Interview of Ferenc Hottya (English version)

I met Ferenc during several body-art shows/competitions and I was so impressed by his work that I did not dare ask him for an interview! Until now...

Check his web site: http://www.artofcolours.at and also www.Bodypainting-Magazine.com

 

Question 1. : A few words about the country, town or village where you live; do you have children?; what kind of studies you have done or your profession. What is your artistic background? What do you like most in life? Ferenc We live in Judenburg a little Town in (Styria) Austria. I have a daugther (6 month old) she is our sunshine!!! Studies.....I have a Higher School Certificate (in Building Highschool) it is like a structural engineering! But after the school I learned to be an optician and I worked 11 years as an optician! But during the whole period of high school, I learnt graphic and drawing and painting in a school ( evening) because I needed it!!! :-) So after eleven years sunglasses :-) I start to taste the airbrush ...and after 6 month I made my first ...not so good :-) vernissage!! After this I worked on my own as an artist!!! And this "virus" I still have today also!!! :-) I make a few exhibitions but my way as an airbrusher was "stamped" with the first body painting event! The second ...I won in 2000 I was European Champion in Airbrush and body painting! So from this time I was on the stage every year between 1 and 3 rd place! I think is not so bad for a "beginner" ! :-) What I like most....the life himself but just in combination with my wife Lena and my daughter Edina and the freedom to choose myself which direction I want to take!!!!!!

Question 2. : Are you a make-up professional? Do you give courses? Any other artistic activities? Ferenc No I am not a professional make-up guy!!!! My definition is simple ..Artist.. Airbrush Styler.. Body painter ..! This kind of status give me the possibility to be creative and not doing everyday the same! It is my only job, but I don't see it as a job.. ..I see it as my life!!! Yes, I make sometimes workshops but I almost take care about the people who want to learn because they love it and not so much for the people who see dollars in this art! If you talk with the customers you feel it who want to be rich very quickly and who show interest for this art! Also I give some hours in a well-known cosmetic school in Vienna ! It is a very beautiful time what we spend with the students!!! But in compensation for the art I paint abstract paintings on canvas! I love it and I saw a good abstract painting is not just splish splash!!!! Is more than this!!! And now one of my best taker is one of the biggest Steel industry company of the world! I am proud to be their artist!!! And not at least I started a new event "World Art Connects" ! The idea behind is to show the world that 5 artist can work and paint together on one stage without making any unfair competition! And the second important thing is they are all body painter who paint canvas and not models! So the second idea behind is to show the world of body painting is art made from artists and not only bodies they are red or other colours! You can see some pictures under my page : www.worldartconnects.com ! A few elite artists!!!! It was a beautiful day and we get friendships between us and no competitive stuff! All of this five are friends for ever! Is this not the most important thing????

Question 3. How have you discovered body painting? Describe the circumstances. How did you start doing body painting your self? Have you done a lot or a few? Have you participed in events, competition? Which ones? Ferenc You can read some answers above, but everything is destiny!!! How many body paintings I havemade ? Cannot tell you they are over one hundred or more!! I make the 1st event in Seeboden and there was nothing big just a few artists the second year I was inhibited But the 3rd year in 2000 I was European Champion in airbrush, 2001 vice European Champion, 2002 Vice World Champion, 2003 3rd place World Award and 2004 with my friend (artconnects ;) Craig Tracy USA 3rd place World Award!!! Question 4. What do you like most in body painting? What do you find most difficult? What products do you use (paints and accessories for special effects)? What is your inspiration? How do you find ideas for new body paintings? Ferenc I like Body painting as body painting!!! Most difficult is what I don’t do like painting just with sponge and brush ! I am fascinated by some painters who can make shades with brush like some with airbrush!!!! Or can hide a person in a wall ..like invisible!!! That 's great! About the products I don't want to speak just like that because is advertising stuff, but I use almost everything (cosmetic proved) I can shoot through my 0,16 Gun! But last month I used brushes also and other tools to paint what I see in my imagination! The inspiration ? the model is a very important muse and because I am an instant painter I never think weeks before I paint ! Everyday is a new day a new situation a new feeling so I can not know twp day before what I feel and I see in the models body !!! The theme is important and I can change the motive inside my working time!!!! So I have not a lot of stress just the night before think about ..everything is in my case will be enough light is the model there did they give some juice or water to the model did take a breakfast the model is warm for the model ?...these are the important questions ! I will paint as good as I can. The ideas for my painting are the words from the themes and the form of the body from my models!!! and also my current state of mind ! happy themes action themes!!!! Pleasure? Oh No!!!

Question 5. Do you always work with the same model? How do you choose a model? Describe your relationship with the model during the work.Do you have your own studio? Do you work a lot home? Do you work sometimes outdoor? Have you already been painted? How did you feel? Did you like it? Ferenc The same models: yes and no! Some models are a part of my history and we have a very good relationship but a lot of models come and go! I try to get new faces and I try to get new Muse & but it is not so easy! It is like the story with the students: some girls want to make money and some like to be a model and some are good to be model for Body painting! They are a lot of little criteria’s ! but the most important thing they must to like to be painted and they must to know what a great work we ( painter) are doing! So they must to wear our art with honour! I don 't under-appreciate their hard work! The models have the hardest job between us! We the painter are creative but the models must be still during the painting so congratulation to every model!!!! Outdoor: yes I have a lot of work outdoor but I like most to work in my studio alone with the model and team because I don’t must to answer thousand questions all the day..! so I can concentrate myself on my work! I get a face painting but I love the world and I know what is the sense of beauty and I am a better artist as a model! I found the face painting funny but I am a painter!!

Question 8. Can you tell us about your plans and needs about body painting.Things that you would like to do and have not done yet? Ferenc: Yes !!! I want to establish body painting , because I feel that a lot of people don’t understand the meaning of this art! They make the connection between nakedness and colour!!!!!! My combination is colours-beautiful lines-and living canvas!!! The shortest living artwork ever! Hours of painting and seconds of shower!!!! And this is the reason why I start the ultimate www.Bodypainting-Magazine.com !! This will show tothe world how fascinating is our art and how multifaceted is this family ! Please be a member of this wonderful art scene !!! Coloured greeting, Ferenc! Robert: thank you very much, Ferenc, for your enthusiasm and everything you do!

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