Celebrating 236 Years of Freedom

ANNOUNCEMENT: Wildfire will be closed July 4 for Independence Day. Please plan accordingly. As our nation turns 236 years old, it's good to be reminded how revolutionary the idea of freedom is. Seems there are always special interests at odds with individual liberty… not to mention the apathy of those who don't recognize their own chains. As Harriet Tubman once said, "I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves." ...

July 3, 2012|Uncategorized|

The Black Light Effect On Screen – New Art Film Explores The Subject Of “Conception”

Conception. Where do original ideas come from? Scientists and mystics alike have pondered the question. Even Hollywood has tackled the subject with the recent blockbuster, Inception. But the answer is still a mystery. This subject of conception is explored in a new art film, appropriately titled Conception, created by Brad Lawrence, who was featured in this blog one year ago. As Lawrence explains… "CONCEPTION follows the artist’s creative process through a seemingly endless loop of daydreams—each vision more vivid and ...

June 20, 2012|Featured Artist|

This Black Light Art Event Is Totally Beachin’!

The Effects Master Energy II uses less than a third of the energy of the Effects Master Standard. Usually, the beach is associated with bathing, boarding, and babes in bikinis. But this May 26 and June 23, Dockweiler Beach is doing something new: Black light on the beach. (It's lucky that Dockweiler Beach happens to be the only L.A. County Beach open at night!) Here's what's going down… It's called Nite-Write, and it's part of a collaboration between ...

May 16, 2012|Uncategorized|

Adding An Extra Element of Surprise To “Art In Action”

Brian Olsen paints portraits. But he doesn't sit in a studio, working tediously for hours. He does it in about 4 to 10 minutes… in front of a live audience. Brian works in front of an oversized canvas, sometimes holding six brushes at once, other times using his bare hands, and in a theatrical display of showmanship accompanied by music, he paints portraits of famous individuals: athletes, movie stars, politicians, CEOs of major corporations, and other celebrities. The effect is ...

March 13, 2012|Featured Artist|

Blacklight Basics: The Truth About “UV Filters”

Moving light fixtures often have a "UV Filter", presumably to create a UV effect. But do they really work? Is it possible to replace a dedicated UV fixture with a moving light fixture equipped with a "UV Filter"? In April 2009 we tackled this issue in an article published in Lighting & Sound America entitled "The Truth About UV Filters: Many moving lights feature UV filters, but are they the real thing?" Since this is still very much a relevant ...

February 16, 2012|Blacklight Basics|

Happy Holidays! (& Holiday Hours)

Happy Holidays from the Wildfire team! We're grateful for each one of our customers, fans, and followers. May you find plenty of inner peace, love, and joy this holiday season and beyond... "Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." -Calvin Coolidge Wildfire's Holiday Hours: Friday, Dec. 23: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Monday, Dec. 26: closed ...

December 20, 2011|Uncategorized|

Fighting Gravity: Who Says White Dudes Can’t Jump?

Turns out, glowing white men CAN jump… even to the point of defying gravity. With the magical touch of "Fighting Gravity", these three glowing hooded dudes can fly! Check it out… So what's the secret to their magic? You guessed it… black light. It takes a team of 13 performers, each with their own unique task, to pull off this stunning illusion. Unseen figures dressed in black manipulate the glowing figures, along with various glowing accessories such as balls, skateboards, ...

December 8, 2011|Cool Applications|

Happy Thanksgiving from the Wildfire Team!

Well, it's Thanksgiving (almost)... ...and the Wildfire team would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of our customers and readers. We are truly grateful for your support... and may you experience a joyful celebration of life this holiday weekend! "Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow." -Edward Sandford Martin

November 22, 2011|Uncategorized|

Rick Alonzo: An Artist in Motion With a Message of Devotion

"A small man with a big heart." That's how one person described Rick Alonzo. For the past eleven years, Rick has been showcasing an entertaining blend of martial arts, gymnastics, and… you knew it was coming… black light paint! The result is quite spectacular… take a look: But for Rick, it's all just a vehicle for delivering a powerful message to young people. "I don't want to just entertain, I want to give them a message that will forever change ...

November 8, 2011|Featured Artist|

UV Paint Mixing Secrets: How To Create Fluorescent Earth Tones

Notice the earth tones in this "white light" photo. There's nothing special about it until... (see below) Generally, UV (black light) paint comes in colors that for the most part represent the primary spectrum: red, yellow, orange, green, blue, violet, and white. (Wildfire Luminescent Paint also has a hot pink and magenta.) (To complicate matters, there are also the invisible colors, which appear white under normal light and fluoresce their color only under black light… and the invisible ...

October 26, 2011|Painting Tips|