Paint A 'Licious: The Pain-Free Way to Achieving Your Naked Ambitions [Hardcover]

Joanne Gair (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2005

Welcome to the "Paint A'Licious Salon", where "dreams and fantasies come true with the simplicity of a brushstroke". Nothing is as it seems when renowned artist and photographer Joanne Gair embellishes, conceals, and camouflages her human subjects with paint. "Paint A 'Licious" will have everyone talking this season. We're all familiar with trompe l'oeil painting, art that fools the eye. Renowned body painter and artist Joanne Gair takes the art of trompe l'oeil to an entirely new level with "Paint A 'Licious". But instead of disguising walls or canvas, Gair completely redecorates her human subjects. In the fictional "Paint A'Licious" Salon, Gair invites us to experience our wildest dreams through paint. Washboard abs are achieved without sit-ups, and an hourglass figure requires no liposuction at this specialty salon. By painstakingly painting her subjects - a process that takes many hours - Gair blends them (nearly imperceptibly) into the background scene. You'll be scratching your head in amazement at the fantastic optical illusions Gair creates. A painted child "disappears" under the Christmas tree, barely discernible from the wrapped gifts. A naughty nurse in a uniform made only of paint arrives to cheer up a patient. And are those plaid biker shorts or just a tartan paint job under that Scotsman's kilt? "Paint A 'Licious" is the book everyone will want on their coffee tables.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Celebrity body painter Gair turns her talents to comic ends with this book of trompe l'oeil photographs. Until now, Gair, who is best known for the "birthday suit" she painted on Demi Moore for Vanity Fair's August 1992 cover, has dedicated her talents to helping other people realize their artistic visions. She's done body painting for music videos by Madonna and Nine Inch Nails, for ad campaigns by Versace and Pirelli and for photo features in Playboy and Vogue. For this volume, however, Gair not only painted the bodies, she also wielded the camera and conceived the scenes. The result is exquisite body painting set into scenes of bawdy, almost adolescent humor. The images are organized around the idea that body painting can help people realize their fantasies. "It's a Stretch but You've Still Got It," for example, shows an old woman in a pink tutu doing the splits on a golden stage, with the help of an assistant painted to blend into the curtains. "No Sweat" shows an overweight woman happily leading an aerobics class—her body painted so that she appears 30 pounds slimmer. If you think such scenes are funny, you'll love the book. (Oct. 11)
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About the Author

Joanne Gair is a pioneering artist and image maker whose instantly recognisable work has graced the covers of international magazines, fashion campaigns, music videos and motion pictures.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740755374
• ISBN-13: 978-0733620010
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,041,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Artistic Maestro of Illusion, October 6, 2005

By 

Art Lover (LA, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paint A 'Licious: The Pain-Free Way to Achieving Your Naked Ambitions (Hardcover)

Joanne Gair's book is a work of art! It's filled with many pages of comedic and colorful human canvases. Paint A 'Licious is much more humorous than first expected, and I was quite impressed with its magnificant creative concepts. The details and colors are amazing. Also, I love the fact that in the back she has photographs of each photo shoot to give the novice an idea of the complexity involved. For any art lover, or just anyone with a sense of humor, this book is a must! Look out, Anne Geddes!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This was fun, March 14, 2006

By 

L. Seeley (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paint A 'Licious: The Pain-Free Way to Achieving Your Naked Ambitions (Hardcover)

OK, the nudity part was what made this book intriguing, but it isn't lewd. GREAT paint jobs. Each photograph or series of photos tells a very short story. They are accompanied by quotations which enhance or explain the photographs. Give this book as a gift to someone who appreciates photography, art, humor and the human experience. The entire volume takes about 15 or 20 minutes to thoroughly enjoy, but you may want to repeat the process a couple of times. Some of the camouflage paint jobs are simply amazing!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL, December 9, 2005

By 

Beatrice "Bea" (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paint A 'Licious: The Pain-Free Way to Achieving Your Naked Ambitions (Hardcover)

I have long admired Jo Ann Gair for her amazing artistic ability applied to human form. I was so pleased to enjoy the funny and heartwarming work of art by this extremely talented woman. The care, production value and attention to detail in each image is astounding. A true gem of artistry and humor to enchant your friends and family.