Meet Nelly Recchia | Body Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nelly Recchia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nelly, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I think this artistic, creative fiber as always been in me as it is within most of us during our childhood. Being an only child has probably stimulated my imagination. I was fortunate to be raised in a family nurturing creativity and allowing me at a very early age to attend ballet classes and diverse art performances. It was also nice to have the family’s junkyard as a very unique playground!

However, it has never been a long time vocation to become a Body Artist. I often wonder why using the human body as a canvas although this very ancestral form of expression is probably in all of us and our genetic memory …but the main answer I can think about is Beauty…creating Beauty in the noble sense of the term, Beauty that transcends, connects, heals. And at this stage of my life, transmission is important. I have been teaching in an Internationally renowned Makeup School here in Los Angeles with students coming from all around the world. It is culturally enriching and should keep each one of us humble knowing there is always room for learning something new and improve.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I humbly aim to push Body Art which is also known as Body painting to a more sophisticated level than it has been represented for the past decades and making it much more than just paint on naked bodies. Technically speaking I am using brushes or an airbrush depending on what I want to achieve. I like using tools such as photoshop to enhance the contrast of the photography, smooth out skin’s texture, or modify the background. However, all designs on my models are really painted on their skin, it is not done digitally.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love walking especially in the peaceful Los Feliz/ Silverlake area. This neighborhood has many cafes, I particularly like the atmosphere of the Cafe Los Feliz on Hillhurst.
I was lucky to work a few times in the historic Mack Sennett Studios, as well as the opportunity to visit the Paramour Estate. There are many charming buildings or houses in this part of town related to the Hollywood silent moves era.
My favorite evenings moments are going to concerts. I particularly enjoy shows at the Greek Theater.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A broad shout out to all Artists right now who are struggling to find their place in an increasing technology dominant world. Nothing wrong with progress and innovative tools as long as they are designed to assist us and not to replace us.

Website: https://nellyrecchia.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nellyrecchia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nelly.recchia/

Image Credits
Portrait by Jacqueline Parra.
Other inages by Nelly Recchia. BTS : Brandon Walker.