“Catrina la bella Muerte”
FABAIC 2019- The Spirit of Aloha – Orlando USA
Model Giovanna M. Guzman
Photo Francesca Calamita
The ephemeral art of painting on bodies - be it bodypainting or facepainting - has charmed me ever since my first experience, when I realised I could give life to my fantastic creatures – those creatures which, before their creation, only exist in my mind, my sketches or my paintings. Everything starts with an idea – be it for a contest, a performance or a demo. Then from that very first inspiration, it becomes a project which is embellished with details and all necessary features - which then materialise at the very moment of the work execution.
It is a sort of “first take is good”, as I never do preliminary proofs on bodies. I do believe that some kind of improvisation and extemporaneity may add authenticity and uniqueness to the final work. This modus operandi may be derived from my background as an architect. I am used to designing with an overview in mind, with an eye to details though, and then come to the creation of works which will be absolutely unique and never to be replicated.
That is how each character I give life to comes to have its own story, its own meaning - and its own name
standing for its own distinct essence. Form and substance unite to form an indissoluble bond. For this very
reason, I quite never recreate my bodypainting works twice – it may happen but always with some variants
and added details or features making them new versions or spin-offs of the original ones.
Facepainting has some jocular elements derived from horror themes I have a great passion for. Cinema, literature and popular traditions live again in my painted faces where pictorial illusion becomes the main protagonist. It is three-dimensional research, conducted using lights and shadows to deceive the eye and make the observer see non-existent forms and volumes – which photography will then further accentuate. Thanks to the use of colours, such divertissements issue from my wish to recreate those characters that cinema has previously created by special effects – or sometimes those characters my imagination reworks by combining and blending multiple elements to then give life to original and never-seen-before creatures.
A crucial element which greatly contributes to the final result is the models’ interpretation. They do not only “wear” the works, they give them souls. They make them animated and charming and bring them alive! The choice of models is therefore essential to transform them into specific characters. It is also important to adapt each design to the bodies, personalities and natures of those models who will later give them life.
Last but not least, photography is an essential teamwork element. It makes every work immortal – those works which by nature are destined to last but a few hours. Photographers have each their own expressive languages, their own techniques, their own visions of the created characters. You will thus have the chance to enjoy all of the multiple details, poses, volumes and expressions – which not even the artist might imagine before the creation phase itself.
In the summer of 2010, while I was holding a personal painting exhibition, I was invited to take part in a
bodypainting contest. With no experience but a lot of curiosity, I went there with only a few colours, some
make-up items and some painting brushes. I made my very first work on the basis of the sketch I had
prepared - and I unexpectedly ranked third!
This is how it all began. This is how my adventure in this
colourful world got started. I was encouraged by the top two in the ranking – who have then become
incredibly good friends of mine - and the following October I took part in a national contest and got the first
prize. I was incredulous and bewitched and let myself carried away with enthusiasm into that new path
which lay ahead of me.
I studied a lot, I observed a lot, I practised a lot, I experimented with colours and techniques, I created sketches, created headpieces and took part in other contests – each one offering me new opportunities to challenge myself and to find my own artistic language, just as it had previously happened with painting. Two years later, in 2012, I was honoured to be awarded the Italian Bodypainting Championship and to win the World Championship in the “Paintbrush and Sponge Bodypainting” and “Facepainting” categories the following year. These two world titles opened me the doors to the world, and I was thrown into a new reality consisting of trips, conventions and workshops!
This adventure has been going on for over 10 years – each time with fresh enthusiasm, meeting new people and visiting new places – in order to share this magical art which only lasts a few hours but becomes immortal and, in a way, lasts forever.
“Catrina la bella Muerte”
FABAIC 2019- The Spirit of Aloha – Orlando USA
Model Giovanna M. Guzman
Photo Francesca Calamita
“Pavoenix”
Performance at La Calandriniana – Sarzana (SP) 2020
Model Vitalia Abramova
Photo Francesca Calamita
“Vergratia”
Norwich Fashion Week 2017
Model Grace Williams
Photo Francesca Calamita
“Tutamen”
START ME UP Event by Maki Maki – Viareggio 2018
Model Vitalia Abramova
Photo Francesca Calamita
“Undead siren”
Villa Lora International Body Art And Creative Event 2023
Model Tasha Shapiro
Photo Francesca Calamita
“Regina Mortuorum”
Model Letizia Borella
Photo Francesca Calamita
“Queen Londinia”
ChabsUK – London 2017
Cancel Cancer Africa charity event
Model Grace Williams
Photo Francesca Calamita
“Princess Abyssa”
Tattoo Show – La Spezia 2016
Model Vitalia Abramova
Photo Francesca Calamita