Tree Lighting

I painted on Sunday for the... geez, I don't even remember how many years I've been painting at the Ho-Ho-Kus tree lighting! It's quite a few at this point.

I love this event, despite the cold. We get a heated tent that makes us even more popular than we always are as face painters. I had my new repertoire of holiday designs ready to go, but the line was so long and the crowd so... crowded... that I didn't have time for many photos. I did get two cute ones, though the secong isn't a technically good photo. The rush and the close quarters made it tough; I was trying to snap photos very quickly so I didn't make the rest of the line wait too long.

gz-Body Painting or I Made Their Day, They Made Mine

I must admit I questioned the sanity of taking on a gig in the late afternoon on a day when I had to be on stage that night. Yeah, yeah, this was nowhere near as crazy as taking on the Tribeca Film Festival gig the day of my opening night, but this was booked even before that.

It was so worth it.

The kids, the adults, they were all great! There weren't that many kids, so they were actually getting their faces washed and coming back for second helpings of face paint! Like this cutie, a natural model, who first wanted a cupcake on one cheek and an ice cream cone on the other.

But then this young man wanted a green and blue tiger. Once the dessert fan saw that, she

wanted a tiger too! So she washed her face, and came on back.

Meanwhile, my tiger then decided he wanted to be a panda! Off he was to wash his face, and a panda he became.

Meanwhile, the party boy - he'd received his first communion today - decided that he'd had enough of being good for one day and it was time to be a monster.

And of course, we had our requisite superhero, to save us all from said monster.

Then the bigger kids (read: adults) got into the act too. Mom got flowers on her arm, and some others requested shamrocks. The best sport, though, was grandma, who let her granddaughter pick her face design, and agreed to match the kiddo, except in pink.

Yup, this was my original cupcake & ice cream girl! I really do love it when the adults get in on the action! I left the party with a smile on my face while they dug into their cake.

The Odessey In Face And Body Art

The newest event on the block is Bodyessy Con which will be held in Toronto this April.
Another convention for face and body artists to gather learn and share, this one will be showcasing some amazing talents. Be sure to come back in mid-April to see photographs of some of the artworks created there.

It's Not All About The Body

Most events where body artists gather to learn, compete and just plain show off are not festivals or all about body painting at all. Some are more convention-like. Currently the premier event in the USA is the Face And Body Art International Convention. The convention started in 2001 and continues today holding workshops and competitions for face painting, body painting and henna. The event is held each May in Orlando, Florida.


I love going here to see so many close and talented friends.

Body Painting As Fine Art

In order to introduce you to Body Painting as a fine art I will begin with the various events where artist gather to create living artworks.

When one thinks these days of body painting they think most often of either trade show/nightclub women sporting corsets, jeans and jerseys or glossy magazine swimsuits - yes all painted body art. And while many of my closest artist friends paint corsets, jeans, jerseys and swimsuits..... as alas we must pay the bills..... many paint living artworks that make the heart swoon for a more colorful, carefree world.

So in the first series of this blog on body painting I will introduce you to the various events celebrating this ancient and emerging art form.

And I'll be a bit selfish posting mainly artworks painted by friends. As I move forward I'll feature single artists, as well as models and photographers involved in this passionate art form. Come meet my friends and join me as I meet new ones.