 1st Place
Arely Cordon
started in October of 2008. Me and my fiance were planning our wedding and had to pay for it all on our own. We kept trying to come up with ideas. I saw the Halloween make up and it hit me, why don't I try this out. Before then, I had two jobs, and still do, I am a ride operator at Disneyland and I work for the Santa Ana Unified School District as a Clerk. I now have added jumper rentals to my business as well as balloon twisting. I have Mehron, Wolfe and Snazaroo paints. I tend to favor Wolfe because I love how it takes little water to activate it. I feel like I have more control with wolfe. I love to paint tigers and cheetah, its so simple but it never seems to amaze me how different and realistic the person looks once your done. I would be nowhere as a face painter without my lovely and patient 5 year old girl. Poor thing, when I first started she had mommy face painting her 5 different designs a day so that mommy could get the practice, she never once complained.
|
|
 2nd Place
Lilly Walters
I got into painting by doing those silly painted Christmas yard sign. Now we have one of those tacky homes with a zillion painted yards signs for every holiday (see videos of our house at Christmas). The more I painted, the more I loved it. Next I tried stencils, and other types of patterns. Finally I tried a few simple things freehand. This lead to my first art book, Cobblestone Cottages From Junk Jars, then an ebook, Paint A Cobblestone Courtyard On Your Cement Floor. Now I have all kinds of paint patterns for sale on-line and a book on how to paint on fabric. Then one day my church asked me to help at a Festival painting faces. "Oh, I can't do that!" They insisted, and I fell in love. At the Festival we do from 600 - 850 faces in two days. I train their volunteer staff of painters and help coordinate it all.
But this once a year event was not enough to get my fix. So, I created a little website for my face painting, to see if anyone would actually PAY me to paint! Today I am very fortunate, my phone rings just about every day with someone wanting to hire a professional face painter. Now I get to say, "that's me!"
Although I use just about every paint, except Snazaroo, my favorite paints are mostly Diamond FX and pressed powders.
In June of 2008 I founded the West Coast Face Painters, which is a support group for other professional face painters.
See more about Lilly Walters, Face and Body Painter
|
 3rd Place
Star Shields
I wanted to match my “Rainbow” garments models for a fashion show with rainbow makeup.
It has evolved much since then which was about 1978 or 79.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THAT?
Airbrush garments, surf boards, graphics walls etc
WHAT DO YOU NOW BESIDES FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING?
Airbrush custom items. Canvas, graphics, clothing etc and organic gardening.
WHAT PAINT BRANDS ARE YOUR FAVORITES? WHY?
Airbrush Body Art makeup and inks from Australia I helped create the idea.
They have the best Fluro colors, black and white.
Mehron Lux Makeup smoothe finish nice flow.
European Body Art Vibe Makeup is also smooth in the finish and blends well.
All 3 brands are compatable on application which is a very big plus.
Also they can all be airbrushed over or under most water based sponge and brush makeup.
This is the hybrid type face and body art.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO PAINT?
I guess I still love rainbows.
IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT YOUR CAREER AS A FACE/BODY PAINTER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT?
I give master classes and I sell all the products I use below retail. This includes Iwata and Paasche airbrushes and supplies as well as stencils, inks and makeup. Hey even the glitter.
Instructional DVD is available.
|
|
 4th Place
Gina Niemi
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING?
I started my journey into face painting when I was invited to help raise money for my son's elementary school in 2004. Not having a clue about anything in the Face Painting world......I found myself to be absolutely horrible at the art. I purchased my first kit from Snazaroo and practiced for hours on a daily basis until I took my first gig.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THAT?
I was a full time employee for a Government Collection Company with a back round in Nursing.
WHAT PAINT BRANDS ARE YOUR FAVORITES? WHY?
I am not known for using one brand of paint. I love Diamond FX for its bold colors and opacity. I love Paradise for it's ease of blending and I love Kryolan for their Neons & Interferenze colors.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO PAINT?
I really enjoy painting anything Tribal and I love doing Large pieces of art. Such as full body art, pregnancy paintings & Back Art. I really enjoy creating bold and bright face art as well.
IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT YOUR CAREER AS A FACE/BODY PAINTER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT? Beside my love of face painting & the willing to Inspired & be Inspired.....I also run a face painting supply company, called WowFactor. We are growing fast and are continuously adding new products.
|
