Painting Her Own World in a Shade of Blue

Too much is hard to ignore about Bluegirl. She’s taller than the average woman, a little shy of six feet—heels off; she’s in love with hot red acrylic nails your eyes can’t help but chase; and she’s obsessed with all that encompasses fashion. But one thing’s truly visible: her decision to create her own art world and live in it.

Although for the past year artist, photographer and curator, Heidi Calvert aka Bluegirl has been on a hiatus, simply “working on herself,” she somehow managed to curate an exhibit, photograph herself in the nude and display a piece in an erotic art show this past summer.

“I think sometimes we have to focus on ourselves and our wellness,” said Calvert, “in order to succeed.”

Fifteen years ago, Calvert started shooting rock photos and album covers after her lost interest in painting. She soon established herself as an innovative photographer and got noticed for the sensuality in her work. “I think its just part of who I am. I’m a sensual person so it naturally comes out through my art,” said Calvert.

This summer Bluegirl took a break from her break and got to work, curating an erotic show in the “Bee-Rotica” themed exhibit along with Nathan Cartwright, owner of the Hive Gallery in Downtown L.A. The show included painting, photography and multimedia with over 100 artists focusing on erotica. For Bluegirl, it was easy; compile artists, most of who were colleagues and friends, give them the theme and let them roam free. “I didn’t have a theme within erotica,” explained Calvert. “It was just erotic art. I said, “Do what you want but just do it with feeling.” ”

In addition to co-curating the show, Bluegirl also presented a piece. “It was very personal to me,” she said about the nude self-portrait on the wall.  But that wasn’t quite the original plan. “My model didn’t show up, so I was like, I’m a woman, I’m sexual….so I threw on some make up and set up my camera on a tripod,” she laughed.

Like any normal human being, Calvert was shy and insecure about displaying her nude portrait, but she was also excited to be the focus of such an erotic piece.

“There’s a different approach to erotica [compared to porn]. People feel comfortable but yet curious,” claims Calvert. “It’s almost shameless…and it feels like human nature.” But although Bluegirl is drawn to erotic art, she refrains from being classified as an erotic photographer. Her work is filled with variety and passion— her mission: creating her own world as she expresses herself in it.