Anne Beltestad Kirkham is the daughter and granddaughter of artists with a lifelong interest in miniature decorative patterns. A henna artist since 1997, she also holds a Masters degree and has decorated diverse groups of people with henna in the Pacific Northwest, Europe, New York City, and the Greater Bay Area. She is especially fond of fusion designs (Celtic/ Norse/ Persian) and will shortly be publishing a book of henna designs through HennaTribe. More of her here: www.pacifichenna.com

Anne is primarily responsible for articles on HennaTribe; contact her at anne AT hennatribe DOT com

Carly Wilson is a travelling henna artist, splitting most of her time between The Pacific North West in the United States and Eastern Australia. She was introduced to the art while visiting Victoria, BC and was immediately intrigued. She started experimenting with the craft in college at the University of Washington and was there introduced to other local henna artists, including the talented artists of Gilded Lillies Henna Arts, which she worked with during the company's final year of business. This local community of artists helped introduce her to the various styles and traditions of the art.

She continues to enjoy performing most traditional styles of henna work but is especially drawn to large scale pieces that dance and twirl across the body. Often while doing large scale pieces, Carly zones out into an almost trace for periods of time allowing the art work to develop on its own. She enjoys projects that demonstrate the sensual nature of henna and its ability to accent the beauty and curvature of the human body.

Carly is also a wildlife professional and is involved with several conservation associations in the United States and Australasia. You can contact her at carly@hennatribe.com.

California-born to an artistic family, Darcy began painting at age two. She first saw henna'd brides in National Geographic. Disappointed that techniques weren't described, Darcy began her own experiments. Then, 10 years ago, a Moroccan friend invited Darcy for a magic night of fragrant plum tagine, honeyed sweets, and rich coffee and henna applied with syringes and toothpicks! Darcy went home with a packet of fresh Moroccan henna powder and began adorning any friends and relatives that would sit still. She has since developed her own techniques and "secret family recipe".

A Reno native, Elaine learned the art of mehndi in San Francisco with the support of the online community Henna Tribe and Bay Area artist Darcy Vasudev of the Henna Lounge. She believes that henna can be a healing art which fosters intercultural communication, and that it makes for a rockin' hair dye as well. She can be reached at elaine@hennatribe.com.

Joan Kovatch is a professional henna artist working out of Richmond, Virginia. She began teaching herself this ancient art back in 2002 when research on renaissance faires led her to an internet link titled "henna." Having never heard the word, Joan began searching, and came out on the other end with a passion for henna body art and the commitment to make it a career.

Joan offers henna body art services for all of your celebratory needs - parties, weddings, events, and especially renaissance faires! She also accepts private appointments through River City Tattoo in Richmond, VA. You can contact her at joan@hennatribe.com, or visit her web site at www.theartisansambrosia.com.

Kenzi traces her passion for henna to the time she spent living and working in Morocco. Her years in North Africa and elsewhere throughout the world have instilled in her a sincere appreciation for diverse cultures, arts, traditions and history. A self-taught professional henna artist, Kenzi is currently working on a book of her original henna art as well as a book celebrating the rich henna tradition of Morocco. By revealing techniques, recipes, designs, myths and history, Kenzi seeks to rescue from obscurity this ancient women's art form. Her love of Moroccan design is reflected in her henna work into which she also incorporates contemporary as well as traditional influences from other cultures including Indian, Pakistani, Persian among others. While Kenzi's work is deeply rooted in these traditions, it is also entirely modern, often referred to as NeoFusion!

Kenzi's experience as a henna artist is as vast as her influences. Perhaps you have seen her work in the movies (Spike Lee's "The 25th Hour" and Jonathan Demme's "The Manchurian Candidate") or on MTV (Erykah Badu's video for "Love of my Life"). Kenzi has created original pieces for photo shoots and fashion shows. She works at large-scale corporate events and festivals (such as Bulgari, HBO and Le Tigre), as well as intimate weddings, parties and private consultations. She teaches the art of henna in workshops around New York City. You can find her at www.Kenzi.com

Kenzi is primarily responsible for the technical aspects of the site; contact her at kenzi@hennatribe.com

maxx first came across henna in 1999 and was sent on a mad internet search to discover the history and art of the henna medium. She set a steep learning curve for herself, aiming to learn from all that was available and eventually making a research trip to India in 2004. maxx found that henna art combined her love of body art, design, drawing, and provided a reciprocally satisfying experience for both the recipient and the artist. In every venue, from festival to corporate event, maxx has found that henna art enhances the experiences of the people attending.

Her proficiency in every style of henna, from traditional Indian bridal to contemporary design and placement, has given her opportunities to offer henna at fairs, wedding parties, wellness events, film shoots, benefits, and backyard extravaganzas. She loves her work as a henna artist and it shows in every design she offers! Look her up at www.izmudd.com

maxx is primarily responsible for member relations and site issues/ideas; contact her at maxx@hennatribe.com

Theadora began her career as a henna artist in 1998 when she set up her first henna booth at the Portland Saturday Market. She owns Adorn Henna, also in Portland, where she does events and gatherings as well as blessings, ceremonies for pregnant women, and bridal parties. Her clients include Saks 5th Avenue, Nike, Tazo Tea, and The Gypsy Caravan dancers.

Having studied tribal belly dancing and seeing how henna designs flow on the dancers, Thea has been compelled to learn everything about henna she possibly could. She has worked extensively with the henna plant in the paste medium, and she is well versed in various styles of henna patterns, including those of India, Arabia, and Morocco. She draws her own florid arabesques as she is inspired to do so by the everyday things around her like textiles, pottery, and music.

Thea's henna business has been guided by her belief that the designs on the skin bring forth a visible expression of the internal for each individual. In her calm and attentive presence, clients are encouraged to be collaborators in the henna process so that each session gives a full expression of life energy. Theadora has closed Adorn Henna as of May of 2006.