I have been facepainting for quite a few years but only seriously in the last year or so. It all started at University when my housemate wanted to go to a Halloween party as Darth Maul. So, I bought a couple of Grimas facepaints and faithfully copied the design onto his face. It caused quite a fuss and he won a prize.
I built up my kit and did a few facepaints as favours for parties etc. It wasn't until I started work as an art teacher that I got back into it, I had lots of willing volunteers to practise on and even got my Mum involved.
My Mother and I started 'Phizzog' a facepainting company and in only the last year we've painted at lots of events and for different companies including Race for Life in Folkestone, The Fairy Festival in Canterbury and Sandgate Sea and Food Festival to name but a few.
Through different contacts made from facepainting I found out about the UK Bodypainting Festival in Ashford, Kent. I thought I'd give it a go and to my surprise and amazement won the Novice award.
It was at the festival I was asked by Michael De Pryker to go to China as one of 16 other bodypainters from all the world. It was an exciting and eye opening experience, one that has incited my passion to persue a career in face and body art.
I have always had a passion for things creative. I studied Fine Art at University of Wales Institute, Cardiff. After a few jobs...most not worth mentioning apart from my employment with Nicholas Reed at Lilburne Press, I studied to become an Art teacher. I have now been teaching Art at the Astor of Hever Community School in Maidstone for 5 years.
