Craig Tracy Brings Body Painting Expertise to “Skin Wars”
Craig Tracy (left) and fellow “Skin Wars” judges Robin Slonina and RuPaul Charles with Lynda Carter. (Photo courtesy of Craig Tracy Gallery)
Artist Craig Tracy is an icon of the body painting movement, having won and judged international competitions in the body painting world.
When Game Show Network (GSN) ordered a reality show about body painting in 2014, they knew just who to seek out as the show’s expert judge.
“I have the good fortunate of having a television show that’s kind of built around what it is that I do,” Tracy tells Park West.
GSN’s “Skin Wars” is an American body painting reality show. Contestants on the show compete in elaborate body painting challenges. Judges then examine the works and eliminate a contestant until the winning artist remains.
Craig Tracy with his fellow “Skin Wars” judges and host Rebecca Romjin (far left). (Photo courtesy of Craig Tracy Gallery)
Tracy has served as a judge since “Skin Wars” first premiered and has done so for seasons two and three. Tracy is judging alongside iconic entertainer RuPaul Charles and contemporary artist Robin Slonina.
“Fine art body painting is my love and passion, but because of community and because of love of the art, I’ve involved myself in this body painting competition aspect,” Tracy says. “A lot of the contestants on the show are people I’ve helped inspire or guide throughout their career.”
Craig Tracy adds details to one of his latest body paintings. (Photo courtesy of Craig Tracy)
As the show’s guru judge, Tracy draws on his experience as an innovative body painter. The body painting master won first place at the World Body Painting Festival in Austria in 2005. Since then, Tracy has gone on to serve as a judge for the festival as well as other competitions involving body painting.
“The only reason I competed in the first place was so that I would have the credential to judge these competitions,” Tracy says. “My work is more about creating beautiful images for the home and for the office, but I love the idea of being able to judge these competitions, and I felt like I’d be hypocritical if I didn’t compete as well.”
One of Craig Tracy’s latest works of art. (Photo courtesy of Craig Tracy)
“Skin Wars” airs in the United States as well as in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, South America and Africa. The syndicated series is also found on Hulu.
“It’s surreal and humbling to be in the position that I’m in,” Tracy says. “It’s incredible to be a part of this, and to go and see it globally is amazing.”
“Speed” (2016), Craig Tracy
Park West Gallery proudly offers Craig Tracy artwork to its collectors as digital multiples on metal. Contact our gallery consultants at (800) 521-9654 ext. 4 or sales@parkwestgallery.com.
