Okay, so, I’ve been seeing this UFC fighter, Alex Pereira, and the dude’s got this intense face paint thing going on every time he steps into the octagon. I got curious, so I did a little digging and decided to try it out myself. Here’s how it went down.
First off, I had to figure out what the heck this face paint was all about. Turns out, it’s not just some random design. This guy Pereira, he’s from Brazil, and he’s got roots in the Pataxó tribe. The paint is a nod to his ancestors, a way to honor them. Apparently, indigenous folks across the Americas used face paint for all sorts of stuff – ceremonies, war, you name it. Each stroke has its own meaning.
Getting Started
So, I grabbed some face paint. I mean, where do you even get this stuff? I ended up ordering a basic kit online, nothing fancy. When it arrived, I laid out all the colors and just stared at them for a bit. I felt like I was about to do something significant, but also, I had no clue where to start.
The Process
- Finding a Design: I hopped online and looked up some traditional Pataxó designs. There were so many intricate patterns, it was kinda overwhelming. I picked a simpler one that I thought I could handle.
- First Strokes: Man, my hands were shaking. I dipped a brush into the black paint and just went for it. The first line was wobbly, but I kept going. It felt weird, but also kinda cool, you know?
- Building It Up: I added more lines, some dots, trying to copy the design I found. It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot. But with each stroke, I felt a little more connected to what I was doing. It wasn’t just about slapping paint on my face anymore.
- Mirror Check: I finally looked in the mirror. Wow. It was… something. Definitely not as intimidating as Pereira, but I could see the resemblance to the traditional designs. I started to get why he does this. It’s like, you put on this paint, and you’re not just you anymore. You’re carrying a piece of history, a legacy.
The Result
It took me a while, and I messed up a few times, but I ended up with something that kinda resembled traditional face paint. I wore it around the house for a bit, just to see how it felt. It was a strange experience, but in a good way. It made me think about all those who wore this paint before me, for whatever reason, it was powerful.
So, yeah, that’s my little adventure with Alex Pereira’s face paint. It’s more than just a look; it’s a whole story. And trying it out myself, even just once, gave me a whole new perspective on it. I get why Pereira does it now. It’s not just about looking tough, It’s about carrying his heritage with pride, and that is admirable.
I guess you could say I walked away with a bit more respect for the guy, and a deeper appreciation for the meaning behind the paint. It’s not just about the UFC or the fighting. It’s about something much bigger than that, much deeper.
Would I do it again? Maybe. It was definitely an experience. But for now, I’m just glad I got to step into that world, even if it was just for a little while, it was quite an experience.
