Interview of Maria Blasco Ribera (English version)

I met Maria Blasco Ribera during the body painting competition at B.I.F.F.F. in Brussels (Belgium) on 29 March 2008.

 

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? Maria I’m 28 years old, I was born in Spain in a city onthe Mediterranean coast called Castellón. The weather is always fine and people are friendly and easy-going. I have a diploma in hairdressing, artistic makeup and special effects for the cinema and  TV. I like painting, in fact I have always loved it since I was child. I have been to painting school where I discovered the world of colours .I love any kind of art and being able to express myself creatively. Question 2. : Are you a make-up professional? Do you give courses? Any other artistic activities? Maria I’m a freelance professional makeup artist, I have been employed for shorts, fashion show, for TV  and at the moment I’m working in the make-up departament of a small circus company. I like artistic work but I have also worked in other fields (beauty, special effects, characterization). Now I am interested in special effects for the cinema.

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? Maria I discovered bodypainting at school where I studied makeup ( STICK ART STUDIO in Barcelona)  I saw for the first time the works of art that I could do with a naked body. It was there that I did my first bodypainting. My first event was World Bodypainting Festival 2006 in Seeboden (Austria), then Bifff 2007 in Brussels and finally Bifff 2008 in Brussels. 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? Maria What I like in bodypainting is  the transformation of the naked body into a work of living art. The greatest difficulty is to work under pressure and with a limited time in the competition and sometimes, I am very critical about my own work. I use all sorts of materials for bodypainting, airbrush, and  masks for special effects. I always have a lot of imagination  but I help my inspiration with nature and  science fiction  and I search information Internet, books, museums, painting exhibitions etc. and then I try to make my own new creative work.

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? Maria No I haven’t any preference I often work with different models and I try to treat my models with the highest respect because, in my opinion the model is as important as the painter for the result of the bodypainting. I consider it is best if the model´s breats are not too big and if she is not too fat.  During the work I try  the model to feel comfortable. I am always, speaking to and explaining my work so that she understands what I am doing. I have a little space in my house for making-up before the event. I feel at ease while I am making-up I love it and it is a very exciting experience for me.

Question 6.- (question to the model) How do you feel when you are painted? Confortable,uneasy, clothed, naked? Was it difficult the first time or not? Do you give suggestions or opinions while you are being painted, or you don't say anything about the work while your father paints? Which body painting has left you with the best memories? Where was it and why? Model: I didn´t feel very well at first but little by little I felt more comfortable and confident and quite enjoyable it. It is vital to feel relaxed because this job is very detailed and it takes a lot of hours, but I definitely prefer painting to being painted.   Question 7. (Question to the body painter) How do you feel during and after a body painting ? Maria: During a body painting session I feel excited and a little nervous because I try  to do my best, and everything has to be perfect and I have to finish it in a very limited lapse of time but when I finish and I see the results I feel really proud of myself, happy and lucky.   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? Maria: At the moment I am getting ready for World Bodypainting Festival 2008 (14-20 July) in Seeboden (Austria) which is the largest event in the body painting field. Artists from 40 nations worldwide take part. I would also go to the first World Bodypainting Festival 2008 in Daegu (Korea). I´am trying to get the best results in special effects and I´d like to work in feature films Robert: thank you very much, Maria, for your enthusiasm and everything you do!

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