Steve Haworth

To the artists/practitioners

Being surrounded by those who have taken the time to learn this art form and purchase tools from Steve, along with educating themselves further, has given me a skewed version of the body modification industry. I knew that some artist/practitioners were not so responsible, but that was also in the time of this art form kept a coveted secret and they had to do science projects on their friends to figure things out. We are no longer in those days and there is no more reason for science experiments unless you are trained with this art form. Yet, they are still occurring and at what seems to be an alarming rate.

(By science experiments I mean being contacted by an individual who said an artist/practioner said he should implant corral under his muscle in his hand, fusing his bones together… not a bright idea.)

With Body Modification Conventions, like BMXNET, you now have a way to learn and educate yourselves about extreme modifications. Those who developed techniques in all forms of modifications are happy to share their knowledge here with round table discussions and workshops. The modifications that were happening in our studios (after hours), backyards and god-forbid kitchens has come out of these places and now meeting together to exchange knowledge.

If you are or want to be an artist/practitioner you have the OBLIGATION to educate yourself and be at these events if you plan to do such extreme modifications. A lot of these modifications are dangerous and can have serious repercussions on the person you are working on. You have the OBLIGATION to educate yourself outside of the modification industry as well. Any local college offers courses in human anatomy and physiology and I am sure they are offered online as well. You would be surprised how much you can learn about the “medium” (AKA the human body) you have chosen to express your art form in with a 3 month course. You tube and BMEZine are not valid ways to learn extreme modifications.

In my opinion, and I clarify this is just my opinion, you should take this art form seriously and educate yourself in every way possible. Whether you are simply doing a scarification piece or large 3-D implants this is your responsibility and obligation as an artist. Artists that use canvas and paint and sell there work, for even a mere hundreds, still take courses, travel the world to visit other artists museums and spend a lot of money for their paints and canvas’. You will not be taken seriously, BY MY PERSPECTIVE, if you have not done what you can to educate yourself.

“But I have no money.” Neither did Van Gogh. His brother supported his art career, let alone his housing and such. You have no money yet you go out drinking how often? How much did you spend on your shoes and how big is the TV in your home? There are the exceptions, I know one of them personally who is a very good friend of mine. He still follows as much as he can and educates himself through books. He sincerely has no money and is working himself out of debt and possibly taking on another job to get where he wants to be. He has also taken the responsibility to not begin hacking on people until he can take the time to learn this art form and not just do it to stroke his ego. I respect him for that. If you truly want it and you truly want to do this right, you with learn.

A new phrase that our industry has taken on applies very well here:

“There are many wrong ways to do something, but very few right ways.”

Do it the wrong way and our entire industry suffers from your mistake.

One last thought of something I saw in Dirk’s portfolio of Naked Steel in Berlin. His first page was a resume that listed where he had worked, courses he had taken, conventions he had attended, who supplied his tools and body jewelry and what languages he spoke. I though this was a fantastic intro to his portfolio and I think it should become more implemented in our community.

Those interested in getting these kinds of extreme modifications… one word… patience. I had to wait 2 years for my 1st implant because there was something better that was going to come a long that would work for what I wanted. 7 years later I still have the piece I waited 2 years for and it is still my favorite implant.

I get a lot of emails asking for references. I really can’t give you a reference for liability. If you are interested in getting these extreme modifications, you also need to educate yourself. There is a difference between microdermals and transdermals and if you plan to adorn your body with these types of things then you have the responsibility to educate yourself about the different types of jewelry and different methods.

Please understand that when you do extreme modifications you are running the risk of potentially permanent nerve damage, numbness, infection (including the possibility of a septic blood infection, if not treated, which could kill you), amongst other liabilities. I know you see a lot of people with this kind of work and the thought may run passed your head that it is really common and safe. Everybody reacts differently and your body may not agree with the implants or positioning.

Think about the work you are asking for or getting. Does it make sense to the way the body moves? Some artists are more then happy to make a buck and do whatever you ask for, so it is your responsibility to ask questions, request a portfolio and if it just doesn’t seem right then wait. PATIENCE. It can’t hurt to wait and become more informed versus the alternative of potential disfiguration.

I know all of this seems scary and a little intimidating. Well, it is.

There is a lot more to this then meets the eye. This is still in it’s baby phase moving into the toddler phase. We take every precaution we can when working or developing the implants but when you decide to get and implant from someone you are taking on the responsibility of your own actions. I will never tell anyone this is completely safe, truth is, we just don’t know yet. Just like they didn’t know if Lasik Eye Surgery was going to be successful and safe and yet they still have problems.

When I decided to get my large heart implants in my arms I knew my risks. I knew I could lose sensitivity or have nerve damage that could paralyze my hands. I was an experiment, but I knew I was and chose that. Make sure you aren’t an experiment or if you are you are aware of that prior to the work.

As much as I want to hold artists/practitioners responsible for bad work, you are just as responsible. The artists should have a level of ethics and experience they work under not to harm anyone but on the same tone you need to understand what you are doing to your body and research it yourself. If not for any reason but because your artist will not be there during the most crucial time of healing the work you just got. That will be your responsibility.

I am putting together a discussion for future events about extreme modifications. Any input you might have would help me greatly. This will NOT be a “how to” seminar, just and informative of the good and bad. It will be geared towards the cliental and will be offered for free to any event that would be willing to have me speak.

If you have pictures of work or thoughts I would love to hear it. Please email me at on the contact page.

I did an interview for WE TV and I have an entertaining boi of a 3rd party perspective of my life. I no longer work the high responsibility 9-5 job but I guess the rest is pretty on. I have other publications contacting me about interviews and I still have yet to see this episode. Here is the bio link

http://www.wetv.com/secret-lives-of-women/bios/extreme-body-modificati ons/heather-aka-cookie

I never thought I was that interesting, but I realize I am just as special as everyone else… I just married a popular guy. Call it like I see it.

I have a bit of thoughts running around my head at the moment and I will be making a very serious post soon in regards to extreme modification. It might stir up some controversy but it’s something I think needs to be said. Take care kids!

Our trip to Europe is filled with amazing stories with wonderful people and experiences. Since most of you are friends with our page on Myspace ( www.myspace.com/modify ) you have seen most of the people and places we went to and since myspace sensors suspensions, for the post part, I decided to post a blog on here showing the performance in Oslo at the Suscon.

On the topic of Oslo, because later blogs will be posted about other topics from our 3 week tour, it was absolutely amazing. Havve and Christiane of Pin Point Piercing and Wings of Desire were the hosts of the Oslo Suscon. They have managed to keep ego out of the event and just make it a very enjoyable weekend. This is rare because it always seems like the first day of high school when you go to events like these. They were warm and welcoming to everyone and created a very serene environment for people to suspend. You should definitely consider getting your ass out to Oslo, Norway at some point in your life to suspend with them, if your into suspensions.

Having said that, keep in mind that Oslo is very expensive and you will need to preplan your trip and hotels. A bottle of water is $12 USD and a Corona is $20 USD so make sure you can afford it. Havve and Christiane are more then happy to help out in any way they can.

Steve and I were asked to do a last minute show for the performance so we were assisted by Steve Joyner while Lucky of Australia, Alice of England and Bena of Sweden pulled me up in the air with hooks in their chest or back. At one point these 3 were not only holding me up by hooks but they were also holding me and Steve during the show. Thank you everyone for the help of the show and Thank you Havve and Christiane for having us out.

Paul King had this to say in his travel journal posted in numerous publications…

“For the closing night entertainment, suspension veterans Steve and Cookie Haworth, avoiding the label of performance, arranged an impromptu public “act of love”. Three assistants performed a “pull”, (the act of two or more participants being tied together through hooks in their flesh and pulling away from each other), lifting Cookie into the air. Steve grasped parts of her body; hands, feet, hips, twisting and turning, building up centrifugal force then releasing her in an explosion of movement, to soar in circles to the “ews” and “ahs” of the audience. For the finale Cookie’s piercings sustained the weight of Steve’s added gyrating body. The audience went nuts. I have to admit I’m more than a bit jaded to body play performance, but I was thoroughly impressed.”- Paul King

On a quick side note, Steve used his newer version of the Gilson Hook while out there. Bena did a one point chest suspension with no ripping and Christiane did a 2 point vertical. Steve will most likely post a blog about that soon.

In May, I talked to Steve about the possibility of doing a large piece on both of my arms. It was a basis of taking current designs, hearts, and making one large piece. It is a newer concept that required molding my arms and silicone glueing and carving 7 hearts for each arm. It was a couple of days work just to get the pieces set to implant.

Steve dislikes doing large work like this. Higher risk level then the smaller work. With me it was a matter of seperating 7 square inches of skin on each arm. I am running a higher risk of nerve damage, amongst other obvious issues. I have had 16 implants from Steve previously, so this was a next step for me evolvement. I would never recommend doing large pieces first time around.

The concept of custom work was limited so much before because it was a matter of creating a custom mold for the individual. It was time consuming and expensive but now it is beginning to look more pratical. This is still time consuming, however a few days versus a few months is a big difference.

This heart design Steve and I collaborated on was the first of it’s kind and hopefully we will be able to do more soon. Keep in mind this size of work had me laid up for 4 days in extreme pain. I was not liking life. The pain was worth the outcome because my design is beginning to come through and in 6 months will be fully showing. For now they look like random lumps on my arms.

Larger implants and custom work like this is still experimental. I have lost a little sensation over the implants, but I think it will come back. I haven’t had any complications with them, that weren’t foreseen, like being in a lot of pain, leaving the stitches in longer then usual, the trial and error of figuring out the compression bandages, etc. Hopefully this will open up a new world of custom work and larger implants.

Here are some before and current shot today

I have updated the page a little. Steve has been posting his blogs more then I can keep up! Surprising for a guy who doesn’t write too much. Now that New Hole is in production and The Flesh and Blood Movie is out we will be travelling a lot more and scheduling more appointments. It has been a year now since Junior died and he gave us a beautiful baby boy for a grandson. Now we seem to be getting back on track. I will soon update our travel plans and please feel free to email me if your interested in work via the contact page.

Still learning my way around this website and I recently posted an FAQ about the work and Steve. So I have no idea where this post will end up but I will have an idea in a second when I post it. Up coming events are San Fransisco and we will be touring parts of Europe in July.

Tasha, Steve’s daughter, turned 16 and got her tounge pierced for her birthday. For a girl who has taken to her fathers work, like a duck to water, she sure was a baby. Here is a peak into our home life.