Face Painter & Balloonist

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

A. We are a team. If face painting is what you are looking for, you will find nothing boring about the assortment of designs we have to choose from. You want Girly masks, princess, or butterfly designs, we got them. Boys want to be a cool superhero, we have them all! Or, you can be daring and creative, and suggest your own original design. If balloons are added to your event, hold on to your seat! People often comment that our balloon twisting is the best they have ever seen! Want a monkey, holding a banana, climbing a palm tree? No problem! We are very popular, get excellent reviews, and are called on for numerous repeat events. We will not disappoint.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. What I like most about face painting is the children. There is nothing more rewarding than a child looking wide-eyed and speechless when they see themselves in the mirror. Sometimes they just can't put the mirror down. I am always touched by the child who thanks me, without any prodding. Being appreciated? Yes, that's the best! I guess that's the why I do what I do. I've made a child smile, and that makes my day. There can't possibly be a better job for me! My two loves, children and art, what else is there!

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. People often ask me, "How long have you been face painting?" Or, they ask, "Did you have to go to school to learn this?" My answer is 18 wonderful yrs. I wish I had discovered it earlier in my life. I stumbled into this work quite by accident, and I'll never forget that day. I didn't go to an art school, I'm self-taught. I have always been artsy-crafty. That's what art is all about, doing what comes naturally, and I'm enjoying every minute of it! Now the children, THAT was an extra bonus! They are the ones that bring my art to life!

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. One of my most memorable stories about face painting, actually started out with me in a panic. I arrived at a house for a very large garden/birthday party. As I was unpacking and setting up, I discovered I had no paint brushes. I had left them at the kitchen sink, at home, after cleaning them. I was about 45 minutes from home, so there was no going back. I was so upset, all I could think about was how could I possibly disappoint all these children. With my tail between my legs, I confessed to the mom what had happened. She was so understanding, and offered to get the paint brushes she had around the house. All the while, she was trying to reassure me. Now I'm used to very specific brushes, that hold the paint well, and move nicely. Needless to say, the brushes given to me, were not even close. They were those plastic little kid brushes that you can pick up for a dollar. I graciously accepted this new challenge. As I am a perfectionist, I was not pleased with anything I painted that day. I felt that I was disappointing the children. But the kids kept coming, and were happy, regardless of what I thought. As the afternoon went on, I noticed this one little girl I had painted earlier, who was sitting nearby, watching me, the whole afternoon. She couldn't have been more than four. She spoke not a word, just smiled and watched. When it was time to leave, I stood up to start packing up. The next thing I knew, that same little girl walked right up to me, and threw her arms around my legs to hug me. In a soft little voice, she said "I love you. I was almost speechless, I think my heart skipped a beat. I'll never forget that moment. And here I thought my afternoon was going to be a disaster. I was so wrong. Not with that little angel watching over me.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. What most people don't know about me, is that I'm like a little kid, waiting for the weekend to get here. And when it does, I'm singing in the car all the way to my first event, and all the way back home. I could be totally exhausted after a long day, but I don't notice it, I'm on such a natural high. Then I sleep like a baby. Ahhh....