Patricia Descalco doesn't bring her canvases to life with her art - they are already alive!

The 34-year-old from Southampton creates stunning artwork on human bodies.

And what's more, she takes part in international competitions with her creations.

As well as more conventional face painting and the growing-in-popularity trend of bump painting for pregnant women, Patricia paints whole bodies for performers, competitions and private photo shoots.

And each of her stunning creations can take six or more hours.

Patricia says that painting on a living canvas creates some specific issues.

"Painting on a living breathing canvas can be quite challenging," says Patricia, who is originally from Portugal.

"It's quite an intimate process and it is very important that both artist and model feel comfortable. I could paint non stop but I obviously need to be considerate! It can be a very long day and keeping a model happy always makes up for a beautiful photoshoot too."

She adds that working with real people, rather than a canvas, keeps her on her toes.

"There is a lot of research and work involved before the actual painting process," she explains.

"Things like the headdress, nails and other accessories, when required, are normally prepared and made weeks beforehand not to mention the design preparation.

"Because models can be any shape or size and most of the time I just meet them on the day, sometimes the adornments might not fit that well or not fit at all! Luckily I always have a plan B.

"The same happens with the design. Some people have a bit more or less skin space than others and come in different shapes so always have to work around the original design and go with the flow during the painting process on the day. It's challenging but fun!"

With a background in industrial and multi-media design, she has always been interested in art but her body painting business, The Magic Brushes Face & Body Painting, grew out of her love of fancy dress.

She is self taught and began face and body paining for fun, before being hired to paint faces at an event in 2011.

"Face and body painting is a lot of fun," says Patricia.

"You can turn someone into someone else.

"For some people, particularly with the pregnancy bump painting, it's a celebration of a moment in time, which can be captured in a photograph and kept forever."

Patricia says that one of her most memorable clients was a woman who had breast cancer and was having a mastectomy the following day.

"She wanted her torso painted to celebrate it as it was then," says Patricia.

"I felt very privileged to be able to do that for her."

Patricia says that although the people she paints are often almost naked, the paint creates a feeling of being clothed and her models say they don't feel exposed.

"It's a way to celebrate the human form," she says.

"There's nothing sexual about it. It's not about nudity - it's about art."

She says that although body painting is growing in popularity in the UK, it has a long tradition around the globe.

"Body painting is actually an ancient art that was used to represent status, bravery, beauty, to bring fertility, to protect from spirits, and for religious reasons in many cultures," she says.

"The pigments used back then were made from clay, minerals and plants. Nowadays, body paints are made according to very strict guidelines. This is quite important - I wouldn't want people to start using whatever paints they have at home to paint themselves!"

Patricia, who also works part time as a designer, says that body painting combines something she loves doing with a professional career that she is enjoying developing.

She took part in her first international body painting competition last year, the Winter Body Art Festival European Championship, in Verona, and will be competing in the Warpaint Make-up Championships 2016 at The Professional Beauty London event later this month.

As well as painting clients and models, she hones her skills by practising on herself whenever she can.

"I often pop to the shops with some glitter or face paint on," she says.

"I think people have got to know me quite well near where I live, and my neighbours have got used to seeing people looking like all different characters coming out of my house!"

Patricia says that she really enjoys body painting and is hoping to take part in more international events and competitions in the future.

"I already travel quite a lot in the summer as it's the peak time for painting at events, parties and festivals," she says.

"I have a passion for travelling, so taking part in more international events will give me a good excuse!

"I hope to keep getting better at it. It's amazing when you can have a job which is also something you love!"

For more information and to see more examples of Patricia's work, visit themagicbrushes.co.uk