Her art work shows naked models covered in a host of flamboyant and colourful designs. She was judged on her use of colour, originality and relevance to the theme as well as the overall look of her model which was created using water-based paints.
Carolyn spent months making individual plaster casts and latex moulds, designed to fit her model Barry Bloomfield, a former Queens guard (selected because he was used to standing still).
However, her preparation was seriously hampered by two falls which left her hospitalised and then on crutches for six weeks. Despite this setback, Carolyn managed to get everything finished literally the night before she left for Austria where she spent seven hours painting her subject.
After studying Art and Design and Beauty Therapy at Suffolk College, one of the tutors noticed Carolyn’s artistic ability and suggested a career as a make-up artist. Carolyn then enrolled at West Thames College in London and took a 2 year HND in Specialist Hair and Make-up.
Following her victory, Carolyn paid tribute to her education. “I would say that taking my Suffolk College tutor’s advice and moving to London was a massive life changing experience,” she said. “Graduating from West Thames College with an HND in Specialist Hair and Make-up gave me the courage to start my own freelance business. It hasn’t always been easy but I’ve received a lot of support and advice from the tutors, which has been a great help to me.”
Since graduating in 2004 Carolyn moved to Greenwich and set up her own make-up and body art business. She is now recognised as one of the UK’s leading body artists and has built up a large client base including the BBC, Sky, Panasonic and The National Lottery.
She regularly works with Storm Thorgerson who is the artistic genius behind all the Pink Floyd album covers and, more recently, Muse and Biffy Clyro.
The festival is held every July in the town of Seeboden, Carinthia and attracts more than 23.000 visitors over the weekend. More than 100 artists from 40 countries compete in different categories including 'Brush and Sponge', 'Airbrush' and 'Special Effects.' Carolyn is the only person to win awards in two seperate categories in the history of the competition.
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