2017 Nail Mural Contest Winners Announced

1st place: Trisha Johnson, Shelby Township, Mich.
Title: Very Polished

2nd place: Kadee Brown, Onalaska, Wis.
Title: Mermaid as Metaphor

3rd place: Jacqueline McClement, Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada
Title: Treasures of the Sea

Nail tech and NTNA Season 4 Top 12 competitor Trisha Johnson paid tribute to rapper Eminem in her winning nail mural, inspired by an image taken by photographer and childhood friend Jenny Risher. “Jenny did a shoot with Eminem a few years ago and has had her images seen worldwide,” says Johnson. “After seeing multiple tattoo artists re-creating this photo on clients, I decided to change things up and step out of my box one more time with a nail mural.”

Johnson used INM’s Out The Door polish in Hemingway as the base, then created the design using four shades of CND Shellac: Black Pool, Cream Puff, Asphalt, and City Scape. She topped it with CND Shellac Original Top Coat and buffed the surface to a matte finish. “I arranged the tips in a fun way and it all came together very quickly for me. I’d guess I spent six to eight hours on this piece,” she says.

<p>This photo taken by pal Jenny Risher inspired Trisha Johnson’s design.</p>

“I am very big on people remembering where they came from. Here’s to all the talented artists from Detroit, keeping it real, and never forgetting where ya come from!”