In the flesh

by Eva Dameron

Daily Lobo

Painted people will become an art exhibit on Saturday.

A body-painting festival at Factory on 5th will have live music, nude models to paint on and lots of food.

Pam Trent, co-founder of the event, said the public should realize body painting is an art.

She said some people are uneasy with the idea because of the sexual undertones associated with painting a nude body.

"Many cultures have done it for many years, but it's almost a taboo art," Trent said. "Once you go past the face and start painting somebody's leg, arm, back, breast - you have some real fine lines to walk."

She said nothing is more beautiful than the human body covered in art. Half the time, one cannot tell the body is nude.

"You don't even see the body anymore," she said. "They've got something painted on them that looks like a piece of clothing or a canvas."

Trent runs a face-painting business. She said there was a huge split among the students when she decided they were going to do nude body painting.

"Two of my key people left because they couldn't handle it," she said. "We lost about a third of our members."

She said she hopes this event will help people feel more comfortable with their bodies.

"Hopefully people won't be so stuffy about it," she said.

She said the painters will use FDA-approved hypoallergenic paints that must be special-ordered. Paints and brushes will be available free of charge for people who want to paint.

"We have to buy them online from Mehron Paint - the oldest theatrical paint company in the world," she said.

The paint is a water-soluble liquid makeup that dries without cracking.

The musicians will also be painted in a 1960s psychedelic style with a black light to make the colors glow. Attendees who want to can be painted in the same fashion as the musicians.

Both male and female models will be available for painting.

"Each gender will have to wear G-strings to keep it legal," she said. "We're being a little bit safe this time."

People are also encouraged to bring a dish to share.

She said it is one thing to talk about it, but it is different to be there, because people can see the art appearing on the bodies, everyone's excitement and the music.

"It's Woodstock all over," she said, laughing.

Attendees must be 18 years or older, and no alcohol will be allowed. Also, the public will not be permitted to photograph the event because the models have to sign a release form.

She said the New Mexico Body Painting Festival, the group responsible for the event, passed out about 600 fliers and e-mailed people.

"I'm just hoping that we have a great turnout and that they're curious enough to come see," she said.