Andorran Bodypainter Andrea Ruiz Wins Spanish Championship After Lifelong Passion

Andrea Ruiz, an Andorran bodypainting artist with 12 years of experience, traces her passion back to childhood experiments with a toy makeup kit. She first practiced on her grandfather, applying daily designs that he wore out in public.

After training in hairdressing and aesthetics, which did not appeal to her, Ruiz enrolled in a makeup school focusing on character makeup. There, she discovered bodypainting during a course module and was immediately drawn to its artistic potential. "It's like painting a canvas, but on the human body," she said, highlighting how it allowed her to channel her lifelong love of drawing.

Her former partner provided crucial encouragement—and funding—for her studies, despite initial skepticism from her parents about its viability as a career. Ruiz began by painting herself, then progressed to models after additional character makeup training. While friends enjoyed summer pool days, she attended specialized classes.

The craft demands precise techniques, including skin-safe paints, color mixing, and airbrush mastery. One of her standout projects was a series depicting the 12 zodiac signs, each on a different model—a personal favorite.

Ruiz has earned recognition, including victory in the Spanish Bodypainting Championship last year, and competitions in Andorra. Her work extends to cinema and television, notably on the production of *La Casa de Papel* (*Money Heist*).

In Andorra, she knows of no other practitioners, citing lingering taboos around painting nearly nude bodies. "There's still a lot of taboo here," she noted. Places like Barcelona offer greater acceptance but fiercer competition.

To aspiring artists, Ruiz advises persistence: "If you really love it, try it." She endured tough times but found validation in her championship win.