Meet the Spanish Body Painter Making Artwork Out Of Pregnancy

Spanish artist Fatima Carrion Alfonso is a 32-year-old body painter who has found an interesting niche. By painting baby bumps, Alfonso has given hundreds of women the opportunity to foster a unique connection with their babies. She began the project three years ago and has turned over 200 bellies into works of art.

“I love to paint the bellies of these would-be moms,” she said. “It’s always exciting and for mothers, it’s a beautiful experience as they feel relaxed and more connected with their baby.”

Alonso explains that she has first-hand experience of that connection since she was also once the subject of belly art when she was pregnant.

“I too had it when I was expecting and I can relate to the happiness and pleasure the painting on our bellies brings.”

While using the belly bump as a canvas is a more recent development, Fatima has extensive experience with body painting in general over her 14 years of turning skin into art.

But she was intrigued by the trend of pregnant women having their bellies painted, saying that she “always had the curiosity” to try out this new art form.

“I had seen those pictures but no one here understood this art form very well or dared to go for it,” she said.

She missed the chance to paint her sister’s baby bump. But her first chance came soon after when a friend approached her. The rest, as they say, is history.

Her business is now booming, but she points out that each of her clients presents a very different artistic challenge.

“Every mother is different and has her own taste, hobby, and stories to tell,” she said. “Sometimes they come up with a particular design in mind and others, they ask me to give her some idea,” which can lead to a proposal sketch by Alonso.After it’s approved, she gets to work and completes the painting in two hours.

She does have a few tips, like having the belly painting done “during the sixth and eighth month of pregnancy” to get the most enjoyment from the experience. But, she notes that “there are many women who come to it during the second and third month as a way to announce the good news to their family and friends.”

The styles and subjects can be quite diverse, from neon glow-in-the-dark designs to pint-sized “Star Wars” characters.

Alonso does make sure to use materials that are skin-safe.

“I generally use water-based body makeup, it’s like a watercolor for the body so the mother

feels comfortable and is not a nuisance to the skin.”

Fatima’s business is gaining customers as the belly-bump-as-canvas trend picks up. She still finds it to be an exciting endeavor, and full of beautiful little moments.

“The most amazing moment while working is to see the baby kicking!” she said. “The baby can feel the energy of her mother and brushstrokes are great sensory stimuli, so it is very normal that during the session the bay will kick. It is one of the best things to see.”