Photos from BPF Academy

The World Bodypainting Festival held annually in Seebodeen, Austria is not only an exhibition for the World's Premier Body Painting and Face Painting Makeup Artists, it is also a learning symposium. The World Bodypainting Festival offers a full schedule of Classes, Workshops, and Seminars for Body Painting Makeup Artists and Face Painting Makeup Artists for all levels through the World Bodypainting Academy.

Kelly Virgona, Australasian Agent for Mehron, Inc., flew to Austria to be a part of the 2010 World Bodypainting Festival held in Seebodeen, Austria on July 12-18. Kelly has represented Mehron and been a member of the Mehron Team at many Makeup Conventions, Shows, Festivals and Exhibits held throughout the world. When not representing Mehron around the world, at home in Australia, Ms. Virgona fills her work schedule with events for Sparkles Entertainment and Promotions. As part of the Mehron Team at the 2010 World Bodypainting Festival, Kelly Virgona busily spent her days at any event where Mehron was represented. the Instructors for two of the Classes at the World Bodypainting Academy were sponsored by Mehron. Jinny and Mark Reid, World Renowned Body Painting Makeup Artists, were instructors at the Mehron Sponsored Classes at the World Bodypainting Academy, Kelly Virgona provides us with a glimpse of these classes from her camera lens.

Jinny begins with the basics at her Workshop at The World Bodypainting Academy.

By the end of her class, Jinny is instructing on more elaborate Body Painting Techniques with Paradise Makeup AQ.

Mark Reid, The Master of Makeup Jeans, instructs on using Mehron Paradise Makeup AQ to make jeans that fir like they were painted on.

Mark Reid and Students at the World Bodypainting Academy admire the finished jeans, painted with Mehron Paradise Makeup AQ.

A display of Mehron Body Painting Makeup and Face Painting makeup set up by Kelly Virgona at the back of the World Bodypainting Academy Classes of Jinny and Mark Reid.

Mehron Sponsored Classes at 2010 WBF

Amidst the fun and competition of the World Bodypainting Festival held in Seeboden, Austria, which this year will be held July 12- 18, 2010, the important work of teaching is also done. The World Bodypainting Festival includes the WBF Academy which gathers an eclectic faculty of teachers from around the world. The Faculty of the WBF Academy is comprised of accomplished Makeup Artists who specialize in the art of Body Painting and Face Painting and are able to share their techniques, tips and tricks with the students of the WBF Academy.

This Year, 2010, Mehron is excited to sponsor classes by Mark Reid (USA) and Jinny (Canada) as they share their knowledge with the students of WBF Academy. Attendees of the 2010 World Bodypainting Festival can resister for classes at the WBF Academy through the Festival Web Site, classes are limited in size so that personal attention can be received from the instructors.

Mark Reid is a master at painting clothes on a body. his Special Workshop sponsored by Mehron will focus on this aspect of Body Painting. Using Mehron Paradise Makeup Mark Reid has mastered shading, highlighting and shadowing with water activated cake makeup. Mr. Reid will be sharing his expertise in controlling the texture and hue of the color to create three dimensional effects in painting jeans. The realism of the tears, folds, pockets and texture that Mark achieves will all be shared with students who attend his Special Workshop, "Jeans and Tops" at the WBF Academy. With his hands on experience through years of Body Painting, Mark Reid has developed a personal technique in achieving realistic clothing with makeup that he is ready to teach to those who can attend. The Mark Reid™ Signature Brush Set has just been introduced by Mehron. This new Body Painting Brush Set was developed by Mehron to meet the specifications of Mark Reid, who believes that this custom collection of brushes are a significant tool in effectively using Body Painting Makeup to achieve the right look. The Mark Reid Workshop at WBF Academy will cover not only jeans, with emphasis on the details, such as seams and pockets, it will also delve into the intricacies of creating tops, and corsetts that incorporate Glitter and Gemstones. Mark Reid™ GlitterMark is another of the 2010 introductions of innovative makeup products by Mehron. This new alcohol free glitter suspension in a water based gel was created to give the Artist the utmost control in the application of fine lines and details. Developed with the guidance and input of Master Body Painter, Mark Reid, this precision new glitter body painting accent will enhance the details of any Body Painting Creation, not just tops and corsets. In the hands of Mark Reid, Mark Reid™ GlitterMark will take the detailing of tops and corsets to new heights.


Jinny, whose Body Painting and Makeup Resume is extensive, will also be instructing at a Mehron Sponsored WBF Academy Workshop. Jinny, whose Body Painting Achievements include a First Place Award at 2008 World Body Painting Festival held in Dageu, South Korea on August 25-31, 2008 in the category Brush/Sponge Body Painting will share her experience in two WBF Workshops that she will be leading. At the 2010 WBF Academy Jinny will be instructing in Brush/Songe Application for beginners and intermediate Body Painting Artists. Jinny, who is the co-creator of Paradise Makeup AQ, will combine demonstration and hands on practice at her WBF Academy Workshop. Jinny will go from basic stroke techniques to blending and shadowing with both Sponge Makeup Applicators and Makeup Brushes and she might even delve into two new recently introduced Paradise Makeup Collection additions, Paradise Makeup AQ Prisma BlendSet Palette and the Velvety Velour Smoothy Brush. The full day workshop by Jinny will explore the tricks and techniques that she uses in incorporating the shape and size of the model body to fit the illusion created by her body art. Classes instructed by Jinny fill up early no matter where she presents them, at WBF Academy they are one of the first to be booked solid. Check with the WBF Academy to see if there is any chance that there is still a spot in the Mehron Sponsored Workshop by Jinny. Jinny will also be offering a Workshop on "Animal Illusion" sponsored by Mehron on July 14, 2010 at the WBF Academy where she will share her unique ability to use the contours of the body to create animal illusions.

The Children of FABAIC

The 2010 face and Body Art International Convention is now a memory, not only for the Professional Makeup Artists from around the world who attended, competed and enjoyed the week, but also for forty two children who will never forget their experience at FABAIC. The children classes at FABAIC were sponsored by Mehron with Mehron Team Member Kelly Virgona and Mehron Artist Mark Reid instructing. Mehron had shirts made for the 42 children who participated that read, "Future Paradise Artist", and provided each child in attendance with an eight color palette of Paradise Makeup AQ.

The children wrote letters to Mr. Martin, Martin Melik, President of Mehron thanking him for the Mehron gifts and expressing the fun they had at FABAIC.Here is a samplings of the letters to date.

This letter signed by Carolina, reads; "I love my Mehron Paints you gave me. I had so much fun at the FABAIC. I am 5 but will always remember your gift. Carolina", accompanied by a drawing of a rainbow, flowers and a heart.

The letter signed by Nico reads, "Dear Mr. Martin, You must be a mind reader because your gift was perfect. Thank you for the Mehron paints. The Fabaic was so much fun! I love your paints! Love, Nico" Nico drew a picture of a crustacean to sign off.

A third letter that was signed with only a drawing of a powerful flowers with clouds reads," Dear Mr. Martin, Thank you for the Mehron Paints that you gave me in the FABAIC young artist class. I am also proud to wear the Mehron shirt. My Mom will buy me Mehron paints now due to your generosity."

Mehron is proud to have sponsored these young artists and have Mehron Team Member Kelly Virgona from Australia and Master Body Painting Artist Mark Reid instruct them in the art of painting with Paradise Makeup AQ. These children represent the future creativity of this art form. Just as the children expressed their delight in being a part of the FABAIC young Artists program, the Mehron Team was inspired and delighted by the creative juices that flowed from these future artists.

Some of the Young Artists of FABAIC 2010 pose with Mehron Team Member Kelly Virgona, who was an instructor at the Children Classes of FABAIC 2010

Featured Artist - Mark Reid

Is a person born to be an Artist or does life create them into an Artist? In the case of tonight's Featured Artist, Mark Reid, Master Body Painter, it seems to be a combination of both. Mark Reid has either pursued Art for his entire life, or it has pursued him. Beginning as early as five years old, Mark Reid had a desire to create Art. At age 10 Mark was taking formal lessons using charcoals and paints. Coming from the wide open spaces of New Mexico, Mark's imagination had plenty of room to roam. The journey from canvas artist to Body Painting Artist might at first blush seem unusual, it is not unusual at all. Like most Body Painting Makeup Artists who took their Artistic abilities displayed on the woven fabric and transferred their visions to the human body, Mark Reid took a similar route.

In Dallas, Texas Mark Reid encountered Judy Kubik, who along with Melanie Seidsma were conducting a class in Face Painting "This was the turning point in my career.", Mark recently told the Mehron Blog. Turning his Artistic Talents to Face Painting with Makeup, Mark quickly mastered the use of Makeup to create living Art. 2004 was a pivotal year in the transition from Mark Reid, Artist, to Mark Reid, Master Body Painting Makeup Artist. Marcela Murad asked Mark Reid, Artist to do some paintings for her Magazine, adding that she would also like a Body Painting. The Artist in Mr. Reid could not turn down this opportunity even though he had not yet done a Body Painting with Makeup. Mark recently recalled this time in an interview for the Mehron Blog., "She also asked me to do a body painting. I had no idea how to go about asking a woman to take her clothes off to do this and my girlfriend refused to let me do it. I wanted to be in this magazine so bad, I had to sneak around and did the body painting on a friend. It was the greatest experience. I fell in love with it and my girlfriend left me.......".

With a talented, challenge seeking artistic soul, Mark Reid was enthusiastically absorbing the Art of Body Painting, turning out inspirational living art. Although Body Painting is an Artistic endeavor, like all Artists, the Body Painting Makeup Artist must find a way to make a living at it if they are to continue to have the freedom to pursue and perfect their Art. Mr. Reid often took on commercial Body Painting jobs and was asked to work for a Production Company in Dallas, Texas who were responsible for an event called, "Body Art Ball" Tour. Mark accepted the challenge but was startled by a phone call before the event from one of the Producers who told Mark that they would like him to paint, "jeans" on models at the Ball. Not wanting to turn the job away, Mr. Reid told the Producer that painting jeans would not be a problem. Mark tells it as, "I accepted and a week later they called and asked if I had ever painted jeans. I lied and said "Of course, I can paint great jeans." I immediately called a friend and had her come over. I painted her twice until I got it down and since then I have painted over 200 pair of jeans." Mark Reid has become a specialist in Body Painting Jeans with Paradise Makeup AQ.

Attending the 2004 Face and Body A International Convention in Orlando, FL, Mark met the President of Mehron Makeup, Martin Melik. During their conversation Mr. Melik complimented Mark's work and and offered him some Paradise Makeup AQ to try. Mark recalls this meeting, "Mr. Melik gave me some Paradise Make Up AQ to work with and I really liked it. I have been using it ever since and have promoted it all over the world." Mark has remained a friend, and an independent Mehron Makeup Artist representing Mehron Face Painting and Body Painting Makeup at Seminars, Conventions and Competitions around the world, along with using Mehron Makeup in his personal work and as an Instructor. As a Body Painting Instructor, Mark believes that Paradise Makeup AQ is the Professional Body Painting Makeup that students in his classes need to become familiar with in their quest to perfecting their Body Painting skills. "Being an Instructor, I find that it is easier to teach with Paradise Makeup AQ as it is easy for my students to use. As an Artist and competitor, they have a great selection of colors that allow me to be as creative as I want. The consistency of this make-up is perfect. Not too creamy, it blends perfectly with a sponge or brush and I get great lines using it."

Along the road to becoming a Master Body Painting Makeup Artist, Instructor and continuing to be an Artist that works on canvas, Mark Reid sought the challenge of producing a World Class Annual Body Painting Makeup Convention and Competition in North America (NABPC). 2010 saw this dream fulfilled as Mark Reid put together the First Annual North America Body Painting Convention in Las Vegas, NV, USA. Drawing the attention of Body Painting Makeup Artists, Models, Photographer and Makeup Companies from around the world, the first ever NABPC was a great success. "I was very happy with the turnout as we had almost 90 people from all over the world competing.". As a Producer, Instructor, and Body Painting Makeup Artist, Mark has an affinity for Competitive Body Painting Events, not just because he can channel his internal inspiration and the world that he perceives but also because, "Getting to paint next to someone from another country and making friends is priceless. It is not about winning for me. Once we show up and make a new friend and get inspired by someone's style or learn a new technique makes us all a winner. In 2008 I placed first in the preliminaries in Seeboden. For 2 days I was number one in the World.........I can live with that!"

Live with it he does, Mark Reid continues to blaze new trails in the Art of Makeup Body Painting as an independent Body Painting Artist, who continues to do, "Corporate Promotional events and private body paintings. I can be contacted at markreidart@aol.com or 469-235-3936", while instructing in the art of Face and Body Painting, competing around the world in Competitions, and exhibiting paintings on canvas available for sale in Philadelphia at Musher-Lovelund Studios.

Mark feels that Body Painting Art will continue to develop and grow just as it has for centuries, although he enjoys the freedom to travel to events around the world in pursuit of the Art of Body Painting, he realizes that traveling and crossing time zones constantly begins to wear on the body, time and the freedom to create. He says that he will be involved for the rest of his life in this Art that he loves, but hopes to settle into a routine and establish a School for Body Painting Art where the students will come to him and he will spend less time in the air and more time with a Body Painting Makeup Brush. He plans on continuing to perfect NABPC and looks forward to its continued growth, hoping that each year it is held will affect the lives of Artists and guide them to love the Art of Body Painting with Makeup.

For the next few years at least, look for Mark Reid at Face Painting Makeup and Body Painting Makeup Conventions, Seminars and Competitions around the world as both a seasoned Master Body Painting Makeup Artist as a teacher of the craft.

The Amazing Body Painting Makeup Art of Mark Reid, Master Body Painter.

The 2010 NABPC Winners Part 2

The Winners in the Brush and Sponge Category at the first annual 2010 North American Body Painting Championship (NABPC) were:

1. Lucie Brouillard
2. Yolanda Bartram
3. Scott Fray
4. Bella Volen
5. Athena Z

These top five Body Painters were judged the best in class in the competition held at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brush and Sponge Body Painting is accomplished with a water based cake makeup such as Paradise Makeup, AQ by Mehron. The Body Painting Artists use a combination of Makeup Brushes for detail and Sponge Applicators for larger surface color. Everyone who entered the first annual North American Body Painting Championship was a winner. Not only did they get to put their creative vision on the line, they also interacted with Body Painting Artists from around the world sharing skills and techniques which tend to make everyone better at their craft. Competitions like NABPC, a conception of Mark Reid, Master Body Painter, enables the community of world Body Painting Artists to come together in a social setting where they experience exhibitions and partake in cordial competition. As each Artist immerses themselves in their own creation they are surrounded by other Body Painting Artists with different visions and techniques. Competing for cash prizes and a Hand Made Trophy by Artist Kim Higgins, Body Painting Artists also experience the community of other Body Painting Artists at competitive events..

Competitions such as the North American Body Painting Championship shines a spotlight on the Art of Body Painting which is taking the mainstream by surprise. Body Painting Masterpieces are now common place in advertisements, at sporting events and night club parties. The guests and visitors of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino on February 11-14, 2010 witnessed the growing phenomenon of Body Painting first hand, with many astonished by the Art. The local Las Vegas Press also covered NABPC and wrote very positively about the Living Art of Body Painting.

Mehron Makeup would like to applaud all the Body Painting Artists from around the world who participated in the first annual North American Body Painting Championship, congratulate the winners in the Brush and Sponge Category and thank Mark Reid for his vision and dedication to the Art of Body Painting.

North American Body Painting Championship

Mehron Makeup is proud to be a Sponsor of the North American Body Painting Championship live from the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV February 12-14, 2010, a Mark Reid Showcase and Events Production. Over Fifty Body Painting Artists are registered to compete for $24,000 in cash prizes and the First Place Trophy in Body Painting. The Competition will encompass two Body Painting disciplines, Brush and Sponge makeup Application and Airbrush Makeup Body Painting. The Theme for the Preliminary Round in each of the categories will be "Around the World", a freestyle theme that will allow the Body Painting Artists to reach to their depths and create anything that their artistic souls can conjure up. After a selection by the judges, the Finals will have a bit more restrictive Theme, "Evolution" which will demand that the Body Painting Artists limit their creation to anything that has evolved in the last 1.4 Billion Years.

The judging will be conducted by Alex Barendregt, Founder and Organizer of the World BodyPainting Festival in Seeboden, Austria, along with Raphaelle and Gary Fieldhouse, both International Instructors living in Wales where Raphaelle keeps his two World Bodypainting Championships. One of the preeminent judges from the Seeboden Festival, Flippo Ioco will also be sitting in judgment at the North American Body Painting Championships in Las Vegas. Rounding out the panel of judges at this premier of the North American Body Painting Championships are three former World BodyPainting Champions and International Instructors in the Art of Body Painting, Craig Tracy, Nick Wolfe and Brian Wolfe. This prestigious panel of judges means that the Artists vying for the North American Body Painting Championship will have to reach to the depths of their creative abilities.

To get the creative juices flowing and to relieve the tension for the Body Painting Artists, Models and Judges, Mehron Makeup will be presenting an Opening Night After Party at Rio, All-Suite Hotel at 10:00 PM with a Voo Doo Theme, which will feature Master Body Painter Mark Reid. All North American Body Painting Championship participants are welcome to attend, network, relax and get in the Voo Doo spirit.

There is still time to book a flight and grab a room for this first ever Live North American Body Painting Championship and be a witness to live Art created on the Body Canvas by Body Painting Makeup Artists from around the World. If you can't attend there is a Live Web Cast being planned. Stay tuned to the Mehron Blog during the month of February for photos from the talented artists who enter this Las Vegas Body Painting Competition.