Face Painting, Balloons and More!

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. If you are looking for a face painter, go to a website to see samples first. Ask if all pictures are ones that they personally painted. Our samples represent our best work, so make sure that you like the quality of work before making a call or getting a quote.

Make sure that the artist uses professional, FDA approved face products. Many people expect full face designs that go over the eyes. This should only be done with the professional face paints.

Find out how many faces or designs the artist can do in an hour. If you are having 25 children at a party, it is unlikely that they will all be painted well in one hour. The average that a skilled professional can do is 10-15 per hour. That will give you a full face with some detail. Remember that the more detail you want, the more time it will take.

Price is always an issue. Hourly rates for face painters can range from (a very few) as low as $50 per hour to $150. Realize that you get what you pay for. A lower cost may mean non professional paints, no insurance, less faces painted per hour and little experience or talent. Many artists will have a two hour minimum. So if you only want one hour, find someone close to your party and they may make an exception.

Find out if a deposit is required before the event. Also, ask how the remainder should be paid. Some sites accept credit cards, but many of us prefer cash on the day of the event. Tipping is always appreciated.

Do not expect artists to do a charity event at no charge. Face painting is our bread and butter. Our career has many expenses, so please do not insult us with small hourly rate requests. Many of us do pro bono work with charities that we support. Feel free to ask for a discount non-profit hourly rate or negotiate with free advertising, tip jar availability, etc. Do not be insulted if we cannot work your event. If you have a tiny budget, buy some face paints and ask local high school art students to volunteer.

Having a clown is great. They are funny and may make balloons; maybe even juggle. But don't expect a face painter's service to include other talents. If you get a jack of all trades, you may get a master of none.

Some face painters dress in costumes, others do not. Many of us are professional artists in various branches of the art world as well as face painters. Hiring us may not give you a costumed character, but does guarantee you quality work.

If anyone in your party has skin allergy issues, always ask to test the paint on an arm before you paint it on a face. Realize the artist has the right to refuse working on a client who appears ill or has some skin problems. We try very hard to keep our products sanitary and do not want to pass any germs onto our other clients.

Also discuss the needs of the face painter. Most of us require a larger table, two chairs and quality lighting. We don't expect to be fed, but offering us a drink is always nice. Please help your guests make their design choices before getting to the artist. When we only have 4 or 5 minutes to do a full face, every minute counts.

If you need additional time, talk to the artist before the event. We may have another party following yours, so we need to keep our time schedule. It's not always possible to do "just one more face."

Face painting can create priceless memories of your party or event.
Let us make that happen for you!

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I possess a creative, child-like silliness that comes out in my art. I try NOT to do each design like the last. I try to make each of my creations an ORIGINAL. I need to put my own spin on every design.

As a Party Picasso artist, I try to offer a great variety of designs: pretty, macho, scary, silly and wild; in addition to seasonal designs and themes for every event. Being an artist with a degree and over 20 years of experience, I have no problem taking requests. It can be a lot of fun. For example: a hockey puck with eyes, arms and legs holding a can of beer or a half butterfly and half tiger design. Making the customer happy is my job!

I also believe in constantly researching and working on new designs; as well as practicing to get my work at top form. It is like any other talent - practice makes perfect, and that's my goal.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. EVERYTHING!

The expressions of my clients are priceless! I try not to show my customers their faces until they are finished. Then I get that "Oh my goodness" face when they look into my mirror. It really makes my day!

I am a people person, so I enjoy the conversation and the compliments. It doesn't matter what the ages of my clients are. I am glad to be there.

Face painting has changed over the years. Now, it's NOT just for kids. People of every age are interested in getting painted. It's like getting a tattoo without the "forever"commitment.

Because I work with a wide audience, I get a larger variety of design requests. It's never boring.

Being a face painter brings me to a different audience with every gig: birthday parties, night clubs, sporting events, store family events, schools, reunions, baby showers and more. So I paint cheeks, arms, legs, shoulders and even bellies!

It is a great blessing to love your job.
And face painting is what I was born to do!