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

Ahead of the 2024 Grand Finals, Farécla conducted a series of interviews with this year's finalists. Today the spotlight is on Lauryn Palmer (24) from FMG Repair Services Milton Keynes.

Lauryn is in her 3rd year as a Paint Apprentice:

"It'll be three years in January so it's a little scary to think that it's coming to an end but I'm doing paint and I love it."

Prior to her apprenticeship, Lauryn did a photography course at college which surprisingly steered her towards refinishing:

"Whilst I was studying photography I got into car photography and my love of cars just sort of exploded from there. I was initially a little nervous at first being a female looking to get into automotive but I just knew that it was something that I loved and I'm so glad I did it. Everyone in the trade has been so friendly."

Like fellow finalist Jackson, Lauryn learnt about the contest attending FMG Repair Services' Apprentice Engagement events during National Apprenticeship Week where Farécla was invited to attend to offer some polishing top tips.

When the competition came up, Lauryn had an automatic response

"There's no way I'm not doing that!"

"I really love classic American airbrushing - within the first few months of my apprenticeship I sprayed my partners car...it was a bit of a disaster (*laughs*) but it fuelled my love of painting further and I've come a long way since!"

Lauryn's bonnet sticks to the competitions Farécla-themed colour palette whilst adding some flare, utilising custom paints such as a shimmer silver that she uses outside of work on custom jobs. The end result is a bonnet that sparkles upon inspection.

Confident in her paint choice, Lauryn set about designing her bonnet:

"The design for my bonnet stems a lot from my love of airbrushing and art! I wanted to use the natural swage lines of the bonnet to showcase a few of my favourite methods - at first I was unsure how to approach this in an exciting way whilst keeping the appearance sleek, but I sketched out some designs and worked out where I wanted to use which paints."

Lauryn's final design features sunrays / angel wings airbrushed elements and fine lining.

"I am really happy with how it turned out - and I really enjoyed the opportunity to experiment with my techniques whilst at work thanks to the competition."

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

"Honestly it's probably a split between savings or maybe something for my car. Otherwise I'd like to explore the custom work more - so that may be equipment or some more custom paints." 

Farécla would once again like to thank Lauryn 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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