Hi,

My name is Maria Mormile and I am the Director and Producer of the Australian Body Art Awards and Queer Canvas.  I started on my Face/Body painting journey 5 years ago and after hundreds of hours of practice, I soon realised that I had become very passionate about this unique and extraordinary art form. I was so driven by it, that I traveled the world in order to compete and develop my skills as a Face and Body Artist. It didn’t take me long to realise that Australia needed its very own National Competition and learning center.

                                                                            VIDEO 

This video of the very first Australian Body Art Awards which was held in Williamstown in 2010.  It started as a one day event with 3 competition categories & 20 Body Artists.  A Face/Body Painting Convention was added to the event in 2011.  Now there are 3 days of competitions and 3 days of Convention as well as Pre & Post Convention classs.  In 2011 there were 44 Face/Body Artists and over 70 models competing in 7 competition categores. The ABAA  is now  held in Daylesford annually.  

                 2010 The Australian Body Art Awards - Photography Matt Willis - Contrasting View

                                                  www.australianbodyartawards.com.au

My goal is to continue to provide a learning and sharing environment where the industry will grow, so that this art form becomes highly sought after and the standards of Australian artists are revered to be amongst the best in the world. This is partially achieved by bring out overseas artist to Australia in order to share new techniques and ideas with our industry. In 2012 the extraordinary talented Bella Volen from Austria will be a Judge and Instructor at the ABAA as well as Yolanda Bartram (Wold Champion Special FX) from New Zealand & Heather Aguilera from the U.S.

I live in Daylesford which has a significant Gay and Lesbian community and this project is a tribute to love and creation in all its forms. It is with great pride, joy and excitement that we bring to you.........Queer Canvas!!! An All Male Gay Body Painting Calendar. Queer Canvas is a collaborative project with 12 of the finest Body Artists throughout Australia, up and coming models and professional photographers. It is produced by The Australian Body Art Awards. A special thank you to all the Artists, Models and Photographers who have given their time to create this calendar and congratulations to Ambah O'Brien (Artist), Andy Inglis (Model) and Lisa Law Photographer for their great work in creating the picture you see in this profile for "Queer Canvas".  The proceeds from pozible will contribute to the printing and graphics of "Queer Canvas". 

                                                             Lisa Law Photography

There are 12 photos, one for each month. The proceeds of the calendar would all go to The Australian Body Art Awards & Face/Body Painting Convention. (www.australianbodyartawards.com.au). There are 12 themes in the calendar consisting of single gay men and couples. The photos have a slightly sensual feel to them. The vision is to project the beauty and sensuality of gay love and attraction through body painting which will encompass both fantasy and reality.

This is a professional project. Some of the most talented Body Artists in Australia are painting for this Calendar. Artists are from Victoria, W.A., Adelaide and N.S.W. Most of these Artists are instructors for The Australian Body Art Awards.

In a few short years The ABAA has become Australia's Face & Body Painting event of the year!!! It is the centre of the Australian Face & Body Art community and has a week of National Face & Body Painting competitions. There are competitions in several categories, Shows (painted models stage performance) as well as the Face/Body Painting Convention. Competition Categories are, Body Painting, UV Body Painting, Costume Painting, Special FX, Airbrushing and Face Painting. The event is held in Daylesford annually and is the only National Australian Face/Body Painting Championship that is affiliated with the World Body Painting Association.

          2011 Winner - Body Art (Brush & Sponge) Jess Miller, Model Jess Bloom, Photographer Tim Tam

Show ticket holders are able to view the living canvas unfold during the competitions as the Body Artists paint their models on Friday the 20^th and Saturday the 21^st of April in 2012. Friday’s theme is “Cabaret” and Saturday’s theme is “The Future”.

                       Body Artist Amy Grigg ABAA Judge & Instructor - photography: Images at Marlo

The Convention side of the event attracts a diverse selection of various classes from our uniquely talented Australian and overseas instructors. 

In 2012 the extraordinary talented Bella Volen from Austria will be a Judge and Instructor at the ABAA as well as Yolanda Bartram (Wold Champion Special FX) from New Zealand & Heather Aguilera from the U.S.