I love my job. But I never dreamed of being a face painter. Not because it wouldn’t have appealed to me but simply because up till about a couple of years back I did not even know what face painting was. But I have always been an artist, ever since I was very young. And even though oil on canvas was my staple I always loved to experiment with different mediums – like charcoal, fluid paintings etc. So upon being introduced to “Kids getting their faces painted” in a kids party I had attended a couple of years back I thought I would try it too.
My drawing canvas at the very beginning- my dear little daughter who jumped at the idea of getting her face painted. Of course I looked up the safety precautions and well being rules. I made a few face paintings and got incredibly positive reactions. Started face painting at children’s parties with people I knew in the very beginning and then it just took off, better than I expected. Now I am booked every weekend, and get to meet some incredible people – which I enjoy even more so because events like birthday parties, christenings, baby-showers etc just bring out so many beautiful elements of different cultures that I feel I am very lucky to witness.
What worked for me I think was that I have been dabbling in art all my life, AND I love kids. Some face painters may not have been doing art before face painting and many artists (many of them better artists than me) might be tied to a particular medium of art, or may not like the idea of painting on wiggly little faces. I never thought that the idea that I find little ones so cute would one day help me. I really wouldn’t have been able to do or like this line of work if I did not enjoy kids so much.
Thanks to all the little bubs and their parents for making me a part of their world. Even if it is for a short while.