Bonnie Brooks
Bonnie d’Alene Brooks is a student of many interests. In April 2012, she completed a 12-piece clothing collection, celebrating gender fluidity, versatility, using sustainable fabrics, while honoring traditional influences from Japan and India.
In May 2012, Bonnie became involved in the behind-the-scenes aspect of the Midnight Tea project by crafting altar cloths, candles, aromatic floral soaking salts, and belts for use during the ritual. She collaborated as both a performer and photographer in the 24-hour Tea in Vancouver (July 2012), and joined 11 other artists for the 12-hour Tea in Mumbai (December 2012). More recently joined lead artist, Natasha Marin, for Midnight Tea in Helsinki, Finland.
Bonnie first attended Miko Kuro's Midnight Tea in 2011 as a guest at the "Nest Tea" held at the ArtXchange Gallery in Seattle. Her role was SHI.
She is currently creating custom garments as part of a photography project for Seattle artists like Jessika Kenney, Rachael Ferguson, and Shoko Zama. Find her online at Blue Gourami.
Bonnie (right) is shown wearing makeup by Nightshade Beauty and a couture headpiece by Belle McCluskey. Portrait by Elliot Solomon.)
Belle McCluskey
Midnight Tea veteran and inspiration, Kat Morris, of Nightshade Beauty (see stunning makeup above) connected the Midnight Team with Belle McCluskey and BEHOLD!!! Beauty happened. In a really big way!
Belle and Midnight Tea creator, Natasha Marin, knew nothing of each other, but shared a deep and implicit trust for Kat's aesthetics and taste in people and thus agreed to a sort of blind-date collaboration at the SPRING TEA.
Aesthetically, there has never been a more pitch-perfect tea than this one! Belle is talented off the charts, and her generosity was felt by each guest who proudly selected her headpieces to debut at this midnight ritual. Like many women artists, McCluskey stays rather busy juggling different wavelengths of fabulosity, so it was really a privilege to see her have a moment to let loose and play with her awesome partner, Dan, amidst the beauty that she helped to co-create! Please treat yourself to a peek at her other creations at: Boring Sidney.
Portrait of Belle and Dan McCluskey (left) by Elliot Solomon.