This section is dedicated to our members for them to write about the things that interest them most. You can write about an event you visited, or a new exhibition. You can write an evaluation of a new product you have found. Perhaps some of you have toured with your art and would like to share your travel experience.

All you have to do is write about a paragraph or two of information, include some photos and send it to us to go online. This should be a place to share your thoughts and experiences with the community. So please take the opportunity and start thinking about what you think needs to be known.

If you send it in english, more people will have access to the report but you can also send it in your language.

Stockholm Bodypainting Contest at the Attitude Fashion Fair

Baltic Beauty Week 2011 - Bodypainting and Image Competition

The International Stylist School of Biruta Magele hosted for the 10th year already the bodypainting competition within the Baltic Beauty Week 2011.
Participants from the Baltic States, Russia and the Ukraine attended the competition in variouse categories.
The jury was impressed by the nice work the particpants showed to the many visitors of the show.

The two winners Anete Steina and Jelena Paeglite won a trip to the next World Bodypainting Festival in Austria.

The winners:

Body art contest  „Renaissance - Rebirth” winners :

1. place – Anete Steina and Jelena Paeglite ( Latvia)
2. place – Inga Kavaleristova and Karolina Rubovska( Latvia)
3. place – Kristine Mihailova ( Latvia)

Stage make up" competition winners:

1. place – Anna Baranova ( Estonia)
2. place - Laine Kublinska ( Latvia ) 
3. place – Sintija Konovalova (Latvia)

Make – up competition „Renaissance - Rebirth” winners :

1. place – Elina Lusina (Latvia)
2. place – Liksma Plaude (Latvia)
3. place – Elina Kaulina ( Latvia)

Contest of Creation of the Associative Image "THE GRAVITATION OF OTHER WORLD" winners :

1. place – Liga Bundule ( Latvia)
2. place – Violeta Baranovska (Latvia)
3. place – Anna Krivuca and Jekaterina Rilova (Ukraine)

Review NZ Body Art Awards 2011

The "art" in the NZ Body Art Awards is an extraordinary mix of craft and design, involving makeup, body paint, embedded and attached objects, masks and body pieces, prosthetics and body extensions, all applied to a living human body. Body art practitioners work mostly in the film, television and advertising industries, and their work is subject to very demanding standards.
The living canvas which is the outcome of this work is seldom available for public display, other than on one special occasion -- as the culmination of the annual NZ body art awards where finalists take to the catwalk as the entertainers in a gala showcase.
Artistic directors for the 2011 Body Awards Showcase, Duane and Tutevera Wichman-Evans of Oyster Entertainment, deserve credit for a visually cohesive and run-to-schedule 2011 event based around the competition theme of Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud and presented at the ASB Theatre of the Aotea Centre, having outgrown the Bruce Mason Centre where it has previously been staged.

40 full-throated performers from Te Oranga Kapahaka took to the stage on the dot of 8pm, wearing costumes from the New Zealand movie River Queen, a mix of traditional kapahaka puipui and various items of colonial clothing that certainly signalled the event's connections with the film industry. Their lead singer rose high above them as if at the peak of a tower, and her singing easily filled the venue. At the completion of their opening number, the male performers flowed down from the stage into the audience with patu and taiaha displays, while the women faded into the wings accompanied by haze. Behind them, the on-stage transition to model display was seamlessly achieved.
Glorious photographs of natural New Zealand steadily changed on the back wall of the stage throughout the evening, an awe-inspiring series of backdrops with occasional images of the built environment or historic scenes. This display was also tailored to suit the appearances of guest performers which neatly divided the model displays into 3 classes at a time. Rappers J Geeks and the Geeks wearing makeup by Cut Above's team, presented their release songs Maori Boy and Icky Sticky love, and five Birds of Paradise from Morag Magnolia Brownlie's production roamed the stage in search of love, and the kapahaka artists performed before awards announcements. MC Jo Holley made continuity announcements throughout and assisted with the presentation of awards by sponsors.
The real focus of the show, of course, is what the models are wearing on their skins - the outcome of 8 hours of work on the day, and for the categories such as Special Effects - Fantasy and Fluorescent Illusion which allow and require more than paint, there is the addition of objects and pre-crafted elements.
To make it possible to see the details of the body art, each model parades onto three thrust stages in front of the judges and VIP tables, with close-up video appearing on large screens either side of the auditorium. If you want to revel in the small details for more than the minute which each model is in focus, you can do that after the show when the models present the designs in the foyer for this very purpose.
The array of designs is extraordinarily fanciful, covering the models from head to toe. The theme is relatively prescriptive, so of course elements of the New Zealand landscape, flora and fauna, and iconic kiwiana abound. Paint is supplemented by makeup, glitter, ferns and feathers and woven objects, masks, sculptured body parts, prosthetics of many kinds. As we move through the categories, the focus shifts from painted skin alone to the most astoundingly elaborate augmented designs, and the audience becomes increasingly vocal about their favourites in each category.
The models have a challenging job -- how to best present the design while standing on a plinth, lying against a huge rock pile, and parading across the stage. It takes a certain attitude and awareness to do this effectively, and it's easy to pick the dancers and drag queens from those who have hardly ever set foot on a stage in public performance. You also need to have a certain amount of sympathy for models whose entire skins are covered in competing kiwiana -- which aspect do you choose to embody best? Or if you are masquerading as a gnarled pohutukawa covered in branches wreathed in flowers, (designer Kelly Zhong-Ni-Ren) the costume pretty much decrees arms raised and walk with a stately pace. But for those in the Creatures category, such as this year's award winners the scaled-up green and yellow Gecko, (designer Melina Pruden) and the fluorescent orange and yellow Humanoid Weta with barbed leg extensions (winning the Supreme Award for designer Magdalena O'Connor), the requirement is very clear - inhabit the costume as if you are the real creature on which it is modeled. These last two models were clear audience favourites, and were consummate performers.

Review Bodypainting Trophy 2011 presented at the
BEAUTY FORUM in Munich, 15 and 16 October 2011

Im Rahmen der Fachmesse BEAUTY FORUM München 2011 wurde zum zweiten Mal die Bodypainting Trophy und die Facepainting Trophy vergeben.
Für den kleinen, aber feinen Wettbewerb reisten Teilnehmer aus Deutschland, Italien, Frankreich, Österreich und Israel an und verzauberten die Messebesucher mit ihren Werken zu den Themen Mythos & Sage“ und „4 Elements“.  Die teilnehmenden Künstler waren sowohl während des Malens als auch bei den Bühnenpräsentationen eine außergewöhnliche Attraktion für die Besucher.  

In der Jury vertreten waren dieses Mal die Chreachiefs mit Mike Shane, Bella Volen, Lena Pock und Eva Brosch.

Der stolze Gewinner des Bodypainting Wettbewerbstages war wie im letzten Jahr Johannes Stötter aus Italien.  Er konnte mit seinem bis ins kleinste Detail durchdachten Gesamtkonzept die Jury für sich gewinnen und gewann vor seinen Mitbewerbern Daniela Schatz auf Platz 2 und Claus Dirscherl auf Platz 3. (beide aus Deutschland)


Der zweite Wettbewerbstag stand ganz im Zeichen von 4 Elemente und dementsprechend fantasievoll gestalteten die Teilnehmer ihre Facepainting-Arbeiten dazu.

Die Kategorie gewann die Israelin Einat Dan vor Johannes Stötter und Alfren Fabris.

Die World Bodypainting Association freut sich über den erfolgreichen Verlauf der zweiten Edition am Beauty Forum München und auf ein baldiges Wiedersehen.

Melbourne Body Art Comp by Ria Clauss

Our third Melbourne Body Art Comp (MBAC)
Was a big success. Every year the standard of
work gets better and more artists enter.
 I had artists come from all over OZ.
This year the Theme was
Wired for Sound. Some really interesting
designs come out of that.The performances
were awesome! Australia doesn’t have
real Special Effects yet so the Special Effects
reminded me of the WBPF back when it was the European
Festival. Im watching us evolve in the same way.
Director Ria Clauss

New bodypainting book by Petra & Peter Tronser

Faszination Bodypainting: Das Handbuch zur Körperkunst mit Pinsel und Airbrush

Alles, was Bodypainter und ihre Modelle wissen müssen über: Schmink- und Malfarben zum Auftragen mit Pinsel, Schwamm und Airbrush, das plakative und plastische Schminken, Beauty-Make-up und temporäre Tattoos. Mit Kapiteln über Farben- und Proportionslehre und drei informative Bildfolgen zum Bemalen. Für Modelle gibt es ein Info-Blatt und eine Checkliste. Mit einem ausführliche Kapitel über das Fotografieren und Posieren vor der Kamera mit vielen, fantastischen Fotos. Bodypainting Die Magie der Farben auf dem menschlichen KörperKörperbemalung, das uralte Ritual als Kunstform unserer Zeit. Ein Buch, das alles enthält, was Bodypainter und Modell wissen müssen: Über Schmink- und Malfarben zum Auftragen mit Pinsel, Schwamm und Airbrush, das Material vom Pinsel bis zur Airbrush-Pistole, plakatives und plastisches Schminken beim Facepainting und Beauty-Make-up und temporäre Tattoos. Mit Farben- und Proportionslehre, drei Step-by-Step-Serien zum Bemalen mit Pinsel, Schwamm und Airbrush und Infoblatt und Scheckliste für Modelle. Mit einem ausführlichen Kapitel über das Fotografieren und Posieren vor der Kamera, denn ohne Fotografie wäre Bodypainting nur eine Kunst des Augenblicks.
Auf 160Seiten, über 80 Bodypaintings aus den letzten 2 Jahren.
Und jedes Buch enthält eine DVD mit Real Aufgenommenen Szenen (Erklärstücke) zu den einzelnen Bodypainting Techniken!
Hintergründe, Anleitungen und Tipps zur kultigen Körperbemalung zu eigenen kreativen Erfolg

Jetzt im Handel
Verlag: Edition Fischer; Auflage: 1., Auflage (August 2011)
Faszination Bodypainting
29,90 
ISBN 978-3-939817-89-5

A Bodypainting Contest in Germany by Jörg Düsterwald

New bodypainting book by Pieter de Ruiter

Open for pre-order now - www.bodypaintingbook.com

Review World Bodypainting Festival 2011
by Alex Barendregt

The World Bodypainting Festival 2011 is history and we are very honored to have artists from 42 nations registered for the World Awards.
The festival week was full of program highlights and the new location Pörtschach at the lake Wörthersee was colourfully inspired by the international crowd.
Before the main days with the world championships, there was the "WBF Academy", the extensive education program or the surreal ballroom "Body.Circus" and of course the book launch "Body Art Fashion". 

A complete review can be found on the official website:
www.bodypainting-festival.com

Review of the Bodypainting Trophy 2011 at the
BEAUTY FORUM in Leipzig, Germany, 21 May 2011

Beauty Forum Leipzig – a small, nice and successful contest for the Bodypainting Trophy.

In co-operation with the World Bodypainting Association, the contest for the Bodypainting Trophy took place on Saturday, 21st of May, at the 1st Beauty Forum Leipzig. 13 participants from the whole world gave the event an international touch and amazed the visitors with their work.

The jury consisted of: Ernst Wieser (Austrian Airbrush Academy), Peter Richter (Theater Make-up Berlin) and Enrico Lein (Theater Make-up Berlin). The theme of the contest was “Art History” and the participants had unique and outstanding ideas with many details on this. The 1st place went to the proud Einat Dan from Israel, who convinced the jury with her work in the style of Klimt’s “Kiss”. The 2nd place went to Johannes Stötter from Italy and the 3rd place went to Alfren Fabris from Brazil.

The small and nice contest for the Bodypainting Trophy was a big success and we do hope to welcome all participants at the World Bodypainting Festival in Pörtschach as well. By the way, the next Beauty Forum will take place on the 15th and 16th of October 2011 in Munich. Visit our website for more details and registration.

Review of the World Bodypainting Festival 2011
by Alex Barendregt

The World Bodypainting Festival 2011 is history and we are very honored to have artists from 42 nations registered for the World Awards.
The festival week was full of program highlights and the new location Pörtschach at the lake Wörthersee was colourfully inspired by the international crowd.
Before the main days with the world championships, there was the "WBF Academy", the extensive education program or the surreal ballroom "Body.Circus" and of course the book launch "Body Art Fashion". 

Find a full report on the official Website www.bodypainting-festival.com

Review from the Bodypainting Trophy presented by BEAUTY FORUM in Zurich, 5 and 6 March 2011

The 1st  Bodypainting Trophy in the categories brush / sponge and airbrush was held in the scope of the trade fair BEAUTY FORUM SWISS 2011 from 5th – 6th March in Zurich.

Participants from Germany, Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland came to Zurich for this nice competition and amazed the visitors with their works focusing on the themes “The 60s” and “Comic”. The artists were an outstanding attraction for all visitors during the time of painting and during the presentations on stage. The jury consisted of Birgit Mörtl, Wolf Reicherter, Marcel Krause and Fredi Schmid.
The proud winner of the first competition day with the theme “The 60s” was Johannes Stötter from Italy. He impressed the jury with his detailed concept and won the brush / sponge category. Eva-Maria Schulz from Germany became 2nd, followed by Johanna Soegeng on the 3rd place.

The second competition day focused on comics and therefore, the designs turned out to be full of fantasy. The participants competing in the airbrush category had a time limit of 5 hours in order to complete their work. The Austrian artist Elisabeth Presslauer won the competition followed by the Swiss local hero Herbie Betschart and the team Fredi & Friends from Möriken.

The World Bodypainting Association is happy about the smooth organization of the Swiss Bodypainting Trophy and is looking forward to seeing you all at the World Bodypainting Festival 2011 in Pörtschach at the lake Wörthersee.

Review: The Waituhi Bodypainting Festival, New Zealand
30 January 2011

The Australian Body Art Awards & Face/Body Painting Convention
2011 Award Winners

The Australian Body Art Awards and Convention became the centre of the Australian Face & Body Art community, with a week of National Face & Body Painting competitions.  The convention side of the event attracted a great selection various classes from our very talented Australian and overseas instructors.

The event was set in the beautiful tourist country town of Daylesford,  from the  18th to 24th of February 2011. It was Australia's Face & Body Painting event of the year!!!  The Face and Body Painting community  came together to compete for the National Titles and to share and learn from each other. 

There were competitions in Face Painting, Body Painting, UV Body Painting & Special FX. These National Titles are affiliated with The World Body Painting Association.

On Saturday morning  the Rex Arcade in Daylesford, was buzzing with anticipation, excitement and colour. This was a rare treat for the local children, who were painted by a team of competing Face Painters. 

The event had four parts to it;
The Awards - Competitions 18th, 19th & 20th Feb
The Convention - 20th (overlapping with the Awards), 21st & 22nd Feb
The Shows - Painted Model's stage performance & Awards Presented - 19th & 20th Feb., 8.00pm
Pre & Post Convention Classes - 18th, 23rd & 24th Feb.  These were all day classes with either Lucie Brouillard, Christina Davison or Yolanda Bartram.

The Convention part of the event had over 60 classes.  Australian & World Champion Face/Body artists & Special FX Make Up Artists taught at the convention including two current world champions, Yolanda Bartram (Special FX) & Lucie Brouillard (Body Painting) . 

Congratulations to all the Artists that competed and the award winners below.

FACE PAINTING - PROFESSIONALS

• 1st - Ayesha Henderson
• 2nd - Wendy Fantasia
• 3rd - Katrina Spark
• Encouragement Award - Kyla Morgan

FACE PAINTING - 5 min

• 1st - Marion Mitchell
• 2nd - Liese Ho
• 3rd - Wendy Fantasia
• Encouragement Award - Diane Williamson

BODY PAINTING (PAIRS)

• 1st - Cho Miyoung & Chio Hee Kung
• 2nd - Bryony Rosehtsh & Rachael Richardson
• Encouragement Award – Jessica Watson  Miller & Emilie Ades

BODY PAINTING PROFESSIONALS (SINGLES )

• 1st - Jessica Watson Miller
• 2nd - Claire Sunderland
• 3rd - Wendy Fantasia
• Encouragement Award -Katrina Spark

BODY PAINTING SEMI - PROFESSIONALS (SINGLES)

• 1st - Ayesha Henderson
• 2nd - Marion Mitchell
• Encouragement Award - Carleen Adorn

UV BODY PAINTING

• 1st - Kim Cakebread
• 2nd - Vanessa Hornett
• 3rd - Gina Nomachi
• Encouragement Award - Robyn Stevens

SPECIAL FX

• 1st - Ambah OBrien
• 2nd - Diana Cook
• Encouragement Award - Kerrie-Anne Gaia

MODEL'S AWARD - Best model's stage performance

• Awarded to - Sam Telianidis

Maskerade 2010 in Venlo: Ein Farbenrausch der Illusionen am ersten Advent für die ganze Familie (von Susanne van Zeeland)

Am 27. und 28.11.2010 fand die niederländische Meisterschaft, die Maskerade, in Venlo statt.
Body- und Facepainter aus dem In- und europäischen Ausland kamen zusammen um sich in den Disziplinen Face-, Belly- und Bodypainting mit Pinsel / Schwamm, Airbrush oder Special FX zu messen. Das ausgelotete Thema  an beiden Tagen hieß Illusion. Und das versprach schon viele schöne, spannende Kreationen.

An beiden Tagen konnte das Publikum 4 Stunden lang den Künstlern über die Schulter schauen und beobachten, wie ein Kunstwerk schöner als das andere entstand. Da wurden Zauberer, Mimikris, Tiere, Drachen, Schlösser und vieles mehr auf die Körper der Modelle gezaubert. Ein Painting war schöner als das andere.

Das Maskerade-Team um Bert Verstappen und Mieke Peters hatten neben der Organisation des Wettkampfes ein tolles Rahmenprogramm für die Besucher gestaltet: 5 ausgewählte Wettkampfteilnehmer präsentierten ihre Modelle mit eigenen Shows. Auf diese Weise war es Möglich dass auch der Weihnachtsmann und ein Zauberer das Publikum begeisterten. Dennoch wurden auch die Werke der anderen Künstler mit kleineren Auftritten gebührend gewürdigt.

Results

Baltic Beauty Week, Riga 2010

Associative image creation contest "INTRIGUE"

1. Līva Drešere
2. Signe Valtere
3. Kristīne Mihailova

by Marlies Pontasch:

Beauty Forum Munich 2010 – colourful as never before !

The World Body Painting Association (WBPA) organized on October 16 and 17 a body and facepainting competition within the big trade show Beauty Forum Munich"

On Saturday was organized the first BEAUTY FORUM Bodypainting Trophy within this trade show with over 800 exhibitors from the beauty industry. The theme was Animal Look and the participants from several countries were inspired by the world of animals. In jury we presented the new artist groups called "Creatchiefs" with Mike Shane, Birgit Mörtl, Chris „OBSN“ Oberheber, Eva Brosch und Lena Pock. 20 artists were allowed to compete and it was not easy for the judges to find the winners.

In the end Johannes Stötter from Italy was awarded for his interpretation and won the die 1. BEAUTY FORUM Bodypainting Trophy ahead of Einat Dan (Israel) and Jeanette Müsch (Germany). 

Sunday was the Facepainting Trophy under the theme "POP ART“.  The participants got very creative. In the end the jury awarded Einat Dan from Israel for the winner, the second place went to Nadja Hluchovsky from Austria and the winner from the day before Johannes Stötter (Italy) got the third place.

• Results Bodypainting category
• Results Facepainting category

by Klaus Behnisch

Since long before I holded the "picture" of this performance in my head. It should be a affecting metaphore and should indicate to the agony of marine beings that everyday miserably die in fishing nets. It should explain metaphorically, that also we are finally trapped in our own nets because we deprive ourselves even off  this source of food and destroy the ecological balance of our planet completely.
So I went with this idea until May 2008 and finally approached a number of environmental and animal welfare organizations to inquire whether there will be an interest for this type of presentation.
Only the WWF Germany showed interest and was willing to use the idea for their campaign against bycatches. Personally I welcomed it quite much because I like the actions of the WWF in general. They always search for solutions that are satisfactory for all.
My original idea to be carried out in the open sea was quickly rejected, though many models, celebrities, filmmakers and photographers already agreed to participate in such an action. The costs would be too high and to find the right sponsors in short term showed to be very difficult.
            Thus, the action was planned for a swimming pool. It was important for the WWF to find a pool large enough for the press to take pictures and movies on the spot. After extensive research, we found a public pool in Berlin Schöneberg that suited our needs. There is a large underwater window for the media people to observe everything.
            And now it was on me to create inside this basin an ocean like atmosphere. I solved this by turning all the pool into a surreal ocean and intended to create a dangerous underwater world in a gloomy-looking ocean.
            The choice of materials proofed to be difficult. As a black background cover for the pool 300 square meters of pond liner were used. That was pretty heavy itselve, and directly layed down on to the pool ground. Then there was the selection of the nets. This was the most difficult part. It should not endanger the actors too much. Also not cover too much of the divers’ bodypaintings and fit into the terms of colour generally. Finally 100 m industrial fishing net was to be hung into the basin. The keypoint was that nothing dangerous happened.

But thanks to the underwater experience from past shootings and the outstanding quality of products from “Kryolan” nothing like happened. A subsequent analysis showed no water contamination at all. I would like to point out that “Kryolan” not only supported the logistical assistance but also financially supported this action of the WWF Germany and me. A special “Thank You” for this good cooperation.    

For about two hours the divers continuously were in the water and swam ceaselessly into the net. Nevertheless, the colors kept and adhered very good.
Despite great stresses there was a hilarious feeling after the successful end and the big response in the media. Top athletes, artists and environmentalists gathered here collectively to draw attention to this every day madness in our seas.
For me and the idea of Aqua Revival, it was a milestone in experience and provides the courage for more. It would be e.g. very attractive to take part in a theatrical performance such as Wagner’s "Rheingold"…

Filippo Ioco presents his recent project with Operation Calendar. A Body Painted Pin Up Calendar where 50% of all proceeds are donated to wounded troops and their families.

Filippo: "Now, I am not political and I'm against WAR but after meeting and seeing many young beautiful courageous men and women that have come back from combat disfigured, missing limbs, burned or mentally disabled from the things they have endured. This project has become dear to my heart !! I often wonder if these young men and women knew what they were getting into. Anyways you will never see these men and women or hear their stories on CNN or any other news program because there would be a tremendous uproar. Government is either overwhelmed or does not have the founds or resources to help these individuals and their families out. So it is organizations like Operation Calendar and so many others that try to make life a little easier for these individuals. I am honored to be a part of this effort !!"

.

Please show your support by purchasing a Calendar at www.operationcalendar.org or forwarding to some one you may know that would be interested

New Bodypainting Books published

“Airbrush Bodypainting Step by Step“ offers an introduction into the
airbrush technique in body painting and its fi elds of application such as tattoos, make-up, tanning as well as whole body painting. Stencils
and masking as well as soft colour gradients and shadings offer unique possibilities of expression. Following the compact material overview, basic exercises guide your steps on the way to the right handling and help you learn the different airbrush techniques. The step-by-step instructions show the emergence of popular body painting motifs such as the leopard look, bathing suit, a robot or an alien. The artists‘ gallery and helpful links sparks incentives for your own work.

Pötzl, Lothar: Bodypainting Fantasies. The Art of Lothar Pötzl.
Hrsg. v. / Edited by Hassler, Roger / Steiner, Jürgen
Softcover | 29,6 x 20,8 cm | 96 Seiten / pages
2009 | ISBN 978-3-94-165600-0
€ 19,90
Orders dirtect to Airbrush Step by Step: katja.hassler@newart.de

Each of Lothar Pötzl´s bodypaintings is a complete artwork in itself:
Embedded in the self-created or real coulisse, his body art generates
a complete staging. His compositions are often abstract, surrealistic
and colourful. His occupation as scene painter provides him with
a true treasure trove of materials and inspiration. In this imaginative
photo volume, Lothar Pötzl presents his work on the topics of material, colour, form and humans. His artworks arise intuitively and without layout drafts. The artist himself even makes the photographs to catch the aesthetics and beauty of the female body in the picture representing his personal style – sometimes subtle, sometimes provocative.

Hassler, Roger: Airbrush Bodypainting Step by Step
Softcover | 29,6 x 20,8 cm | 160 Seiten / pages
2009 | ISBN 978-3-94-165601-7
€ 23,95
Orders dirtect to Airbrush Step by Step: katja.hassler@newart.de

Living in Hawaii gives me a unique chance to explore a culture that is very old and has an incredibly diverse and enormous mythological history to bathe in. 

I live on the island of Maui which in itself is famous for many Hawaiian gods and goddesses. I decided after 8 years of living here to deeply research Hawaiian mythology and more specifically the famous tiki statues that have been carved for hundreds of years here in Hawaii and all throughout Polynesia. 

Tikis became a pop culture sensation in the 20th century however their ancient history is very intricate and linked to the divine.

First a brief explanation of Hawaiian worldview and the function of tikis before I explain my recent body painting projects:

Hawaii’s spiritual worldview before the Europeans came and eventually conquered the land and religion was animistic.  Animism refers to an inner life in all things animate and inanimate.  Nothing was inanimate to the Hawaiians.

  They believed in “mana” or the essence of life that inhabited all things. There was mana in the wind, the clouds, the trees, the ocean, the rocks and so on and so forth.  Animals were guardians called “Aumakua”.  Pele is the goddess of the volcano energy that brought forth the very Hawaiian islands. There is an enormous pantheon of gods and goddesses, demi-gods, and kupuas (supernatural beings) that exist in the Hawaiian spiritual mythology. 

Once such figure is the carved tiki. Tiki was the first man in some Polynesian traditions and the carving of this divine being is a sacred act. Only the best woods would be used.  Prayer and chants accomplished everyday actions of the ancient Hawaiians. 

The tiki that was carved would store up these prayers and chants and act as a protector or fierce guardian of the ali’is or chiefs of the Hawaiian people.

There were many different tikis of various gods but the main four gods in the Hawaiian culture are Kane, Ku, Kanaloa, and Lono.
Kane is the ultimate creator of life and represents the sun and procreation.  Hawaiians believed in dualism and polarity so where there is light and life there must be darkness and death.  Kanaloa is the opposite of Kane. He is the god of the sea, death, and the underworld.  Then came Ku, the most aggressive of all the gods. 

He is the god of war and sacrifices of many kinds were made to him.  Last of the major tiki gods was Lono.  Lono is the god of peace, the harvest, and of athletic games.  Storms and clouds are associated with this god’s coming. 

The people were not allowed to work during worship of Lono and his presence served as a break from the strict “kapu” or rules the Hawaiians lived by.

Currently I am attempting to body paint the four major gods of Hawaii represented in tiki form as well as eventually paint all the major gods, goddesses, aumakua, and other supernatural beings that exist here in Hawaii. 

Mythology is an endless supply of magic and mystery, inspiration and imagination.  What better way to show the magic of mythology than in black light. 

The following pictures are my black light representations of Ku, the God of War, a menehune being (the mythical little people of Hawaii), and the Lono, the tiki god of peace. 

Knowing Hawaiian mythology, I will be painting for a very long time.  Much aloha.
Rachel Deboer
www.racheldeboer.com

On September 13th, the swiss bodypainting day was organized by Marcel Krauer and his team. 15 artists from Austria, Germany, Italy, England and Israel came to Luzern to the very friendly organized event.

The bodypainting competition was held in the Verkehrshaus (Transport Museum) in Luzern where the organizers gave the theme "transit".

After 6 hours the 15 artists presented the bodypainting models to the audience. The awards were given later to the following artists:


1st place: Bella Volen
2nd place: Herbie Betrschart
3rd place: Melanie Rodel

Audience Prize: Olaf Hauk

A beautiful event with many many well known artists, most of them also member in the WBPA celebrated till late. The highlight was indeed the welcoming party in Marcel's garden where he invited all the participants for a spagetti party. We all talked, laughed and drinked together.

We are looking forward to the next year's even. (Alex Barendregt)

Flagship retail concept at 5-star Grand Park Orchard attracting designer icons
Singapore’s first ever catwalk fashion show featuring full body-painted models launched 'Knightsbridge', a chic and exclusive new luxury shopping destination on Singapore's world famous Orchard Road.

The magical spectacle at The White Rabbit underlined the "unique style" of the new four-storey, 83,000 sq ft retail concept at 270 Orchard Road.

Themed 'Aristocratic Chic', the fashion trade extravaganza showcased a diverse range of body paintwork, taking in British fashion influences from 'country tweed' and classic English gentleman style to 'swinging soiree and cabaret' style.

Show designers Runway Concepts embellished the body-painted models with crystals, mirrors and other 3D accessories complete with super-sized hairpieces to create a vivid impact.

The show was attended by the creme-de-la-creme of Singapore's fashion business as well as the retail industry’s top honchos.

Inspired by the prominent district of London, Park Hotel Group aims to recreate that same air of exclusivity at Knightsbridge in the upcoming flagship property, Grand Park Orchard.

I was just tired and delirious. The rest of my time there was spent site seeing and going to various meetings. Tokyo is amazingly clean and spotless for all the people it has, the whole time I was wondering why can't the rest of the world be like this. 

They recycle every thing !!  The out door garbage bins are set up as glass, plastic, metal, burnable and non burnable they even have a section for cigarette buts !!  The food is great !! from low end to high end restaurants they all prepare the food to look like art, so if your starving you should eat at home before you go out to eat.. The people are very nice and courteous.

An amazing array of artistic talent was displayed at the first Melbourne Body Painting Competition. Judging was extemely difficult due to the quality of the entrants. 10 Artists were in the competition that was organized by Australian Bodypainter Ria Clauss. The first prize was sponsored by Kryolan, the second by Looney Bin, Third by FPA

First Prize - Puss In Boots by Gina Nomachi.
Second Prize - Laurie Faulkner
Third Prize - Elana Leiu

World Body Painting Association member Bernhard Witch organised a wonderful bodypainting event in cooperation with Casinos Austria from the 26th to the 28th of March.  

The event was held inside the casino in Seefeld and the competition ran over three days with different themes to paint to. 10 artists were specially invited to compete.

Einat Dan at the Fancy Face Make up Company in Taiwan

The fancy face make up company and school of make, invited me to Taiwan the second time to be a judge in makeup/body painting contest and to a make fashion and body painting workshop.
The main artist and the owner of the school, is Francy which is famous make
up artist in Taiwan he has his own products of make  up under the name
"fancy face" he has a partner name Timothy that spend the most of the time
with me and made me feel comfortable.

The contest:
the artists came from all over Taiwan, the contest was for professionals
and semi professionals, but the category are different then what we know but
i like this idea.
- bride makeup +hair styling
-stage make up & costume design & hair
- bodypainting
The contest was in Taichung, hot weather and the artists worked out side.

The artist start to work at noon time and finish at 18:00. At 18:30 we start to judge In the jury were the best make up artist in Taiwan, very famous hair designer , and the had of make up from "Fancy
face" company, mister Francy him self.
There were not so many artist in each category and it's pity , i hope next year
will be much more .
After  judging the show start  on stage , the show was impressive , the
stage was on a river in the middle of beautiful  park , the event was well
organized , big screen & great light .
After my speech on stage, we gave the trophy and the prices to 5 winners
each category , so more artist are happy .

2 days after i gave my workshop in stage make up / high fashion and body
painting, i use fancy face products , the quality of the product , very
good specially the eye shadows and body painting .
Tthe artist were so polite  and very humbles, it was great to see that. I had so much fun and enjoyed every moment.

i must say that I'm traveling , doing workshop all over the world , in every
country every one so nice to me and treat me well but the way the Taiwanese
people treat me i will remember for ever , so much respect , they took care
of  me like I'm a queen and I'm just a simple person ,
they are really great host.
Ii would like to thank every one from fancy face, thanks to Francy and
specially to Timothy and his beautiful son Sean .

Rai Claus from Australia working in Finland

Hello everyone.  After attending Seeboden last summer I went up to London to visit my kids, as I always do, but this time I received an all expenses paid trip to Finland to do demonstrations and lectures on Face and Body Painting, at their Secondary School and College in Ulvila. I also did a workshop at the local theatre. It was a great experience for me as I probably wouldn't have seen Finland otherwise. I had a wonderful time and was given a book on Finland signed by the Minister of Tourism, the Curator of the Museum and the Theatre manager. There was also an article about me on the front page of their local newspaper. I also had the pleasure of painting a pregnant lady whos Bub kept kicking when I touched a certain spot on her tummy it was so beautiful!

10 year anniversary in the HR Giger Museum in Switzerland.
A very special bodypainting evening by Marco Licata and Fausto Zucchi from Italy

It was the 10th year anniversary of the world famous HR Giger Museum in St. Germain, Switzerland. The 2 members Fausto Zucchi and Marco Licata were invited by the museum to paint a Giger design into a living sculpture.

The event in the Giger meuseum was held over a whole day with live DJ's as entertainment plus a tattoo artist tattooing a Giger artwork for the visitors to watch. Of course the two bodypainters were also present painting a Giger artwork onto a live model in theme.

A highlight to the event was the presence of Giger himself at the museum signing books and meeting his fans. Fausto and Marco were greatly honored when Giger approached them while they were painting to compliment them on their artwork.

Click for the PDF photo report www.hrgigermuseum.com

Es war das 10 Jahres Jubiläum des weltberühmten HR Giger Museum in St. Germain in der Schweiz. Die beiden WBPA Mitglider Fausto Zucchi und Marco Licata wurden eingeladen, um ein Model im Gigerstil zu vollenden.

Das Museum war den ganzen Tag frei zugänglich mit DJ's und Unterhaltung, Tätowierer die Giger Motive umsetzten und natürlich die beiden Bodypainting Künstler.

Das Highlight des Jubiläums war natürlich die Anwesenheit von Giger selbst, der den Besuchern Bücher signierte. Eine tolle Erfahrung für Marco und Fausto, die besondere Komplimente von Herrn Giger selbst für ihre Arbeit erhielten.

Klick für den PDF Fotoreport www.hrgigermuseum.com