"If we were to play the word association game and you said to me "Monty," I would reply, "Magic."
Hayley Merchant - United States
" Experiencing the Bahamas with Monty and becoming a nymph were the absolute best parts of my year.
Radha Hilery - Dubai / Unites States
"I was able to learn what it meant to be and feel like a beautiful, established, confident woman"
Adeline Forbes - USA
"...when I met Monty it was a meeting that totally changed my life!"
Mona Hagen - Norway
"I had a unique and life changing positive experience with Monty Knowles in the Bahamas"
Shannon Kringen - USA
"I strongly recommend that every woman have an experience like this at least once in her life"
Angela Christine - USA
"He has a talent in making you feel comfortable, safe and beautiful."
Kristin Pedersen - Norway
"I stand taller, feel more confident....and most importantly I don't care what anyone else thinks because I know I'm beautiful"
Madison Moore _ Canada - 13 years old
"I truly believe that any teenage girl, with all the pressures of today's society to look and act a certain way could definitely benefit from a photo shoot such as this one with Monty"
Madison's Mother, Karen Brochu - Canada
"Når jeg fikk se et av de første bildene etter fotograferingen måtte jeg spørre om det virkelig var meg på bildet, det var helt fantastisk, alle fargene, øynene og alt var bare utrolig vakkert, og det kaller jeg kunst fra fotografen!"
"When I saw one of the first photos from the shoot, I had to ask myself if that was really me on the photos. It was absolutely amazing. All the colors, eyes, everything was stunningly beautiful. This was what I call art from the photographer.
Cathrine Elise Gundersen - Norway
"Les séances photo avec Monty relèvent d'une excellente thérapie en Estime de Soi."
"Photo shoots with Monty are just exquisite : more than an Art, it was for me, a therapy. I have learnt to discover my real face through Monty's lens. All the beauty that can arise while all (mis)judgements and (mis)beliefs are set aside. An experience I shall highly recommend, especially to any shy or introvert person. It is THE trip leading to oneself's full discovery!"
Nirina - France
"This is what you do best Monty! Make us ladies look awesome in the true natural essence of who we are ... You're a genius at that actually."
Paola Alvino _Bahamas
Monty er enormt fed at arbejde med, han er et dejligt menneske med en utrolig kreativitet - og jeg vil til enhver tid anbefale andre at arbejde med ham, jeg håber meget jeg selv får muligheden igen!
Viola Dasseville_Denmark
Unabbreviated Testimonials:
Hayley Merchant - United States
If we were to play the word association game and you said to me "Monty," I would reply, "Magic."
Magic is what he holds in the space for you to draw up and bring out in yourself. No pressure, no judgment, just plenty of curiosity and lightheartedness which are the gifts you take away that can't be captured on camera but live on in the memory of the experience.
Monty,
You gave the Bella crew, and the men we love, an opportunity to be raw with ourselves and each other and I feel our bonds have been made stronger because of it. I feel I have awakened to a deeper capacity to care for myself and see myself as a thing of beauty. I started with you feeling fairly comfortable in my own skin, and now, I feel more alive in it. Comfort is great, but alive.... alive is something I can really do something with, I can move more freely in. I can feel my magic when I feel this alive!
Adeline Forbes _United States
"I also was able to learn what it meant to be and feel like a beautiful, established, confident woman"
In desperate need of a vacation my girlfriend Angela and I decided to escape Washington, DC and take a short four day trip to the Bahamas. Having previously worked with Monty the year before, Angela showed me Monty's beautiful work and recommended that we both return to be photographed. I was sold from the minute I heard about her amazing experience and saw his work.
A total professional with immense respect for the female form, Monty immediately asked us about our interests, our relative comfort levels while being photographed, and what type of photos we were looking to take and why. While Monty did in fact take some of the most amazing, beautiful and artistic photos I’ve ever seen, it was truly the experience of working with him and the discovery of what it means to be beautiful that I value most from that trip.
When posing for the camera, Monty challenged me to let go of societal norms and preexisting concepts and standards of what I thought it meant to be beautiful, i.e. makeup, great clothes, size zero, etc. and challenged me instead to find and channel my own inner beauty from a very natural and raw space by focusing on self love and confidence, as well as relaxation. In doing so it turns out, not only did I end up taking great photos, but I also was able to learn what it meant to be and feel like a beautiful, established, confident woman-- and more importantly, on my own terms. Monty is by far one of the most professional, creative, and talented artists I've ever met and worked with and he has a rare gift of being able to use his camera to not only capture someone's physical beauty, but also their inner beauty and soul.
Madison Moore - Canada - 13 years old
"I stand taller, feel more confident....and most importantly I don't care what anyone else thinks because I know I'm beautiful"
On a trip to San Salvador Bahamas with my mother and my brother, I met Monty through a close friend. While having dinner, in my typical slouched posture and constantly playing with my hair, he was able to see beyond the self-conscious little girl that I was. He offered to photograph me in a very natural state. I agreed and was very excited.
During the photo shoot, Monty kept telling me to flip my hair and let loose, so that's what I did. I didn't wear any makeup and didn't fix my hair yet Monty made me feel very comfortable and beautiful. He brought out things in myself that I had never realized before. When I got to see the actual photos, I was amazed at how beautiful I looked, almost like a girl in a magazine, especially because I had no make-up or anything and wasn't photo shopped.
Since then, I stand taller, feel more confident, I let my hair loose and most importantly I don't care what anyone else thinks because I know I'm beautiful. Thank you Monty :)
From Madison's mother:
I truly believe that any teenage girl, with all the pressures of today's society to look and act a certain way could definitely benefit from a photo shoot such as this one with Monty
While on a recent visit to San Salvador, our favorite place in the Bahamas, we were introduced to Monty by a good friend. I was with my son Michael, fifteen and my daughter Madison, thirteen. Although my initial impression of Monty was an articulate, slightly eccentric artist who happens to be an amazing photographer, I was very quickly impressed by the ease with which he conversed with teenagers, engaging them as equals rather than kids. They both warmed up to him immediately and we enjoyed a lovely evening among friends.
During dinner Monty remarked upon Madison’s self-conscious gestures and attitude such as crossing her arms in front of her to hide her belly, constantly tugging at her hair and most importantly her slouched shoulders. He suggested a photo shoot with Madison to help her see her own natural beauty. He insisted that his subjects are to be very natural with no make-up nor hairstyling and seeing as how I very rarely wear make-up myself and am hoping to instil that in Madison, I thought it was a great idea.
She was very excited at the prospect, I think most 13 year old girls would be :) Before actually agreeing to it I spoke to my husband, who was not with us on vacation at the time, and although he was slightly hesitant at first because he wasn't there to meet Monty himself, he trusted my instinct and gave his okay. During the shoot, I remained at a respectable distance in order to observe while at the same time allowing Maddy to be comfortable without her "mom" hovering. After a bit of time I was very pleased with the professionalism Monty portrayed while photographing my daughter. Speaking to her kindly, gently guiding her verbally in posture and stance and just as importantly making her laugh and putting her at ease. I found myself relaxing more because I was confident that she was in good hands.
By the end, she was laughing and speaking to him like a long lost friend. He continued to pleasantly surprise me throughout the weekend by giving both my children sound advice regarding posture and confidence, advice that they both listened to intently and have actually enforced here at home since. She rarely slouches anymore and on the odd occasion when I do catch her, I give her a gentle reminder and she quickly adjusts her stance with no rolling of her eyes and actually a thank you for the reminder.
Typical to a 13 year old, her hair can still be a bit of an issue with her however she is much more carefree about it since the shoot and has realized that the less she fusses and instead just shakes it out, the better it is. I truly believe that any teenage girl, with all the pressures of today's society to look and act a certain way could definitely benefit from a photo shoot such as this one with Monty. Madison certainly did! The entire experience was truly wonderful because we came away from it with so many positive memories, amazing photos and for Madison a new outlook on how she sees herself.. :) And as an added bonus, we gained a friend...
See you again soon Monty :)
Karen Brochu, Senneville, Qc
Hilery Radha _Dubai / United States
"Experiencing the Bahamas with Monty and becoming a nymph were the absolute best parts of my year"
I remember my first nymph experience with Monty and it brings a smile to my face. I was so nervous and although I had met Monty before, we had never actually really spoken. Our time together flew by and the photo shoot was a blast. For the first time in my life I felt beautiful. In fact I traveled back to the Bahamas again and again for more nymph experiences and truly can't wait for the next one.
I deeply admire Monty himself and the masterpieces he creates - there is something that happens when you combine the paint, the photography and him together that is magical. When your clothes are gone, the design is finished and you have his caring and thoughtful demeanor encouraging and guiding you - a whole different side of you comes out and your inner light shines through.
He is truly gifted - not only with the art he creates, the photographs he takes but by the magic he brings out of you, the self confidence he gives you is a gift you cannot begin to imagine. Experiencing the Bahamas with
Monty and b
ecoming a nymph were the absolute best parts of my year, I am forever grateful!
Mona Hagen _ Norway
"...When I met Monty it was a meeting that totally changed my life!"
During my first year of childhood, I got a permanent damage to my right eye, form a vaccine, and because of that I have always only had one working eye. And because of my look I had always preferred to stay behind a camera instead of in front of it.
But when I met Monty it was a meeting that totally changed my life!
I met Monty through my boyfriend’s sister in the summer of 2012. Monty had planned several photo shoots, and during the summer I was so lucky to be photographed three times. At first I thought it was going to be weird, to be naked, painted and photographed by (at the first time) a stranger. But it was an incredible funny experience! And the painting feels amazing on the body, it almost like a spa-day (if you ignore the standing-for-several-hours-thing).
Monty is a very honest person, so when he says something you know that he means it. So when he gives you complement, (or things you have to work with) you know that he means it in the best way.
During the shoots I learn so much about my body and face. I remember the first time, I said: “I really can’t ANYTHING about posing”. Then Monty laughed and said “Then you are perfect”
He showed and directed me in how to stretch and bend my body so it looks amazing! And all of the time Monty did his best to make me laugh and relax, and I did! I have never felt so comfortable and relaxed being sort of naked and photographed. Monty is really a fantastic, funny, down to earth, honest person, who sees through what you see in the mirror and show the rest of the world and yourself what that you can be a beautiful piece of art!
Cathrine Elise Gundersen - Norway
Når jeg fikk se et av de første bildene etter fotograferingen måtte jeg spørre om det virkelig var meg på bildet, det var helt fantastisk, alle fargene, øynene og alt var bare utrolig vakkert, og det kaller jeg kunst fra fotografen!"
Jeg møtte Monty for første gang sommeren 2012 da han og Kristin skulle åpne et Galleri i Lofoten. En venninne som kjente han spurte om jeg ville være med å servere mat og drikke på galleriåpningen, samt bli malt i ansiktet å ned til brystet før serveringen. Jeg syntes dette hørtes kjempe spennende ut og takket selvfølgelig ja. Noe jeg ikke angrer på et sekund!
Jeg og Monty kom også på 2 sider i lokalavisen vår – Lofotposten. Det å få all oppmerksomheten under malingen og serveringen var veldig gøy.
Etter servering å en liten ”Photoshoot” med de andre venninnene mine som var med på serveringen ble jeg og Monty enig om at vi skulle ta en helkropps fotografering. Dette syntes jeg var litt skummelt, siden jeg ikke er så glad i å vise kroppen min frem, å hvertfall ikke naken. Men Monty fikk meg til å føle meg komfortabel med meg selv og kroppen min. Til tross for mange timer hvor jeg måtte stå for å bli malt på hele kroppen og en iskald fotografering en sen sommerkveld ble jeg veldig fornøyd med resultatet. Monty er en utrolig flink fotograf som veileder og får deg til å føle deg vakker og får deg til å smile gjennom hele fotograferingen, så noe modell trenger du ikke være. Når jeg fikk se et av de første bildene etter fotograferingen måtte jeg spørre om det virkelig var meg på bildet, det var helt fantastisk, alle fargene, øynene og alt var bare utrolig vakkert, og det kaller jeg kunst fra fotografen! Jeg ble rett og slett stolt.
Når venner har sett bildene mine har jeg fått mye skryt av hvor pene de er, men det er Monty som skal ha skryten siden han viser stor lidenskap for sin jobb som fotograf og innen kunst. Jeg personlig synes jeg har vært heldig som har fått være med som modell, ikke bare en gang, men flere, og synes det er utrolig gøy å ønsker å være med på flere fotograferinger. Jeg vil takke Monty for muligheten jeg har fått med å være modell for han og anbefaler alle som ønsker å prøve det! Ikke bli skremt bort når du hører at ”shooten” er naken, for malingen du får på deg føles som en drakt, og kroppsdelene vises ikke noe spesielt, det er en del av kunsten. Monty er et fantastisk menneske, positiv og sprer mye glede med alle rundt seg.
Nirina - France"Les séances photo avec Monty relèvent d'une excellente thérapie en Estime de Soi. D'un tempérament très discret voire timide, introvertie, je viens encourager toutes celles qui sont dans mon cas : vous avez tout à y gagner "
"Photo shoots with Monty are just exquisite : more than an Art, it was for me, merely a therapy."
"I had a unique and life changing positive experience with Monty Knowles in the Bahamas".
I met Monty Knowles online over a year ago via Facebook. We have in common body painting & photography. (Monty paints onto models and I paint onto myself as I am a model, photographer and painter who enjoys creating self portraits) I felt a kinship with his talent as both a photographer and body painter.
I love to travel as much as I love modeling and taking photos. I was delighted when Monty Knowles invited me to visit him in Nassau Bahamas, to be painted and photographed.
I spent a week with him in Nassau for 3 days on his beautiful 46 foot Bertram fishing boat and then another 3 days at the Treasure Cay Resort on Abaco Island.
Monty is also a pilot and has a 4 seater plane. We flew in his plane from Nassau to Abaco Island. I was a little nervous to fly in such a small plane. I immediately felt calm and safe with Monty as the pilot. He has a relaxed, calm, centered way of piloting his plane. He made sure to tell me all the safety precautions, life vest strapped to my waist and emergency gear location, special airplane seat belt straps that buckled us in safe and snug. It was a beautiful relaxing flight both directions and I got some gorgeous photos from the plane.
It was a pleasure on many levels spending time with Monty. He cooked me wonderful healthy meals, we had stimulating conversations about the Bahamas, Photography, Modeling, Nutrition, Health, the importance of being positive and focusing energy on what you want to build up and editing out of your mind things you don't want to have in your life.
Monty is a generous host. A warm, positive person with a great sense of humor and keen intelligence.
He can climb coconut trees barefoot and harvest the wonderful fruits cutting them open and sharing the coconut water and coconut meat.
It was my first time meeting someone from the Bahamas. His family has been there for many generations. He is very friendly with both new people he meets as well as all the local friends he has in the area. Monty has a warmth that emanates from him that I find healing and invigorating.
Being painted by Monty was a sensual experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. He spent 7 hours painting a design on my body from head to toe. We took breaks as needed. He studied the shapes and curves of my body and got to know my personality for a few days before he decided on the color and shapes in his design. He incorporated my favorite hues into the work.
Monty is a demanding photographer to model for, but in a good way. He pushed me to pose in ways to bring out the best of me as a model. He directed me and also gave me freedom to explore some of my ideas in posing. He has a gentle kind voice and yet is very strong and a force of nature. He is focused and driven to take the most amazing photos that he can. Monty was able to capture a side of me I was not fully in touch with. I see a spark in my eyes in the photos he took of me that is transformational. It is a healing and empowering process modeling for Monty.
In addition to the body painting session and photo shoot of me as a “Nymph.” We did photo sessions of me nude and natural with no make up. I was happy to be on the most beautiful colored and textured sand I have ever seen. (A creamy golden white soft textured sand) The aqua blue/green water of the Atlantic Ocean in the Bahamas appeared opalescent to me! The Bahamas is a magical setting for Photography: both natural landscape photography and modeling photography. There are beautiful dragon fly's, lizards and birds singing their tropical songs. The fresh coconuts are delicious.
Monty and I did some spontaneous photo shoots walking along the beach: we each took our own landscape photos mixed with me posing for Monty and me doing self portraits.
We had a particularly fruitful experience when I was taking self portraits in the gorgeous pool at Treasure Cay Resort on Abaco Island. Monty came over with his camera and offered to shoot pics of me with my underwater/waterproof camera. He encouraged me to take off the goggles I was wearing to get better images of my face underwater. He coached me and we ended up getting some gorgeous, unique photos of my face underwater. Then Monty took some stunning photos of me from above the water with his professional camera. He helped me find the best poses and directed me to bring out the most dazzling side of me as a model. My eyes shine in those glorious pool photos.
Monty is good at inspiring others to express freely their most lovely selves. He is technically very good at composing shots and editing on the computer but also very gifted at encouraging the model to challenge herself to be as confident and present as possible in order to get incredible images above and beyond “good photos”. Working with Monty as a model and photographer expanded my skills in both areas. I learned from him. His positive, direct, focused, creative energy is contagious in the most wonderful way.
My more personal take on this experience: “I learned a lot in the Bahamas about focusing energy and being aware of your thoughts and how they literally create reality. I am extremely grateful about connecting with such an amazing, talented unique person who is a lot of like me on a few levels. I learned and saw many things “in the mirror “, so to speak. I consider it a healing, transformative experience modeling and taking photos in the Bahamas. I look forward to going back in 6-12 months and working with Monty Knowles again as well as doing other trips around different parts of the world. thank you universe and everyone involved in my life in a creative positive way. I feel blessed and excited about life.”
I feel a door is open now to me stepping into my power more fully and allowing myself to rise and shine my light more in the world and let go of fearing that others will judge me. I am free to be the best Shannon and let people think whatever they choose. I would love to inspire others but it's not in my control how others perceive me...
I see Monty Knowles as a healer of sorts. I love that he wants people to be happy and free and find joy and create what they love...I feel more inspired than ever since visiting the Bahamas.
I am now inspired to get my body in better shape for my own self love and empowerment.I believe in self acceptance and love whether someone is fat or thin. It's a choice everyone can make for themselves the kind of shape they want their body to be in.
In conclusion, I had a unique and life changing positive experience with Monty Knowles in the Bahamas. Modeling, Photographing, Eating Healthy, Staying Focused on Creativity, Touring Nassau and Abaco, Taking fun boat rides in Monty's dingy to a beach and over to Atlantis on Paradise Island for some ice cream and a tour of the Casino, and flying in his four seater plane.
If there was a challenge that came up Monty would always solve the problem or find a way to quickly move on, or adapt to the situation if need be, and keep being productive and not get bogged down in negativity or fear.
Monty is a friendly warm, delightful human being. I am so grateful for the time I had in the Bahamas and look forward to another visit for more adventures in modeling/photography and touring a tropcial paradise! I highly recommend connecting with Monty Knowles if you want a magical experience that will alter your life forever.
~Shannon Kringen
"I strongly recommend that every woman have an experience like this at least once in her life"
A good friend introduced me to Monty, his photography and his painted nymphs in summer 2012 when she invited me to tag along on her trip to visit, model and stay on his yacht. All I knew at the time was that Monty was a close family friend of hers and an artist. Never one to turn down an amazing vacation, I quickly agreed to go, thankful for Monty’s generosity and hospitality towards a total stranger.
I arrived at Nassau airport approximately two and half hours before my friend, which was shocking since she was supposed to arrive an hour BEFORE me (gotta love those unpredictable flight delays!). Having no cell service and no idea where Monty lived or how to get there, I felt myself start to worry that maybe all this was a mistake. A few moments later, I saw Monty, who I only recognized from photos my friend had sent me. Immediately, I felt comfortable in his presence and all doubt left my mind. As we waited for my friend’s delayed flight to land, Monty and I talked about all kinds of topics and our shared love of art and photography. A true artist sees the world in a different way and I could tell that Monty was such an artist.
Originally, I had no intent to model or be painted as a nymph by Monty. I only went with my friend to lounge in the Bahamas and enjoy the sun! However, as I watched my friend go through the modeling process and take incredible photos, I found myself longing for the same experience. Monty never expected me to model, content to let a stranger into his home and life, but did seem pleasantly surprised when I volunteered to be painted. Hands down, that was one of the best life decisions I’ve ever made.
I left the Bahamas with newfound confidence and pride in myself as a woman. Monty made me feel beautiful, but never objectified or uncomfortable. He was always respectful and the utmost professional.
I loved this experience so much that I took Monty up on his offer to come back and visit! Over the year from my initial visit, I had seen Monty’s work evolve and become even more amazing than I thought possible. I wanted to again be a model and become a piece of living art. For my second tour as a painted nymph, I felt even more comfortable and more confident in my body than I had the previous year.
I proudly display my photos and will always cherish them and my experiences.
Monty is an artist in every sense of the word and someone I’m lucky enough to call my friend. He sees beauty in every woman and finds a way to capture it on film to share what he sees. Through modeling for Monty, I learned to better love myself and embrace all aspects of my body. I realized how to find confidence in my own skin and keep that feeling going daily. I strongly recommend that every woman have an experience like this at least once in her life!
Jette Lund
With all my heart; thank you so much Monty for seeing me.
Before I met Monty, I was embarrassed to have pictures taken, and when I looked at them, I thought they were just bad every time. I even felt anxious about having pictures taken years ago. So, when Monty offered to take pictures of me, I immediately felt an inner RESISTANCE.
Since I work as a Body, Soul and Mind Coach, I know how important it is to work with myself. I therefore accepted the challenge to work with my inner resistance against having my picture taken. I accepted Monty’s proposal, because I felt comfortable around him, and because it might be another step forward on the road of my personal development and education. I already felt my body react the day I wrote the appointment date into my calendar. I was very nervous when I went from Lyon to Paris, although it also felt as the right thing for me to do.
Monty is a very pleasant and hearty person, so I found it easy to talk to him and felt very comfortable in his company. When he began shooting, he soon managed to make me find peace within myself. I started to enjoy the situation, and it ended up being fun. During the photo sessions, he showed me the photos and pointed out the beauty he saw in each picture. It was so wonderful to feel the way my body relaxed as a result of him doing so.
Heading home, I had the most wonderful feeling about the photos Monty made. When he sent me the pictures a few days later, I was reunited with the joy and satisfaction that I had experienced in my body during the photo shooting. I now saw my own beauty as he had shown it to me. I would wish this to happen for all humans!!!!!
I love my pictures now :))) WWaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaoooooooooooooooooooooo
"He has a talent in making you feel comfortable, safe and beautiful."
I am pure bred Norwegian, therefore I apologize in advance for my Wobbly English... I support Winnie The Pooh 100% when he says: "My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places"
For most of my life I have been the type that preferred to NOT be in the spotlight, and if someone was to take out a camera I would go hide if I could! While most of us, specially women tend to focus on all the things we are not happy with, Monty has a talent in seeing our beauty and capture it. This has changed the way I look at myself in many ways, I have stopped trying to hide and instead "I walk taller"! (and I am tall to begin with) Also through the process of being in front of the camera I have learned to "let go" of the ideas of not being good enough. Monty has been a big inspiration in so many ways. He has a talent in making you feel comfortable, safe and beautiful. He is also one of the few people I know that actually practices being and staying happy, having fun, enjoying life to the fullest. So not only has this process helped me in many ways, I have had a ton of fun!!!
This is a quote from part of a poem by Marianne Williamson. "Our deepest fear"
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ours
elves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? . And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." Thank you Monty!
Viola Dasseville
Monty er enormt fed at arbejde med, han er et dejligt menneske med en utrolig kreativitet - og jeg vil til enhver tid anbefale andre at arbejde med ham, jeg håber meget jeg selv får muligheden igen!
Vi lavede først et Nymphe Art projekt, som i pre-produktion også blev til et kortfilms projekt (med et filmhold).
Efterfølgende en Raw Beauty session - her lærte jeg enormt meget om min holdning. Monty viste mig nogen meget simple og virkfulde teknikker.
Monty er enormt fed at arbejde med, han er et dejligt menneske med en utrolig kreativitet - og jeg vil til enhver tid anbefale andre at arbejde med ham, jeg håber meget jeg selv får muligheden igen!
Maissa Osman reviewed Raw Beauty — 5 star
Would you believe small changes in thoughts, posture and attitude could take you as far as people actually seeing the positive vibe on the outside ? Monty uses the camera as a tool to show you how you can do that! demonstrating that when think of your best self, it is actually reflected outwardly. The camera captures it! all while having a wonderful time meeting and making new and amazing friends! A great experience.
Peggy Stroud:
I can say now, after this weekend spent with Monty…I HAVE INDEED LIVED!!! If, IF my life were to end today, I am certain now that I would go out with such a smile on my face because of this last weekend.
I was so very honoured to be painted and photographed by Monty. We met via Facebook, mutual friends.
By mutual consent we met at my home. He brought someone with him, a female. As it turns it was a former student, who had been working with and for Monty during the last year. This immediately put me at ease, as there were questions I could ask her but would rather not have asked him!
The day Monty came to my house to actually paint me was THE most surreal experience of my entire life-bar none! I turned sixty this year-I have lived!
I was so relaxed I fell asleep several times during the six hour long painting session. Each time I got up to view myself I was astounded by the transformation. Each time! He had asked if I could have two friends of my choice come over to help-and they were invaluable. Moral support, fed my cats, and most important were of great assistance to Monty when we walked across the street to do the shoot.
The shoot itself was perhaps the most emotionally charged part of the entire day. Here I was walking naked across Bay Street-yet feeling clothed because of the hours and layers of paint that were on me. Once we were under the chosen dock at low tide, sunset…all carefully planned-I became a Nymphe! I was no longer Peggy Stroud, Librarian, I was Peggy Stroud, Librarian/Nymphe.
I felt as though I were emerging from the ocean transformed onto the most exquisite site I had ever been a part of. I could feel the water temperature, smell the ocean, feel the ocean floor, see the exquisite sun setting clouds form and change the colours of our stunning Bahamian waters! I was at one with the surroundings-I was a part of it all.
This experience has changed my life forever-forever. That day, I became empowered, fearless and feel as though I will hold that honour within me for my eternity and beyond.