Farécla Bonnet Painting Competition (2024) - Meet the Finalists: Kayleigh

Ahead of the 2024 Grand Finals, Farécla conducted a series of interviews with this year's finalists. Today the spotlight is on Kayleigh Meadows (20) from Motofix Northampton.

Kayleigh has been part of a fast-track Apprenticeship and has been at Motofix for just over a year, with around half a year to go before her End Point Assessment.

"I've always loved cars - growing up it wasn't about Disney Princesses...it was always about cars so I'm a bit of a tomboy!"

With her love of cars, Kayleigh knew she wanted to get into the automotive trade

"Before I started my apprenticeship I did a Vehicle Repair course at college and some work experience on the mechanical side so I had a good idea of what parts I liked and disliked...and I really liked painting!"

Kayleigh learnt about the competition through Darren Keylock (Regional Branch Support Manager at Motofix) and decided to give it a go and decided to challenge herself.

"Transforming broken/new panels into a coloured panel, the before and after is incredible"

Kayleigh described spray painting as a magical process in her methodology which is why she knew she wanted to produce a Harry Potter inspired scene as a fan of the series [For those curious as our interviewer was - Chamber of Secrets or Goblet of Fire is her favourite in the series].

She knew what elements she wanted to include...and the challenges that may bring:

"When I started this I hadn't done any fine lining properly yet - but I wanted to include the castle and I wouldn't be working from a stencil so I decided to challenge myself"

Working from a reference photo, Kayleigh worked on the castle, marking it out free hand and learning as she was going.

"There was a lot I learnt - or did for the first time - whilst working on my bonnet such as wet flatting and fine lining. It was a big challenge and I'm glad I did it"

There are lots of little details that Kayleigh wanted to include that adds some life into the scene, like the clouds and stars in the nights sky and a handful of windows being lit across the castle.

Lastly, Farécla asked Kayleigh if she had any plans for the prize money:

"I'm thinking maybe a new spray gun or some other bits of equipment" 

Farécla would once again like to thank Kayleigh for her time and wish her the best of luck in the upcoming Grand Final!

This interview is part of a series of interviews with our Grand Finalists - Jackson Bailey, Rylee Gale, Kayleigh Meadows, Aaron Marshall and Lauryn Palmer - being published daily between Monday 30th September to Friday 4th October 2024 on our website.Be sure to check out our blog for interviews with fellow finalists.

Join Farécla on Friday 11th October at 12 Noon (BST) for a special livestream presentation as our judges announce the winner of the 2024 contest. Check out the links below for further details.

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