I'm 25 and I work as a freelance makeup artist and bodypainter. I have been interested in art since a very early age, and I would paint and draw on anything from walls to furniture to my own clothing. I took a shine to bodypainting as it is the body itself that you are using as a canvas, not paper, rather like a tattoo - although unlike a tattoo, you can wash the paint off afterwards. It's three-dimensional and you can manipulate the way the paint and other material works on the shape of the body to form illusions. I love the idea of experimenting with different media and materials, and this art style makes me happy because it gives me the chance to express my mood and my thoughts into real life.

I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing people, most recently assisting my former tutor and fellow bodypainter Emma Cammack on a shoot with celebrity photographer Rankin for The Saturdays' calendar, whilst my work has been featured in Bizarre magazine and I have done numerous events including one at the Barbican. I also work in nightclubs such as Whirl-Y-Gig as an in-house face and body painter.
My inspirations include Swiss surrealist HR Giger, photographer David LaChappelle, and Website:
www.mayalewis.co.ukmystical creatures and animals of all kinds - especially felines. In the future I'd like to become very successful in this field, and maybe move into the film industry.