Australian Body Art Festival

Danielle Taylor, Event Manager, and I recorded this interview a few days after the festival and had a great time discussing the highlights, surprises and enjoyment has over the weekend. So much time, effort and money goes in to creating this festival and much appreciation must be shown to the sponsors, volunteers, artists, models and of course Kerrie and Danielle for all their organising and support to ensure the festival went off without a hitch!!! The biggest appreciation goes out to all the visitors for your support, encouragement and involvement each and every visitor helped make the festival amazing for all!!! Until next year, say safe and well!

Billie Baxter not only won the overall Noosa Outback Surf Art category but was awarded People’s Choice as well. Billie's piece captured the imagination of so many over the weekend with its stand out feature being the infinity mirror. All of the surf art pieces were auctioned off at the end of the festival and Billie was able to meet the new owner of her surfboard which was a highlight for her.

This year we have seen many young artists excelling at the festival! Lorien is one of those artists and has taken out the overall winner for the Wearable Art category with the support of her brother Oliver as her model. Lorien has been a multi-award winner at Mary Valley Art Festival, was artist in residence at the 2017 Australian Body Art Festival creating a beautiful piece using ink and watercolour and in 2019 she received Highly Commended in the Wearable Art category which was her first time competing at the Australian Body Art Festival.

Fran and her model Alicia were the very proud winners of the Airbrush competition and it was a tight competition indeed! Fran and her models work so hard together to create and bring Fran’s creations to life. Taking out two wins this year has been an honour for Fran and we can’t wait to see her next year!

Follow Fran and her work by clicking the links below:

Face Painting Winner – Mason Whitton

Congratulations to Mason Whitton, at the tender age of 18 he has entered the competition with a bang!!! Mason has taken out People’s Choice and has been awarded the overall winner for the Face Painting category. Listen to Mason and his model Josephine tell us about the final concept, what it’s like to be a model and how he will be celebrating this wonderful achievement!

Special Effects Winner – Fran Catford

It was a clean sweep for Fran and her model, Jess, in the Special Effects category this year. Fran won People’s Choice and was the overall winner for this category and Jess was awarded Best Model. Before you listen to this episode, pop over to Fran’s or the Festival’s social media to find a photo of Fran’s winning piece as you will be able to see the features she is describing. Her work will come to life right in front of your eyes!

Follow Fran and her work by clicking the links below:

Brush and Sponge 2021 Winner – Ayesha Henderson

Congratulations to Ayesha Henderson for winning both the People’s Choice Award and the overall winner for Brush and Sponge! In this episode hear how Ayesha come to the world of Body Art Painting and where you can follow along with all her work. Ayesha’s concept is detailed and really gets your imagination going. Look out for Ayesha’s work in the Face Painting category on Sunday 11th April.

Follow Ayesha and her work by clicking the links below:

Nadia Vanek

Congratulations to Nadia for winning this year’s Speed UV Painting category with her gorgeous model Lily. Listen to Nadia describe her final concept and view her work on the festival’s social media platforms. We also hear from Lily on what it is like to be a model for such a unique art form.

Follow Nadia and her work by clicking the links below:

Fran Catford

In this episode we hear from well-known Body Artist Fran Catford. Fran will be competing in multiple categories in this year’s festival and has amazing concepts to tell you about. Do pop over to Fran’s socials to view her work while listening to Fran describe what makes her such a stand out artist.

Follow Fran and her work by clicking the links below:

Robyn will be competing in the Special Effects and UV Painting categories. With an extensive portfolio and many years of experience in the Body Art industry, Robyn not only tells us about her and her concepts but how the industry has evolved. Robyn’s alien is going to be like no other you have ever seen.

Kassy is entering the Noosa Outback Surf Art category. Kassy is a Sunshine Coast Artist living her dream career and she gives us a glimpse in to her life in this episode. We also hear the story behind her board and the unique features you should be looking for when viewing her piece.

Sam Lahy is competing in the Face Painting and the Brush and Sponge category. She really enjoys the spontaneity and temporary nature of body painting. Her art’s here for a good time, not a long time! -so make sure you check her out.

Andra Budaie is an experienced artist competing in the Face Painting and UV competitions. She’s exploring themes of spiritual journey, the subconscious and a non linear concept of time. View her art with an open mind and spirit for a next level experience.

Follow Andra at the links below:

One of our youngest competitors in the Face Painting category this year is 18 year old Mason Whitton. He’s combining his passions for make up, fashion and marine biology to create his masterpiece. This up and coming artist is surely one to watch. 

You will be able to see Katie’s work in the Face Painting and Brush and Sponge categories this year. Although a very experienced Artist this is Katie’s first year competing in the Festival and she is very excited to catch up with Artists and friends she has missed due to COVID. Katie’s concepts are certainly going to capture your imagination and attention.

Giorgia will be competing in Face Painting and Brush and Sponge categories. Giorgia takes you on a journey through her concepts and recent changes in her life in this episode. This is Giorgia’s first year entering the Festival so please pop up to her and say hi to show your support.

Billie is one of our Artists submitting her work in the Noosa Outback Surf Art category. Billie shares her personal story in this episode as well as the meaning behind her work. Be sure to listen out for the extra special aspects of her surfboard Billie would like to draw your eye to.

Pop up and say hello to Billie during the festival to connect with her.

Denise will be entering in to the Wearable Art category. Listen in this episode to Denise share her passion for reusing and recycling and how she incorporates those materials in her work.

Nadia will be participating in the Special Effects and UV Painting categories. In this episode Nadia tells us about her background, how she found the world of Body Art Painting and explains the concepts of her creations for this year’s Festival.

Wendy will be entering in Face Painting and Brush and Sponge categories. While you’re watching Wendy create her masterpieces, listen to this episode as she describes her concepts. You will also gain a delightful glimpse into Wendy the Artist.  

After the challenges 2020 has posed, most of us would like to travel to a time before or after Covid-19! That might be something we can't do, but one thing we are determined to do is to hold a fantastic 2021 Australian Body Art Festival (ABAF) with a theme of Time Travel!  So lock in the dates of 9th to 11th April!

Listen as Danielle Taylor, Event Manager for ABAF, in this episode gives you the inside scope on all the excitement and events that will be taking place! Artists will be competing in: Airbrush, Brush & Sponge, Special Effects, Face Painting, Junior Face Painting, Wearable Art, Surfboard Art and UV Painting.

Spectators: