Face Painting Nov. 2010 Contest for West Coast Face and Body Painters

1st Place (Tied!) Monica Noriega HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING? I was looking for a creative way to make extra money where I could have my own schedule and enjoy what I did. > WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THAT? I did graphic design, I worked in sign shops designing logos and setting up sings, mostly vinyl graphics... like car wraps & such. > WHAT DO YOU NOW BESIDES FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING? I also paint kid murals > WHAT PAINT BRANDS ARE YOUR FAVORITES? WHY? Wolfe FX, because the vibrant colors. > WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO PAINT? full bodies > IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT YOUR CAREER AS A FACE/BODY PAINTER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT? I have two first place awards for face painting.. one in 2009 at FABAIC in the novice catagory, the other in 2010 in Vegas. Monica lives in El Cajon		1st Place (Tied!) Gina Newsum I started face painting in 1984, when my oldest daughter started school. I would do volunteer painting for all the school parties. Just little doodle art on the cheek, but the children loved it. I researched face paints and products and went professional in July of 2009! I worked in a factory for 30 years, retired in 2007. During that time I also had a woodcraft business for over 30 years. I designed my own patterns, cut my own wood, sanded and painted all my products. I also taught myself how to airbrush, and incorporated that into my woodcraft business. I did on the average of thirty shows per year, traveling all over the state of Michigan. I am retired so I have gone full steam ahead into my new business of face and body painting, also I am planning on teaching classes very soon! I use Diamond FX, Snazaroo, Paradise, and Wolfe. But my first love is Diamond FX paint! Diamond FX is so bold and bright, and the coverage is amazing. I absolutely love to paint roses! Lots and lots of roses! And I would have to say that the "tiger" is my second favorite! Then I would have to say the "butterfly" With all the glitter! The most rewarding thing about face painting to me is to paint a design on a small child, hand them my magic mirror, and watch their faces turn into a giant smile! It touches my heart! I feel truely blessed to chat with and share my work with so many great amazing artists from all over the world, I look forward to the day of our meetings. I love life! Gina lives in Battle Creek, Michigan
3rd Place Mona Turnbull HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING? Son’s pre-school asked me to help out. WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THAT? I am an administrator for various universities in the UK. WHAT DO YOU NOW BESIDES FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING? Looking after two gorgeous monkey boys who are 4 and 18 months WHAT PAINT BRANDS ARE YOUR FAVORITES? WHY? Diamond FX metallix and Kryolan DuoChrome Range. They are so gorgeous especially when using double loading technique! WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO PAINT? Flowers most definitely! IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT YOUR CAREER AS A FACE/BODY PAINTER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT? I started face painting business at the beginning of 2010 but I have always painted using other mediums as a hobby since 2000. Skin as a canvas is something very challenging. When painting on canvas, oils are oils but face and body paints you need to know which brands are great for what! I am still learning, practicing and doodling. I love what I do! Mona lives in the UK		4th Place Kelly-Jane Erkin HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN FACE AND/OR BODY PAINTING? I first picked up a paint brush and a Snazaroo book back in 1999 to help out at my daughter’s Nursery when they were having a Christmas Fayre. I had a book, 3 colours, 1 brush and 1 sponge to work with...if only I knew back then what I know now! But all it took was those 3 colours and 1 brush to get me hooked. 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! Face and body painter Kelly-Jane lives on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border in the UK
	Jamie Graden		Elizabeth Pilola
	Claudia Adelman		Kim Mille
	Angela Hewitt		Christine Cots
	Elisa Mendoza		Gina Newsum
	Helen Graham		Athena Stovall
	Anabel Rodas		April Grondel
	Kim Millen		Claudia
	Jules Pomerance		Athena Stoval
	Becky Sutherland		Anabel Rodas
	Jules Pomerance		Kelly Jane Erkin
		This month there was also a Head and Upper Body contest!