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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!

 

Chasing Butterflies

 

Kick off springtime by snaring these delicate beauties for your clients.

 

By Pam Minch

 

 

Everyone, young and old, loves to spot butterflies—their graceful beauty is a sure sign that spring has sprung! The vibrant colors of these winged insects make them perfect models for nail artists everywhere.

We’ve enlisted the help of some talented nail techs to provide us with four designs that will have your clients fluttering with delight. Student nail tech Sarah Jowdy, from the Academy of Cosmetology in Charleston, South Carolina (with help from her talented instructor, Tami Bice), uses 3-D acrylic to sculpt a delicate symbol of nature. She also treats us to another rendition of the frail monarch butterfly. Meanwhile, nail tech Katrina Bresnahan from Greenfield, Massachusetts, inspires us with a display of dancing colors on her pastel “flutterbys”—perfect for spring! Bresnahan complements another butterfly design with striping to add dimension.

Whatever colors you decide to use, let your imagination fly when you treat your clients to these subtle, graceful symbols of the changing season!

 

Brush Up
Sculpting with acrylic adds dimension to your artwork. You can sculpt simple acrylic shapes and designs directly on the nail, or you can sculpt the shapes on stiff aluminum that is bent in the correct shape for your design. (Acrylic will pop off the aluminum when it sets.) Another tip: Sculpt the basic shape on a freezer bag and, while the acrylic sets (but remains pliable), bend the bag to achieve the desired angle. Hold the shape until the acrylic firmly sets, and then peel away the bag.
   
Flutterbys
1 Polish the nail pale green.
2 Randomly add blue, pink and yellow butterfly shapes.
3 Paint a black body on each butterfly.
4 Add antennae to the butterflies with black paint. Finish with top coat.

Nail Design: Pam Minch

 

Average Time: 3 minutes per nail
Suggested Price: $3 per nail
 
Weightless Wings
1 Polish the nail with glittery, bright blue polish.
2 Paint two yellow flowers on the nail; add orange petals as accents.
3 Using two shades of green paint, add leaves.
4 Draw the shape of a butterfly with orange paint. Add black lines to the butterfly’s body and wings.
5 Add white dots to the wings and the centers of the flowers. Finish with top coat.

Nail Design: Pam Minch

 

Average Time: 7 to 10 minutes per nail
Suggested Price: $5 per nail
     
Free to Fly
1 Polish the entire nail dark blue. Add a green leaf where the butterfly will “land.”
2 Sculpt a butterfly using acrylic on a piece of sturdy aluminum or a nail polish bottle. Note: See Brush Up for hints on sculpting with acrylic.
3 When the acrylic is dry and buffed, paint it orange. Using black paint, outline the wings and add detail lines. Remember to paint both sides of each wing.
4 Glue the butterfly to the nail. Paint the body and the two acrylic antennae black.
5 Accent the wings, body and antennae with white dots. Finish with top coat.

Nail Design: Pam Minch

 

Average Time: 20 to 30 minutes per nail
Suggested Price: $10 to $15 per nail

 
 
Winged Beauty
1 Polish the nail mauve.
2 Paint a butterfly shape on the nail with bright pink paint.
3 Outline the butterfly with black. Add antennae.
4 Paint pink and black stripes on the tip of the nail.
Add accents to the striping and butterfly with glitter paint. Finish with top coat.

Nail Design: Pam Minch

 

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

Pam Minch specializes in nail art at Elysium Day Spa in Parker, CO. 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.