In my years working as a face painter, I’ve noticed that some of the same questions come up over and over. Kids are known for being inquisitive, but even among adults I have recognized a pattern of questions that come in. So I’m addressing some of them here, in case you have a curious mind too!
How long have you been doing this?
I bought an inexpensive face paint palette and began practicing on myself in the middle of 2018. By the end of the year, I came up with a name for my business and opened social media accounts. I offered my services on a volunteer basis until I was sure it was something I could be good enough to charge for. At first, only friends and acquaintances were booking me. I was so excited when strangers began finding me! I was also getting jobs through the amazing connection I made with Miss Rainbow at Rainbowland Arts, and through local entertainment companies like BAM Entertainment. My business has been growing steadily ever since, which leads me to my next question…
Is this your full time job?
Yes! Well, sort of. My kids are my full time job, and my schedule as a children’s entertainer works beautifully with my family life- especially since I’ve got a great support system. Some seasons are busier than others, but fortunately I stay booked up enough throughout the year to call this my job!
How did you learn to face paint?
During my first few years in this profession, most of my learning took place on YouTube and TikTok. I watched countless face painting videos and practiced on my arm and my own face. Since repetition is the key to getting better at anything, I noticed improvement as I worked my way through *lots* of birthday parties and public events.
Once I established my business, Miss Rainbow started telling me about the children’s entertainment conventions she’d been attending. I decided to join her for the Midwest Artist Xtravaganza (MAX) in 2023. Learning from the industry’s most respected artists in person leveled up my work and was a huge source of inspiration. I even had the incredible experience of having MY face painted by some of my favorite artists! So I’ve assigned myself a continuing education requirement of attending this convention every year since then. 🤩 Bringing these skills back home to my community is something I take great pride in!
Are you an artist?
I’ve always been intimidated by the fine arts. I love a good gallery visit and I do appreciate art, but when it comes to making it, I prefer a laid-back, low pressure approach. Face painting gives me creative freedom, because it’s just for fun and is meant to be washed off at the end of the day anyway. I’ve always identified as more of a crafty girl. Maybe it’s imposter syndrome, but I still have a hard time calling myself an artist even though I literally do art for a living!
I thrive on the interactions I have with people. Painting them to match their imaginations, then showing them in the mirror, is where the magic is for me. So my work might never show in a gallery, but I believe the memories made in those moments are priceless in their own way.
What’s your favorite thing to paint?
My favorite designs are the ones that turn out to be EXACTLY what the person in my chair wanted! Many face painters live for the “mirror moment,” when our subjects light up at the sight of themselves. It is so rewarding! So if the kid loves snakes, my favorite thing to paint is a snake. If they have the heart of a unicorn, nothing would satisfy me more than to make that happen. If it comes down to purely my own preferences, I enjoy painting dragons, butterflies, flowers, and spiders.
What designs do you paint the most?
My top-requested face paint designs are tigers, butterflies, Spiderman, unicorns, and dragons. If I had to narrow it down to just one, the tiger is probably the most popular choice. I sometimes tell kids that you haven’t really made it as a face painter until you can paint a good tiger. 🐯
Why don’t you paint the faces of children under three years old?
The reason many artists won’t paint the faces of younger kids is because our insurance requires us to use products as labeled, and they’re all labeled for use on children three and up. Although I’ve never had any skin reactions reported or problems that I know of, using my materials in a way that would be covered by my insurance policy provides added peace of mind for myself and the families of the kids I paint. When younger children wish to participate, I’m happy to offer an alternative, such as a small design on their arm using the same safe, professional-grade paints.
What did you do before this?
In the years leading up to my job as a children’s entertainer, I had a fulfilling career at the Tulsa City-County Library. Some of my responsibilities included leading weekly storytimes for babies and toddlers, planning events for various age groups, and training teen volunteers. I even had my first face painting experience during a summer reading kickoff party in 2014! To find out more about how I transitioned from a library girl to a ukulele-playing face painter, check out this post.
I’m so content with where I am right now, and thankful for all the birthday mamas, church workers, PTO volunteers, school staff, local organizations, and entertainment agencies that have supported my business over the years. ♥️ Let me know if you have any other questions!
Wonderworks 