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Introducing the talented and extraordinary Jen Seidel!
Jen Seidel
Photography by Roy Cox
Introducing Jen Seidel, an extraordinary and extremely talented artist from Baltimore, MD, who is not only making headways but is making many stop and stare. Her talents are clearly innate and her expressions of art to all of us are priceless.
WMIFF Magazine is pleased to share with you our interview with Jen, who has graciously offered to share her beautiful works of art with all of us. If you ever get the chance to work with her in the futue, you will be more then pleased, as you will be presented with one of the world's hidden treasures.
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Photography by Clark Vandergrift
WMIFF MAG - When did you first get interested in body painting? Did you already have a artistic background? Can you please describe?
Jen Seidel - I have always been an artist, as I truly believe it's genetic and runs through my blood. I was told that when I was an infant, my mother would seat me in my play seat and I would watch her paint murals on the walls at home. Over time, I would watch her create works of art, not only in our home but on her clients with makeup as well.
At that point in time, my parents formulated a break through camouflage line of products called Natural Cover by Linda Seidel as seen on TV and www.LindaSeidelpro.com. It is now Linda Seidel Cosmetics. Their formulary continues to help people with skin imperfections and conditions such as; Vitiligo, Burns and scars from accidents, surgeries, birthmarks, acne, Rosacea, dark circles and more. The line has since expanded for less serious skin issues. I presently use this makeup on myself as well as everyone that becomes my client. Whether if I am working behind the scenes for a commercial, wedding parties or just an everyday look.
After I graduated from high school, I skipped college and went on to attend Von Lee school of Aesthetics. After receiving my MD state license as an Aesthetician in 1990, I then worked with my mother for years on the more serious side becoming a Rehabilitation Specialist for her company. I started doing makeup for weddings as my side business.
At age 22, I stepped away from the business for 10 years. I got married and then divorced and ended up being a single mother of three. At that point, in full force, I decided to start up my business. Another side job for me was promotional modeling, which got me out and about and above all networking. I remember feeling good but felt that there was something missing.
This now brings attention to BODYPAINTING! I got this creative and crazy idea back in October of 2004. I had decided to body paint myself, wearing a bathing suit and decorating myself as a cheetah for a Washington DC Halloween contest, so that I could try to win some cash. I had spent twelve hours putting myself together. With the help from my mother, I was able to complete the look and head to DC, where I felt like a celebrity as I entered into the club. I was not able to take more than 10 steps at a time without getting hundreds of pics taken! This is how it was the whole night. I ended up on the front cover of DCnites.com as best pic of the week!
Being an entrepreneur, my curiosity got the best of me. I gathered models who happened to be co-workers, to practice on. I practiced for years trying to become as efficient as I could with only the use of a brush and my paints-no air brush. I did logos and designs of anything that I could find. I then decided that in order to kick start my business, I would need to turn Bpainting into a marketing tool for products and companies. I carefully mastered a specific way to prove to them that my works would be successful for them.
Photography by Joe Sachs, Model, Raluca
WMIFF MAG - Who tends to be your base clientele? Is there a certain age range?
Jen Seidel - I have worked over the years to achieve an incredible range of clients, which range from individuals with personal reasons to small businesses and to very large corporations. My experiences have also been with liquor companies, cigar companies, production companies and sports companies. I also do charity and fundraiser events. I have worked with doctors, lawyers, bridal shops, car dealerships and more, you just name it. I am very grateful to have worked with people from all over the United States.
There is no set age range. I once painted an eight week old's foot along with her mother's hands and an eighty year old with tree people images.
Photography by Franklin Fitzgerald - Models Vanessa Marie & Jen H Photography by Jennifer Sieger - Models Lauren and April
WMIFF MAG - Can you describe some of the types of paints that you work with? Does the paint come off easily? Would someone who is sensitive to chemicals need to steer clear of being body painted?
Jen Seidel - The paints I choose to use are a variety of water based paints. It is a special type of body makeup that is designed for the skin and is not harsh or irritating at all. As long as there is not much sweating, it lasts until its time to take it off. It washes off with just soap and water with possibly some scrubbing at times.
WMIFF MAG - What is the most challenging aspect of doing body painting?
Jen Seidel - I'd have to say that the most challenging aspect of body painting is time and placement of each design. When I am on a deadline, where I have a certain amount of detail that needs to be done, I would say that this is the toughest part for me. Most people do not realize how time consuming Bpainting is and how detailed I need to be to make it look as realistic and presentable as possible. I try to maintain the best quality of art work that I can for each and every design.
Photography by Glenwood Jackson - Model Raluca
WMIFF MAG - To you, what is the most inspirational part of doing body painting and what satisfaction do you get from doing it?
Jen Seidel - I feel that anytime I do any form of art work, whether its painting on a canvas or doing one of my life size sculptures, I am inspired. But with bpainting, there is that unique illusion that you can't get anywhere else because you are creating on the most perfect entity, the human body. The fact that I can share it with others is most satisfying. When I see so many different expressions and hear all of the "ohhhs" and "ahhhs", that is when its most rewarding.
Its really exciting when the models arrive or an image is viewed and it takes a few minutes for everything to sync in and that the person is looking at body painting. It never gets old for me - I love to sit back and just watch and listen!
WMIFF MAG - Out of all the work that you've done so far, what is your most memorable or favorite?
Jen Seidel - This is a very tough question for me because I have had so many sessions and events that I absolutely loved creating. It's very hard to narrow it down to just one. But if I really had to choose one, it would be the Avatar look alike that I did for the Chamber of Commerce of Rockville. They did a live ceremony event, where they captured her on two huge Screens. This was extremely exciting for me because of all the preparation work. Just prior, it took six hours to body paint my six foot tall model, Lauren. People were in shock when she was presented sneaking through the dim lit florescent ball room in front of a thousand people.
Model shown, Lauren Jen Seidel with Model Lauren
We also presented a Tree People series with ten body painted images which was done in collaboration with Professional Photographer, Clark Vandergrift. I had worked in the studio for hours at a time blending the body paint to match each tree on the model. I made sure to create each look for him so that he could go back and place the body painted model into his image that had already been taken! It was an absolute brilliant work of art and now these images are being sold as prints.
Photography by Clark Vandergrift
WMIFF MAG - Has your work been published in other magzines, books, newspapers, etc..,?
Jen Seidel - My body paint art work has been published and featured in Washington's Finest Magazine, Owings Mills Times, The CityPaper, The Jeffersonian, The Examiner, The Jewish Times, Style Magazine of Baltimore, and a few smaller online magazines such as; Full Exposure Magazine and Iconography. I have also been featured live on WJZ TV Channel 13, Fox 45, CBS Radio-98 Rock, Baltimore's Rock radio station 97.9, The Ed Norris radio show and 105.9 FM Washingtons DC Rock Station -The Edge Morning Show.
WMIFF MAG -What form or artwork would you find most appealing that you have yet to do or maybe have been hesitant to do?
Jen Seidel - I welcome all forms of art work because I love to try new things. I love a good challenge! I actually have a line of life size sculptures that I have been working on. Each is used with a cast from either my own body mold or from one of my models. As soon as I finish hand painting them, I hang them up as 3-D wall art. These will be introduced in the future but on a larger scale, hopefully to be presented at galleries.
WMIFF MAG - Where do you see yourself if ten years? What is your ultimate goal for being a body painter?
Jen Seidel - As a business owner, like many others, I have set a number of very high goals. One of my goals is to continue to help non-profit and charity organizations by working directly with them to help raise money. I recently worked with The Red Devils of Maryland for Breast Cancer, hosted by Surgeons Dr. Dean Kane and his wife Lauri Kane and for the Susan G. Koman foundation creating Baltimorepaintedladies.com. On an annual basis, I work with Casey Cares Foundation for critically ill children. I plan to add an animal rights foundation and a few others in the future.
When I do work on the charities, I like to alternate them and try to put forth what I can. I like to incorporate my art work so that a percentage of sales go directly to the charity.
Another goal is to get my work commissioned out on billboards, more magazines, national ad campaigns and cable networks because I definitely see an interest. As well, I'd like to publish a coffee table book of my work and feature my models and the amazingly talented photographers, whom I've been ever so blessed to work with.
Lastly, I'd like to educate others someday with art and body painting. I feel as if I am a natural teacher and I truly hope to see others following my footsteps. I really desire my son and two daughters to get involved in my business, as they are intelligent artists themselves.
Photography by Dnice - Model Raluca
WMIFF MAG - Where can people find out more about you? Do you have any websites?
Jen Seidel - Sometimes I tell people ... just google "Jen The Body Painter", you will find me! :O)
www.JenSeidel.com
www.JenTheBodyPainter.com
www.MakeupByJen.net
http://www.facebook.com/jen.seidelwalsh
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jen-SeidelTM-Master-Bodypainter-and-Makeup-Artist/99451349046
WMIFF MAG - Do you have any additonal information that you'd like to share with your audience?
Jen Seidel - I am a perfectionist as an artist and I feel that I can always do better, so I am always trying harder. I believe in only a positive journey and that everything happens for a reason. Including the good and the not so good, never give up your dreams because you will never get there if you dont believe that you can!
