1st Place
Mélanie Cassella

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING?
I started face and body painting ten years ago while I was learning make-up in a make-up school in Paris.

But I have always loved to do make-up when I was a child or a teenager for carnival, New Year ’s Eve or Halloween, it’s a real passion!

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THAT?
I studied Information/Communication because I wanted to become a journalist.

WHAT DO YOU NOW BESIDES FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING?
I’m a professional make-up artist based in Paris, I do all kind of make-up such as photo shoot, TV, cinema or stage make-up.

WHAT PAINT BRANDS ARE YOUR FAVORITES? WHY?
I started using Fardel which is really good for beginners because it’s a cream, you don’t have to add water and you always have the good consistency to work with and it gives a great blending.

Then I discovered Wolfe paints, Paradise, and all the one stroke cakes from Silly Farm which I love because the colors are vivid and it sets on the skin and doesn’t smudge everywhere!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO PAINT?
I love the butterfly! I can make so many different color combinations and designs, it’s always different. I love to put glitters on my face paintings, it’s a real plus to make it pop! But I think that a good design is the one that makes the child smile when he discovers himself in the mirror, it’s the magical moment!

IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT YOUR CAREER AS A FACE/BODY PAINTER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT?
I have been ask to do body paintings for a French singer Mylene Farmer, the video of the dancers I painted was broadcasted in giant screen behind her while she was performing in the Stade de France, it was huge!

Mélanie, face and body painter comes from the French Riviera but now lives in Paris.

2nd Place
Amy Enright Medina

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING?
Eleven years ago the person planning my churches harvest festival knowing that I liked to paint asked me to volunteer to do face painting at the event. I went to a local costume/entertainment shop to buy a face painting kit. It just happened that they were in need of a face painter and I was hired on the spot, even with no previous experience!

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THAT? Just out of high school I worked as a cake decorator in a grocery store for 5 years but gave up that job to be a full time mom to my daughter.

WHAT DO YOU NOW BESIDES FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING?
I'm a porcelain artist and have been china painting since I was 14 years old. Through my studies of porcelain painting I learned the fundamentals of art. I also enjoy other types of decorative painting such as painting wall murals.

I have also found that I enjoy teaching face and body painting. In 2005 I taught at FABAIC and now have started teaching one day face and body painting classes.

Personally, outside of art I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter that can include biking and road trips or just staying home and watching movies together

WHAT PAINT BRANDS ARE YOUR FAVORITES? WHY?
I have favorite colors in most brands, I use Wolfe, DFX, Paradise. My technique of painting involves the use of split cakes, so I have many types in my kit including split cakes I make myself.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO PAINT?
FLOWERS! I LOVE to paint flowers!

IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT YOUR CAREER AS A FACE/BODY PAINTER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT?
I have worked many gigs and have had many wonderful experiences and opportunities in this business. One claim to fame was being invited to be a guest artist in the TV show "The Doctors" to paint a baby bump for a pregnancy segment. Sometimes I get recognized at gigs as the belly painter they saw on TV

Amy, face and body painter, lives in Menifee, California

3nd Place
Kelly-Jane Erkin

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THAT?
I was a legal secretary for over 10 years before becoming a medical secretary.

WHAT DO YOU NOW BESIDES FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING?
My partner and I provide a professional entertainment service (KJ Entertainments) offering disco, karaoke, face painting, balloon twisting, glitter tattoos, quiz nights and party nights. First and foremost though I am a semi-professional singer and have been performing on stage since my early teens and together with Dan now perform as a duo called Pride covering hits from the 1950s right up to the present day.

WHAT PAINT BRANDS ARE YOUR FAVORITES? WHY?
In my kit at the moment are Paradise, Diamond FX, Kryolan Interferenz, Snazaroo, TAG, Wolfe, Grimas and Fantasy but if I had to choose a favourite it would be Paradise. I find it the easiest of all the brands to work with, it blends beautifully and of course smells gorgeous. But for line work it has to be Diamond FX.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO PAINT?

Tigers, definitely but butterflies are slowing catching up. I adore Mark Reid’s work and love the way he makes his tigers pop!

IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT YOUR CAREER AS A FACE/BODY PAINTER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT?
That I am quite OCD about my kit and have taken quite a bit of stick for it! It has to be spotless…even on a job!

This award winning face and body painter lives on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border in the UK

4th Place
Lisa Marshall

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING?

I grew up with a very creative relative that turned our garage into a studio. I liked messing with the paints and ended up covered in it every time. As I got older I expanded from paint to make-up. So I researched professional make-up application, special effects and face/body art.

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THAT?
I was seriously painting with acrylic for long hours when I was pregnant with my daughter. I have also done wedding make-up, airbrush tanning, liquid latex clothing, custom acrylic art abstract and portraiture, furniture restoration, murals and collaborative Fine Art shows.

WHAT DO YOU NOW BESIDES FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING?

I'm an Education Assistant for students with disabilities, I start instructing face/body art to children and adults in September at a recreation centre.

WHAT PAINT BRANDS ARE YOUR FAVORITES? WHY?

Who doesn`t love Paradise and Arty Cakes? They are great products for a one stroke blend, they smell FABULOUS, and there is such a variety. I also love the reactions from parents when I tell them about the Mama Clown Glitter Poofer and how its safe and hypo-allergenic. One poof and its done! Ice Blue is the best I say! I recently ordered some Wolfe FX, Fantasy powders, and some other products and I`m going crazy with anticipation. I think the Mail Lady hates me. haha.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO PAINT?
I`m a huge fan of Celtic and tribal designs, Mehndi (henna), and anythng else thats extremely intriquite.

IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT YOUR CAREER AS A FACE/BODY PAINTER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT?
I love to create that element of surprise, and I keep trying to improve so that I can paint even more, new and exciting, works of art.