So, 2 years after my first and last post (I'm sure most would be bloggers can identify) many things have happend. I gave face painting a fair shot. I learned quite a bit about myself and the trade. Face and body painting like any 'home business' take major dedication. Starting out doing festivals and birthdays is very difficult and time consuming. There are so many 'face painters' out there than are using acrylic paints and charging a dollar a face that it's difficult to come out on top some times.
It's always great to see (when a festival director has booked 3 face painters and placed us right on top of each other; along with a non profit group that's painting for free) child drag a parent back to my booth. "I want this one.", says the kid. I want to dance a jig and be like "Ye-ah! This kid knows talent when they see it!" But that's in my head. Outwardly, I give this wonderful child my best sparkle smile and paint my absolute best dino-face.
I did fairly well, considering the price of gas and most of the time I had to travel atleast 45 minutes to a booking. There were things that I didn't take into consideration.
It's mostly weekend work. I have two young children in school which only leaves weekends to really spend time with them. Strike one.
It took two days of feeling like I had been hit by a truck to recover from an all day festival. Strike two.
Most people can't pay what you're worth and have invested (i.e. gas, time, make up, etc.) and Strike three; I'm out. Mostly, for me though, it was the time it was taking from my children and my body seemed to be rejecting all the lifting and smiling.
I will say it was alot of fun. I met some very interesting and passionate people.
My advice if someone was thinking about making this more than just a hobby? Be ready to live it and give it the time this artform deserves. With gas prices being what they are make sure you aren't living in too rual of an area. Weight your tent. Recruit help. Get a tall stool. Almost any face paint on your face scares babies. Be patient. Stay cool. Practice for speed. Love it and have fun.
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