Art Gallery

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"Art Gallery" showcases the nail art of some of the best artists in the industry. Every month, the column features four to six nail art designs created by one or more of our readers with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. The nail art usually follows a theme for an upcoming holiday or season and depicts that theme in creative, easy-to-replicate designs. The column also provides promotional tips to help readers make the most of their nail art businesses.

Nailpro is actively seeking nail art submissions, so send in your best examples today. If your art is chosen, we'll pay you $25 per nail and you'll be featured in an upcoming issue. Package nails securely, using bubble wrap, a padded box or cotton, and send by snail mail to: Nailpro, 7628 Densmore Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406, Attn.: "Art Gallery." Don't forget to include your name, address and phone number!
 

A Nail Art Cornucopia

Harvest these nail art ideas for the fall months.

By Pam Minch

When the seasons change, so should your nail art display. As the breezy styles of summer make way for fall’s subdued fashions, bright pinks and corals are shelved; rich shades of amber and plum take over your nail art designs. The fall season offers plenty of creative inspiration for nail artists. For instance, feast your eyes on the autumn designs that nail tech Audrey Watabe whipped up for fall-loving clients: a googly-eyed turkey, glistening turkey feathers and an unconventional French manicure that reflects the colors of an Indian summer. I’ve contributed a simple falling leaf design that your clients can sport anytime this season.

Finding a clever way to display your nail art is especially fun this time of year. Adhere tips featuring your nail art to a pumpkin, or have a miniature scarecrow hold your fall nail design display. You can even create a turkey with a tail full of nail tips! Just make sure you use your creativity to draw attention to your beautiful, bountiful artwork.

Peek-A-Boo Papercraft Turkey
Audrey Watabe

Before you start. Cut colored paper (use red, orange, yellow and green) into feather shapes that fit the nail bed. Cut a piece of brown paper into a bowling pin shape for the turkey body.

Step 1.
Polish the nail beige. While the polish is still wet, apply the paper feathers in a fan shape. Add the cutout turkey body on one side of the nail. Allow the nail to dry.

Step 2.
Paint a yellow beak on the turkey. Paint a red wattle next to the beak.

Step 3.
Outline the feathers, body, beak and wattle with a black permanent marker.

Step 4.
Glue on two wiggle eyes. Apply gold glitter polish to the feathers. Allow the design to dry and apply top coat.

Average Time: 15 to 20 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $7 per nail.

Sparkling Turkey Feathers
Audrey Watabe

Step 1.
Polish the nail pearly orange. Allow the polish to dry. Using gold glitter paint, create four to five feathers fanning out across the nail. Allow the paint to dry.

Step 2.
Using red glitter paint, create an arc on each feather. Allow the design to dry.

Step 3.
Apply holographic top coat to the feathers only.

Step 4.
While the top coat is still wet, outline each turkey feather with gold bullion. Apply top coat over the entire design.

Average Time: 10 to 15 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $5 to $7 per nail.

Harvest French
Audrey Watabe

Step 1.
Paint the left half of the nail with deep orange polish and the right half with gold polish. Allow the design to dry.

Step 2.
 Paint a thick, pearly dark brown stripe down the left and right sides of the nail. Allow the paint to dry.

Step 3.
Paint a “V” using creamy brown polish to create a chevron French. Allow the polish to dry.

Step 4.
Glue black rhinestones along the smile line. Apply matte top coat only over the gold, orange and dark brown stripes. Add shiny top coat over the French tip of the nail.

Average Time: 5 to 7 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $5 per nail.

“Fall”-ing Leaf
Pam Minch

Step 1.
Polish the nail deep burgundy. Allow the polish to dry. Using light yellow paint, create a leaf shape.

Step 2.
Using watered-down orange paint, outline the leaf. Blend the orange from the leaf tips toward the center of the leaf.

Step 3.
Using watered-down red paint, blend the leaf tips only.

Step 4.
Add veins in the leaf using dark brown paint. Finish with top coat.

Average Time: 5 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $5 per nail.

Brush Up

Seasonal picture frames are great attention-grabbers, ideal for displaying your beautiful nail art. Craft or frame stores have a vast array of designs from which to choose: hearts, suns, moons, shamrocks, pumpkins, Christmas trees—the list goes on! Give ’em a try!

Celebrating her 25th year as a nail tech this year, Pam Minch specializes in nail art at Elysium Day Spa in Parker, Colorado. Her art has been featured in Sports Illustrated and several other publications. She has been a top nail art competitor, a competition judge and an educator for a major manufacturer.