my kids, but I guess that's how the world works these days.  Anyway, we had the most amazing adventure and found natural treasures while adorning each other and the kiddos in the waterfalls. 

passion fruit flower

a found feather.

running water.

natural treasures.

exploring.

alters.

vines.

change.

foraged.

natural shampoo from the ginger flower.

mother + daughter. by kauai henna.

little jagua hibiscus.

gifts for friends to find.

hibiscus sea turtle.

my first jagua leaf, promptly washed off in the waterfall.

painted rock by the kiddos.

My design on Kauai henna.

can you see the faint color change where the jagua will be black?

// Resilience. 

Thanks again to Kauai Henna for taking us exploring and showing us the secret spots in Kauai to find magic. Until we're there next time, know that I believe henna is pure magic and the connections and memories it creates last for a lifetime.