I started exploring body art in 2008 when I was asked by a photographer to do a face painting for one of his models. 2011 I had the idea of putting someone into one position and painting an animal on it and it worked very well. Since then I am doing body art all over the world for different projects like music videos, fairs, shows, events, art and also for private clients. Additionally, I am doing art exhibitions in galleries or museums with some of my favorite works as prints, that are for sale. In 2016 I even could quit my main job as an art therapist to completely focus on my art.
I love this kind of art, because the human body as a canvas is inspiring and challenging. I always have to deal with a 3D canvas, with lights and shadows, positions and proportions. A body painting takes between 4 to 10 hours and I have to finish the same day, which can be exhausting and stressful. It is very important to care well for the model, because they need to feel healthy, eat, drink and go to the toilet. Especially holding a position for a while can take lots of energy or even be painful. Usually, I start sketching outlines on the body while in the exact pose and then paint the whole thing in a different, relaxing position, so it is not so harmful to the model. Only for the photo, the model has to get into the pose.
Body painting is an art for only a short moment. Shortly after the photo session, the work of hours will be washed away forever. I use professional body painting colours, which are made for human skin and don´t feel itchy during the long day. They can easily be removed by a shower and some soap.
In times of Covid -19 and lockdown body painting is currently not allowed in Germany. So of course as many (makeup-) artists I can´t wait to work again and hope for more art, events, shows and exhibitions in the following years. ~ Gesine Marwedel
Deer – Photographer Mark Ruppelt
Deer – Photographer Mark Ruppelt
Flamingo -Photographer Thomas van de Wall
Horse – Photographer Mark Ruppelt
Body canvas painting Mandarin Duck – Photographer Mark Ruppelt
Blue Bird Bodypainting and Photo: Gesine Marwedel
Turtle – Photo Gesine Marwedel
Swan in the lake – photo Peter Marwedel
Rhino – Photographer Mark Ruppelt
Seahorse – Photo Thomas van de wall
Dandelion – Benjamin Ebert
Flower – Photographer Mark Ruppelt
Snowflake -Photographer Mark Ruppelt
Corona – Photo Gesine Marwedel
Body Painting and Photo: Gesine Marwedel
Pigeon Body Painting and Photo: Gesine Marwedel
