If you haven’t heard of maternity belly painting (or seen a baby bump adorably done up in cool colors and dynamic designs come through your Instagram feed) we’re here to break it down for you. And before we go any further, yes, it’s a thing.
Maternity – or prenatal – belly painting is just like it sounds: A professional artist works with the would-be mama (who is usually between six and nine months along) to create a one-of-kind work that turns her belly into an art canvas for everything from a groovy garden to a bow-wrapped present, making for amazing photos and memories.
Here in Bergen County, Paint 2 Smile, owned by artist Laura M. Hoyos, offers the service. Hoyos meets with the client a few times before the painting session to come up with the perfect personalized design. The art can go along with a baby shower or nursery theme, highlight a special moment, reflect a song or include the future family member’s name. Hoyos also provides the option of a photo package – which moms can do solo or as family session.
Paint 2 Smile also provides other fun and festive artistic services like kids’ face painting – from superheroes to safari animals – in addition to waterproof face painting (probably a good option for splashy summers), which lasts two to three days. Then there’s glow-in-the-dark face painting, perfect for an out-of-the-box birthday party activity. Guests get done up in neon paint that glows under black light (and still look super in regular light).
Oh, and there’s also adult face painting, in case you’ve got a costume party or masquerade ball coming up ... or just want to freak your kids out when you come home looking like a zombie. Why not? It’ll wash off ...
Paint 2 Smile, Englewood, NJ, [email protected], 551.225.0965
