Mandi Ilene has been painted ever since she was able to pick up a brush. She won art awards in elementary school which led to specialized art classes in middle/high school. She began her art career painting murals, signs and repurposed furniture while raising two children. Later she started a cosmetology career specializing in nails, makeup and skincare. After doing decorative nails and bridal makeup for some years she started face painting. The princess birthday parties she started at the salon were a great start, but eventually the mobile face painting business became more profitable during a recession. She soon dove full time into her running her own face painting business from the ground up. Body painting came into play a few years later when  a friend wanted her belly painted to document her pregnancy in a unique way. After that Mandi started advertising for Halloween and soon became booked with custom full body paintings.