Celeste Strewe talks Body Art

Written by Emma Whitlock

Talented artist Celeste Strewe loves film and art so she put the two together to become a body paint artist for the film & tv industries. She has since worked on the Australian TV hospital drama 'All Saints', 'Underworld 3 Rise of the Lycans' and WW2 feature film 'Journey of a Story'.

Here she answers MORPH's 10 Questions:

How did you decide to commit to body-painting as a profession? Was there someone or something which inspired you to take it up?

When I was a student at The Cut Above Academy one of the tutors asked if anyone wanted to enter the NZ Body Art Awards, I said I would. I didn't really have a clue what it entailed but thought “hey I'll give it a go!” When I won Best Emerging Artist & Runner up in the Fantasy Spfx catergory I was really, really surprised and from then on I was hooked on body art. This year will be my fifth year entering NZBAA.

I trained as a makeup artist and mainly work on films but also music videos, TV commercials, photo-shoots anything else that requires a makeup artist.

What skills and attributes does it take to be a great body paint artist?

A vivid imagination for starters plus being able to stick at it because sometimes it can take eight hours non-stop painting. There are a lot of different techniques to be learned and mastered...I'm still learning and unfortunately you really do learn from your mistakes.

Did you learn the techniques you use in school or are you a self-taught artist?

I learnt the basics at The Cut Above but have since done several short courses in face painting and prosthetic making. I learnt about hair & wigs at The Makeup School. I have worked as an assistant to other makeup artists so have learnt lots on the job.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get my inspiration for my body art mainly from nature & mythology.

From all the body and face painting you have done, what is your favourite ‘piece’ and why?

I don't really have any favourites because they are all different and I went through different processes and frustrations with all of them. Some were more successful than others but it is not until they are completed and I am looking at photographs thinking “I should have done this or that.” But there is always next time.

In terms of your accomplishments, which do you consider to be most significant?

My most significant accomplishment? Well I still feel I have so much to learn. Ask me that question again in 10 years time and I might have an answer!

How would you describe your practice? Is it a profession, a passion, a calling?

I would describe my practice as a profession with passion...you've got to have a passion for it!

What is your vision for your career?

My vision for my career is to be a successful and sought-after makeup artist.

Aside from painting bodies/faces, what else do you enjoy?

I really enjoy working on movies or TV series especially the big budget ones with sets built to look like a village square, a castle dungeon, a Roman arena or an outside scene when in fact everyone, including horses, are inside a huge studio!

It constantly amazes me how all these people with different skills can pull together to make a film. Needless to say I love going to films as well. I pretty much enjoy all genres.

What else do I enjoy.... I love reading, museums, art galleries. I support The Sea Shepherd, SAFE, Forest & Bird, WWF; conservation is very important to me.

I live on the West Coast of Auckland so swimming in the summer and walking on the beach in winter are also a big part of my life.

How can people find you if they want to know more?

People can contact me by email if they want to know more: angriff(at)xtra.co.nz