TWO mums are decorating tummies everywhere as they bring a Stateside phenomenom to Chronicle Country.
Karen May and Tanya Brown are giving the body art concept a whole new meaning as they provide belly art for customers around the area.
Belly painting is similar to face painting and is a growing craze in the US.
Tanya, 42 and Karen, 39, and who live in Stanford and Broom respectively have enjoyed steadily increasing demand for the service they provide as Xfaces.
Karen said: “I have always enjoyed art and design and I used to do professional drawings and designs of British touring cars for a living.
“My work would take me up and down the country but then I had children and obviously a bit less time for travelling!”
Karen and Tanya have four children between them who all attend Southill Lower School.
Karen, a part-time graphic designer added: “Tanya and I became friends through the school as our children all go there.
“We are both artistic and we talked about what work we could do that would fit in with being mums.”
The two now travel around the area, visiting customers’ homes.
Karen said: “We can take all of the equipment to the person’s house and it is particularly popular with pregnant women.”
Tanya and Karen – who is also selling copies of a commissioned drawing of the late motorcycle racer Marco Simoncelli she has completed – are also starting new card-making classes at Southill Tea Rooms.
The classes will cover the entire card-making process and will take place on Thursday, March 15, Tuesday, April 3, Thursday, April 26 and Thursday, May 17 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Karen said: “I have exhibited my work in the tea rooms before.
“Anyone who has ever wanted to make their own greetings cards will hopefully find the classes useful.”
Anyone who would like to attend can just turn up on the night – all materials will be provided. Admission is £12 including refreshments and three cards to take home.
For more information contact 07957 539594.
To find out more about Xfaces see www.xfaces.co.uk or search for Xfaces on Facebook.