Rising Stars: Meet Caren Chroma of Studio City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caren Chroma.

Hi Caren, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My personal journey with body paint started in 2010, when I began to experiment painting on myself and noticed an internal shift in the way it made me feel. Growing up, I struggled with body image, as I moved to the states from Germany during my most awkward, young teen ears. I remember being so hard on myself because I was such a late bloomer and all I wanted was to fit in with the rest of my peers. Eventually, I turned to art as a refuge, and found a place where I could truly be my unique self without trying to ‘fit in’. Playing with body paint and seeing myself as a creative canvas allowed me to drop into a meditative flow state, connect with my weird, creative self & over the years, mark my personal evolution through paint & photography.

This practice naturally evolved as I started sharing it with friends/people at creative gatherings, festivals & events, which were the initial steps that eventually led to my one-on-one body paint offerings (aka Chroma Sessions). The more I shared body paint, the more I noticed how it made people light up from the inside when they gazed at their reflection after being painted ~ like they were witnessing their true magical nature for the first time.

This soon became my “WHY” because to me, there is nothing more sacred than living life in human form, and I believe it can be easy to take for granted with all the distractions in our world. The intention behind my artistry is to help anchor in a sense of gratitude to those who receive and to create a memorable way to celebrate life, whether it marks a meaningful passage (birthday, marriage, pregnancy, etc) or simply as a self love ritual.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Yes & No. After 15 plus years of pursuing this path as an intentional body painter, I look back at my journey and am amazed at how far this art has brought me since those very first brushstrokes. I am a firm believer that when we follow our heart of heart’s calling, then life has a tendency to re-arrange itself in our favor. From my experience, I have seen the rewards from staying present, consistent, open and curious about where the path will lead.

Naturally, even on smooth roads, there can be unexpected blockages or detours.. so I would be lying if I said it ALWAYS feels like cruising over rainbow bridges. Personally, I notice the biggest struggles can come up when old patterns of self-doubt creep in. We live in a society that doesn’t necessarily encourage artists to thrive (though I think that is slowly shifting), so it takes a lot of Courage, Will Power, & Determination to choose a path that isn’t necessarily the ‘safe & tested’ route.

I think Artists in today’s world have one of the most demanding & challenging jobs because of how many hats are expected to keep the ball rolling. Between managing, promoting, showing up on social media, staying creative on how to make an income with offerings & products, etc……. IT’S ALOT. Finding a way to balance work, living a healthy life, and keeping the creative spark alive is something that takes trial and error to find the sweet spot.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My specialty and what I am most known for (I think) is Body Paint Adornment and the way I fuse intention, ritual, and ceremony into the process. Though I am a multi-faceted creative~ I love to paint, photograph, create videos, write, dance, ritualize, and find new ways to express myself as I grow~ body painting is the practice I have dedicated most time and energy into.

I offer 1:1 body paint ceremonies (aka Chroma Sessions), teach ritual body paint workshops, & adorn people for events, healing retreats, & special creative projects. In every setting, my goal is to allow the body paint to be a medium that elevates each person it touches & serves as a reminder that we are all living-breathing masterpieces worthy of being witnessed & celebrated through art.

I am passionate about creating nourishing, sacred spaces that allow people to relax, receive, be themselves, and have their beauty reflected back to them through art. I honestly don’t know how to explain exactly how it works, but it’s almost as if the art has a consciousness of its own, and organically forms to match the energy of whoever is getting painted. Through trust, presence & deep listening, a creative circuit is created between my brush and the person on the receiving end.

Body paint is a way to artistically mark important chapters in life. We all go through transformations, deaths, & rebirths, and yet there are few ways taught in our modern culture to ritualize these meaningful moments. I love to offer a space that honors and acknowledges these thresholds, while co-creating an artistic ceremony. People usually leave feeling uplifted, centered, & empowered, while having a lived experience of becoming ART. They are also gifted images that encapsulate the energy embodied during the session, which can continue to be a reference point & reminder of their beauty for years to come.

I am proud that my artistry & body paint practice nurtures a deeper sense of self-love, acceptance, compassion and reverence for natural beauty in all its forms~ something I feel more people could benefit from. In a world where we are constantly force-fed commercials & subliminal messaging around unattainable beauty standards/superficial values, I see my art as a healing antidote. I truly believe that if more people learned to love and respect themselves, then there would be a profound ripple effect in the way we treat each other and the planet.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I’d say, JUMP IN!
Allow yourself to play, have fun, experiment & remember.. Nothing is permanent –
(Another powerful reminder that body painting teaches us).
I personally feel that the best practice you can get is on yourself.
We each have such a unique way of seeing the world and one of my biggest pieces of advice is to trust your own voice and timing. Try to not outsource so much and flood your system with external voices. Put in the time, energy and love into whatever is calling you and let it unfold naturally.
Of course, when it comes to technique and inspiration, find artists that you resonate with and see what they are up to without getting caught up in comparisons. You are Enough.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.carenchroma.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/carenchroma
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carenchroma/

Image Credits
Emily June
Andre Duqum
Amir Magal
Melissa Robin