Hi Travelers,

Have you noticed that store shelves are already stocking Halloween décor, costumes and bulk candy?  So, it must be time to get thinking creatively about what your Halloween persona will be.  Have you ever considered a Halloween body paint costume? Or of hosting your own “Fantasy Fest" style Halloween party. 

Not familiar with Fantasy Fest?  It’s a 10-day party in Key West, Florida that began back in 1979 and has grown to where revelers from across the globe bring their creative body painting and costuming skills to display in parades and other planned events.

Here’s a bit of history on body painting… Body painting with clay and other natural pigments existed in tribal cultures for millennia and still survives in this ancient form among the indigenous people of Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and parts of Africa.  In fact scholars believe body painting actually predates the first cave paintings by tens or possibly hundred of thousands of the years. 

More recently however, since the 1960s, body painting has enjoyed a revival, or Renaissance of sorts throughout Western Society.

So, wanna get started in honing your body painting skills?  Last year I provided some tips, which deserve repeating so you can win the “best body paint costume” prize.

Here they are…

  • Use a non-toxic water-based body paint made especially for painting on skin. (It won’t clog your pores and is easy to remove.) Make sure you have a drop cloth in place.
  • Test on a small patch of skin first if you have sensitive skin.
  • If you’re not confident with your free-form art skills, consider using a stencil or temporary tattoo to guide you along as you outline your drawing with a thin brush.
  • To fill in your design, use a thicker brush or sponge. It makes blending colors a breeze.
  • Give yourself plenty of time for the paint to completely dry before donning clothes or sitting/leaning against furniture and appliances.
  • To remove, follow instructions on the paint can.  This is usually done with simple soap and water or make up remover. Though your paint may require a specially formulated paint remover.

If you can’t make it to Key West, you can visit clubs and resorts affiliated with the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR.com) and find the dates on their respective calendars for Costume Parties where body painting reigns.  Visit: https://www.aanr.com/club-locator/.

Now go out and express your free spirit with some art therapy fun. 

Naturally yours,