If you're still unsure about how to do your makeup for the upcoming All Souls Procession, we have the Instagram account for you.Β
Tucson artist Adela Antoinette has used face and body painting skills to transform everyday people into ferocious werewolves, courageous luchadores, and underwater creatures.Β
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Antoinette is a freelance illustrator and owner of Adela Antoinette Face and Body Painting.
Most recently, she showcased her makeup abilities in a photo project called the "Historic Artist Self-Portrait Face Painting Project," where she dressed herself up as notable artists using face paint.
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In addition to using the human body as a canvas, she often posts her illustration work to her Instagram account.Β
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Here's what Adela had to say about her life, on and off the internet.Β
How long have you lived in Tucson?
I moved to Tucson when I was five. Went to Sunnyside High School, Pima Community College and then made my way to Orlando for four years working for a face painting company contracted with Disney, Universal, and Sea World. I moved back in 2011 to finish my BFA at the University of Arizona (just graduated in May). So the short answer is about 21 years.
What made you start an Instagram account?
I love the idea of expressing myself through a visual outlet. I love being able to share my work and artsy things in an artsy way. I'm not great with words so my Twitter is scarce and my FB is more promotional.
What do you like taking photos of?
I enjoy sharing fun events in Tucson, along with sharing my work β including face painting. October in the art world has been established as InkTober, a challenge created by Jake Parker on Instagram where you sketch something using ink everyday, so many recent posts have been InkTober drawings. I also like to post process photos and gallery openings.
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We notice you post some of your artwork, what inspires you to create and share with others?
Social media can be a wonderful tool. I share for myself but I have also seen that my work inspires and is enjoyable for others. I also have been able to get more freelance work. It's fun and mostly a positive environment!
You have incredible face and body painting skills; how did you get started? What do you enjoy about it?
Thank you! I enjoy what I do. I learned some skills working for that face painting company in Florida. I worked at the theme parks and painted my own face everyday I was scheduled to work. I love it for many reasons. People hire me for kids birthday parties, company events and individual appointments. I get to transform people (the kids love it!) into something else. They become the character or at least leave my chair feeling different and happy. I get to meet new people throughout Tucson and have repeating customers who turn friends for years.
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What are some of your favorite looks youβve done?
I love turning kids into animals! They roar, purr, bark, moo... haha. It's the best! I also love zombie designs.
Itβs All Souls Procession weekend, what advice do you have for someone who wants to dress up and participate in the event?
This event is a Tucson favorite. I love it! The main thing behind the dress and the makeup is that we are coming together as a community and family to celebrate the lives lived from those we have lost. With that said, dress however you feel honors this for you.
For makeup, you come to me and I'll paint you up! Haha! I'll be with with my friend, Henry Cortez, painting faces at Mercado San Agustin before the procession. There are also hot spots full of face painters posted up at Che's, Tap and Bottle, Hotel Congress, and Johnny Gibson's. You can also paint your own face! It's super fun!
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What do you hope people take away from your images?
Humor, joy, understanding. Most things I post are light-hearted. Sometimes I get deep and personal. I have been inspired by other Instagrams and artists. If they can help me in many ways, why not be real with my posts too? Who knows who you can help, touch or inspire through relatable visual content. You're not alone and we are all human.
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Who else do you like to follow on Instagram?
I tend to follow people that put thought into their posts. Stuff that you don't normally see on FB or Snapchat. I follow up-and-coming artists, local artists/musicians, art/culture magazines, galleries, foodies, and Tucson related pages. This city rocks and I love when people can visually express how awesome it is.
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