It took Robert Nguyen of Salon Nouveau in Bonsall, Calif., about six hours to complete the winning mural. “I did an instrument theme,” says Nguyen. “I wanted to show some well known people in the music industry: Stevie Wonder, Slash, Jimi Hendrix, Steven Tyler, and some people I made up.” To create the hand-painted mural, he used four different DNA brushes. “I didn’t use any special techniques. All the techniques I used are shown in the “1-2-3 Nail Art” books, which are available in NAILS’ online store.

Nguyen has never taken a formal painting class, so what’s the source of his talent? “All of my family are artists,” he says. “I didn’t know I could paint until I started doing nails. Before doing nails I took drafting classes. Everything I’ve learned has been from my older brother Vu Nguyen.”