Image courtesy of Mark Reid
The Demonstrators
Presenting Cat Finlayson...
Hi I'm Cat, Cat Finlayson, Scottish Cat, Cat the Rainbow Face-Painting Fairy, Cat from Hong Kong…however you know me!
There are a few Cats/ Kats around in the face paint world so use any of the above as long as Cat is with a C:)
When spending a year teaching science in a zoo, I was told that as I had an art degree too, I would do face painting as part of my job. I was terrified, they had terrible kit but I was hooked. A few years later, working for the Wildlife Trusts, they asked if I could still do it - I tried, still loved it, so started a part time business in 2006. Just as I went full-time, hubby found his dream job teaching sailing in Hong Kong, and we moved out there to live on a boat.
So I have been trying to spread the word on good practice and safe paints in China, which has been interesting, frustrating and rewarding. I began bodypainting at the end of 2007. I love it all and have been lucky enough to compete and/ or place in some amazing events in China, the EU and NZ (including being invited as the UK rep at the Shanghai BodyPainting Festival '09).
I face paint for most of the huge events that happen in HK, as well as the incredibly over-the-top kids parties they like. I mainly body paint for promotions, photo shoots and the public occasions. I'm the lead artist for the HK Rugby 7s (meant to be the sport's premiere tournament) so I'm bomb proof at big busy crowded events.
My latest craze is big impact full body glitter tattoos, a fairly new idea I have been tinkering with that goes down a storm with club dancers and performers. It is definitely addictive - every time I brush off the glitter to reveal the pattern I start squealing like a kid! It will be one of the classes I run.
I'm really happy to get to be at the convention again - I missed out getting to demonstrate at it in 2008 (as a winner the year before) as I was (literally) having a baby! I'm looking forward to catching up with painters I have met online and in the flesh from around the world, and am hoping that after meeting more of you in class I won't be as shy as I can get when I'm not demonstrating/ sharing ideas.
Please come and say hi!
Cat x
Face paint etc: http://catscreations.co.uk/
Body Painting/ Full Body Glitter Tattoos etc: http://bodypaintingbycat.com (coming end of March)
Details coming soon...