 1st Place
Sabrina Silva
I started face painting about a year ago when I took my kids to an amusement park and had their faces painted. Seeing the joy on their little faces made me want to go out and buy a little kit so I could extend the experience. I started doing this for them and it ended up being something wonderful for me!
I have always been creative and have experimented in many mediums. I was a Graphic Designer for many years and an Art Director for a National Advertising Agency.
I am the First and Only Latin Female Tower Crane Operator. For the last five years I have had the pleasure of building large mansions and tall buildings.
I haven't had the pleasure of using all the different brands, yet. I started off with a Large Snazaroo kit to get the most colors for my money and get my facepainting off the ground. As my business began to grow I have been able to build a decent kit that includes Starblend powder paint for quick full face coverage, Wolfe FX Black/White for Line work and Diamond FX for vibrant opaque colors. I hope to eventually try out and purchase many more brands to add to my kit.
I enjoy painting one of a kind designs. I love it when my daughters come to me and say "Mom, I want you to make me look like this, with that and this" They constantly challenge me to be creative and so the fun never ends!
I have a Genuine Passion for ART and LOVE what WE ALL DO! I'm happy that I've found a rewarding way to express my creativity and enjoy learning and growing from other artists. Throughout my short career as a face and body painter I have met many talented artists who have now become my friends. I truely feel blessed!
This award winning face painter lives in Palm Springs, California
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 2nd Place
Jamie J. Graden
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING?
I got started in face and body painting when I began working at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim as a facepainter. I started taking facepainting more seriously when I was promoted to Facepainting Supervisor and managed a team of 30 facepainters at the resort.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THAT?
Before Disneyland, I worked as a children's fine art instructor for 3 years. I also attended college at Cal State Fullerton, and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. My focus was in illustration and graphic design.
WHAT DO YOU NOW BESIDES FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING?
Right now face and body art is my main focus and source of income. I also participate in art shows, selling paintings and graphite drawings.
WHAT PAINT BRANDS ARE YOUR FAVORITES? WHY?
My favorite brands are Paradise, Wolfe and TAG. I love to use Paradise for sponging and blending, Wolfe for linework and TAG for all of the above. I am really enjoying TAG because of the vibrant colors.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO PAINT?
I love painting feminine designs inspired by nature, as well as abstract designs. I also enjoy cheek art illustrations.
IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT YOUR CAREER AS A FACE/BOD Y PAINTER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT?
I would like others to know that sometimes we don't always end up doing what we intended to do. As a college student, I wanted to be a children's book illustrator. I somehow fell into facepainting, and even though it wasn't planned, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Jamie Graden, face and body painter lives in the Silverlake/Echo Park area of Los Angeles
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 3rd Place
Teressa King
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING?
I started face painting my boys for fun in 2007/08. I liked it enough to offer to paint the kids next door. The following year, I added it to the other creative services I offer and was asked to paint at a birthday party for a close friend. The year after that, after losing my "day" job, I started promoting it even more and also started looking for face painting classes to take. I knew there had to be techniques I could learn that would make it alot easier, quicker, better and more fun to do.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THAT?
Although I have a Bachelor's Degree in Studio Art, I worked for the Trial Courts of California in both Orange and Riverside Counties for 13 years. On and off, I would paint, do commissioned portraits and participate in an occassional art show.
WHAT DO YOU DO NOW BESIDES FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING?
I am a mother and wife, who happens to also be a portrait artist, illustrator, and natural hair stylist. I am hoping that after all these years, this may be my opportunity to really make a true effort to being creative full time.
WHAT PAINT BRANDS ARE YOUR FAVORITES? WHY?
I dont have any favorites yet, as I am still learning about all of the brands available. I currently use Snazaroo, Diamond FX, Star Blends.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO PAINT?
I like painting the cats: lions, tigers, leopards, etc. and anything my kids can think up for me to turn them into.
IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT YOUR CAREER AS A FACE /BODY PAINTER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT?
It is the most fun I have ever had being creative. I think because it is interactive. I would love for this to be my full time career. I could do this forever.
This award winning face painter lives in Corona, CA.
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 4th Place
Christine Cots
I am in the Navy (Active Duty) serving at the US Naval Academy as a Senior Enlisted Leader (I mentor midshipmen). I have been in the Navy 14 years and just a couple years ago I was pregnant with my first child. I met a painter on the street who offered to paint my belly for free (as long as I provided some free advertising and I agreed to be her model). So after a couple belly paintings I was hooked, I thought it was the neatest thing and she ended up showing me some very basic stuff and I worked for her for a little while until she let me go and I started my own thing to fill the void that now had become my addiction! I have always been an artist (canvas, multimedia, chalk art, any type of crafting, etc), and this came natural. As for favorite brands and the such - I use whatever paint brushes are on sale at Michael's, I use Mehron because it's what I started with and i love the creaminess of it and how it smells but I use Wolfe for crisp high pigmented lines. But I am sure there are some other great products out there! I will keep trying them all! I love to use paint everywhere, faces, bellies, legs, bodies - I painted solo at the FABAIC 2009 competition (didn't place - first competition) and I painted at FPBA 2011 in Vegas with Mark Reid, Ben Botalla, Joanne Hawkins - and that was an awesome experience (we took away 2nd place!). I just love it and wish I could do more of it! When I retire from the Navy I will probably make this my full time gig!!! |
