Showing posts with label NJ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NJ. Show all posts

Wicked Faire 2010

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Wow, what a weekend! Jeff Mach's Wicked Winter Renaissance Faire was even bigger and better this year than previously. Eric and I were kept so busy that we didn't even have time to see it all.


I was doing face and body painting, as ususal, but this time we also had our soaps for sale with us. Unfortunately, that meant that Eric didn't get to travel with me when I took my face painting cart to my various body painting assignments.

I did, of course, paint the wonderful Aiden, who oversees every aspect of vendor organization for the event, from registration to placement, to complaints.


Each year, the event has a different theme. This year's theme was Alice in Wonderland, and it was a wonderful springboard for costuming. I, of course, was happy that it led to people wanting me to assist with their outfits like this adorable Cheshire cat...

Of course, there was the typical Renaissance Faire fare of swirls and curls.


In amongst those, I was honored to paint the very talented Sarah, of musical group This Way to the Egress for the band's Saturday night show.

Of course, the male faire attendees and employees didn't let me forget them either! This handsome gentleman, Mike, from Virginia let me take advantage of his available "canvas" and really have some fun.

I think I'm ready to start painting Harleys! Ha!

And Oliver, who was working at the faire and who, together with his girlfriend Timna, makes the most amazing Steampunk accessories, had me paint him to match his very cool outfit.

Last, but definitely not least, on Sunday I painted one of my most loyal models, Patrick. What's a Renaissance faire without zombies?

Especially happy zombies.

Even better than all of this, on Saturday evening, I was given a stage an an audience, to complete a body painting demonstration on the lovely Toni. With her cat ears and tail, I had to give her a cat face to match.

But the body painting was the real star of the show. We had three people taking photographs as I painted my Alice themed design...

Because we had professional photographers taking pictures, I'm not going to post the full finished product today. I don't want to ruin the look by showing you less-than-perfect photos of the painting, which was completed, back and front, in just over an hour! As soon as I have the pro photos, I'll be sharing them.

I also had the pleasant surprise, though, of a surprise body painting assignment earlier on Saturday afternoon. There was a fashion show scheduled, and the organizer's order of body paint hadn't arrived in time. The fiance of a woman I painted last year let them know that a body painter was actually available at the faire, and I was hired to complete the "outfit."

My model was to have cat ears, a tail, and a gorgeous mask, and I was asked to paint her following the style of the mask in pink and black. It was craziness. I brought my cart to the hotel room where all of the models were getting dressed. The others were wearing beautiful Victorian and faire clothing and just the one was to be a body painted cat. People were getting dressed and corseted all around us, hair and makeup being completed, while my model and I twisted and turned around each other to get her done as quickly and beautifully as possible. The energy was incredible.

The fashion show was photographed and videorecorded professionally, and I will have both photos and video links. I'm waiting for those photos and links before I post the results here, so be sure to check back! I wasn't able to see the show, but I'm told my model was absolutely amazing on the runway.

All in all, we had an amazing time, and are completely exhausted!

It's Not Just Faces

Thursday, February 18, 2010

For a face and body painter, all skin is canvas, not just the face. On this blog, I've posted photos of arms, necks, and chests I've painted as well, but that's not the long and short of it either. Body painting is an art form, used all over the world in television commercials, print ads, and even an annual issue of Sports Illustrated!

This weekend, I'll be doing face and body painting at the Wicked Winter Renaissance Faire in Somerset, NJ. I've done this for several years now. The difference is that this year, I won't just be a vendor. On Saturday night, I'm scheduled to do a body painting demonstration on stage! I'm incredibly excited about this, since I love theater as well as painting, and so now I get to combine two of my arts.

It's not the first time I've body painted. In fact, the model I'm painting on Saturday night is one I painted at last year's Wicked Faire as well. Last year's theme was "Wicked Chocolate Factory," so I used face paint as a base, then Green Marble to seal the design. On top of that, I painted her with body frosting I purchsed just for this event.

This year's theme is "Wicked Tea Party," based on Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, so I've got a design planned that I hope will wow the masses! As a big fan of Alice, all I hope is that I can live up to the story and do it justice.

I also go every year to New Orleans in March (except last March, when I was busy getting married!) to LA Fete, the Living Arts Festival, and take classes in face and body painting, henna, and other forms of body art. We also face paint for one afternoon of the event at the New Orleans Zoo and donate the proceeds to charity.

In 2008, I worked with two friends, Elaine Tindell-Rohr of Alabama and Lisa Rickels of Mississippi, on this great goth body painting one evening.

On another evening of the event, we painted models for a burlesque show at a bar in New Orleans. Lisa helped me realize my design on our wonderful model, Tiffany, who was a hit at the show!

This weekend should be incredibly busy and tiring, but great fun. Expect lots of photos!

What a Party!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

I painted this evening at a christening that could've been a bar mitzvah or wedding. It was at Macaluso's in Hawthorne, and the proud parents were hosting a big crowd. The DJ kept everyone busy, but as soon as I started to set up, the kids gathered. I didn't even put my table up before they were jockeying to go first.

The hit face tonight was the puppy, just like one I did at the birthday yesterday. No one even wanted a different sort of dog - a dalmation or a shih tzu - they were all about the hound-like dog I painted initially. I had two tigers, lots of peace signs, and a couple of other faces, but the one I actually liked best was on a teenager who just asked for a really small butterfly by her eye.

I can't peg exactly why I like it so much, but it strikes me as really clean, pretty, and simple. She was absolutely in love with it, and the customer's reaction always colors my opinion of the painting too. So that must be it also.

A Day of Firsts

Saturday, January 23, 2010

I painted today at two birthday parties. The earlier, in Wayne, was a first birthday, and it was a slow start. Lots of kids wanted to get painted, but no one wanted to be first. I find that every now and again. Well, this brave girl decided to run with it, and became a puppy.


She was great, and the face was a hit That prompted her friend to join in, but she was more or less undecided as to what she wanted. She started talking around a fish, but didn't see how I could do it, so I suggested a fishbowl.


My first ever fishbowl! She loved it, as did everyone else there. Both girls took cards, and one told me that her dad said they might want me for her birthday too.

Meanwhile, a mom and dad of one of the kids each separately came over to book me for a party in early June!


After that, I got a couple of superheroes. Batman blinked, but they look great together.


This boy had been afraid to get painted initially, and then pulled together the courage to do it. He was ecstatic with his train, and kept wanting to look at it, either in the mirror or just by looking down at his nose as best he could.


My next victim originally wanted to be a Power Ranger, but no one had Google access to get me a photo to follow. I admit that's one cartoon I've never watched. So he came up with a bear idea, and dad asked me to do a ferocious bear, rather than a cute teddy. I did my best to comply, right down to the snarling teeth and fish dinner.


Last, but definitely not least, grandma wanted a bluebird on her collarbone.



The shimmery blue I used was one of my new Fardel liquid paints, the ones I got from my Secret Santa in the UK. Now I'm truly addicted to them. It looked amazing in person, with a coppery shimmer that I loved!

It was just such a great party. Yes, it's a business for me, but more than the cash, I love it when everyone's into the painting and having fun. I love it when kids who are shy at first finally get up the courage to get painted and really enjoy it. I love it when adults are willing to join in the fun. And of course, I love it when people love the work I do. I won't lie, the ego boost is nice and I left the party feeling really happy and full of adrenaline.


The second party, in Lincoln Park, was a referral from the mom at this party last year! In fact, my Gene Simmons was at the party too, as was last year's birthday boy, who I'd painted as a pirate. He wasn't into getting painted this time, but his mom was.


I got to play with my new Fardel paints again, too!


The birthday boy chose one of my favorite things to paint - a tiger.


How cute was he? He loved it, and promptly became a tiger, growling and baring his claws at the other kids. Some other animals joined him in the jungle, though. Like a leopard.



And a lion.



And even a mini tiger. I love it when the littles get painted!

Once that cutie got painted, of course, other parents wanted to see if their kids would sit for me too, and they got even younger! Like this puppy, who was about 7 months.

After that, the parents of this 4-month-old had to see if he could be painted too. I think he might be my youngest customer to date!

And I'm not sure that record will ever be beat.

Of course, not everyone was a jungle animal or tiny. We had a kitty.

And a Giants fan, despite their current standing as 10th place in the NFC.

Gotta respect that!

Another great party for a bunch of great people. All in all, it was a terrific day!

I love face painters!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

I'm a member of several worldwide face painting discussion groups. One is small enough, though international, and close enough, that we've become good friends. So a couple years ago, someone suggested a secret Santa exchange, and of course I wanted to participate. I love gifts - giving and receiving!

Our version extended past the holidays, into mid-January.

Yesterday, I was feeling really blech. My stomach was bothering me, and I didn't get anything done as intended. So when the doorbell rang and the dog went crazy barking, I was in even less of a good mood. When I got there, though, things got a lot better. I had a fat, padded envelope from a great face painter, Paula Southern, in the UK!

Wow, did I score! In addition to some awesome organic chocolate, a soap making book and some essential oils for our soaps and other bath products, a beautiful card to inspire my henna,

and some very cool bindis,

she sent me three bags of gorgeous shimmery cosmetic glitter.

And on top of that, my personal favorite, she sent me six jars of liquid Fardel face paint! Just look at those amazing colors! The deep blue is already my favorite.

Fardel is a Belgian face paint company, still EU and FDA compliant, but hard to get here in the States. So this is HUGE for me. I can't wait until my next party on 1/23, so I can try them out!

Tips When Hiring a Face Painter

Saturday, January 2, 2010

I've just read an article by Anders Eriksson, located here.

I don't know Anders Eriksson, but he makes some very good points I thought I should highlight for my readers.

If you can, know your face painter before hiring him or her for a party.

You do want someone who's good with kids, who can interact with them well, and who is neither bouncing off your walls nor standoffish. You want someone fun, but who can cotnrol the line and insist upon maintaining a "polite zone."

You want someone who's using the proper products; not just FDA-compliant face paints, but also glitters and shimmers. You want someone who is concerned for the safety of your child and your guests. Always ask!

And you want to see samples of your face painter's work. Unfortunately, there are an uncrupulous few who lift the photos of others' work off the Internet and advertise them as their own work. Most painters who are willing to misrepresent their work in this way can't live up to their promises; they don't deliver the work the advertise. Again, always ask! It's worth it!

gz-Body Painting or I got up at 6:30 this morning.

Yes, on a Saturday. I had a good reason, though. I was face painting with two other artists at the Valerie Fund walk in Verona Park this morning.

We were all painting furiously for several hours straight, so I only had a little time to take photos, but here are some of them.

Two princesses and a monster.



A request for a red skeleton that was neither bloody nor angry, so we added glitter. Nothing with glitter could be angry. Except maybe my cat. He glares at me when I get glitter on him.


My first bumblebee in many years.


A shark.


A tiger. As you know, I love it when adults want to get painted.


A request for a unicorn with rainbows, for which I simply didn't have time. Instead, my model compromised with me for a unicorn with a rainbow mane.


My very first werewolf.


And some wildcats. I painted the two on the left; one of the other two artists painted the leopard.

 

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