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Graphic designer Catherine Watson became the work of art when she donated her pregnant tummy as a canvas to raise funds for new-born babies.
The 32-year-old mum-to-be allowed body artist Phil DuChard to paint a fetus on her stomach for an advertising campaign to raise $1 million for a new assessment and birthing unit at Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland.
"It was interesting to be on the other side of the process," said Watson, who is 36 weeks pregnant.
"And it was heaps of fun, but a bit ticklish."
Watson, with five other women painted for the project, was approached at an exercise class for pregnant women because her stomach was the perfect size for the design, which took about two hours to paint.
DuChard, who is best known for painting rugby jerseys on female models, said that each belly and design presented new challenges.
"We had to be aware of the needs of the mums and make sure they were comfortable at all times. It was interesting to notice their babies seemed to move a lot when we used the airbrush and there were a few little kicks too," he said. "I loved being involved in a project that is so different."
Clinical director of women's health Dr Keith Allenby said he was thrilled with the support of the artists and models.
"The present unit is only coping because of the incredible staff. With numbers continuing to boom, the new facility won't be completed a minute too soon."
