Face and Body Art International Convention

Well! Another FABAIC convention under my belt. At FABAIC (In Orlando), 500 artists, vendors and models come together to play, learn and be inspired.

So far they have asked me to come teach for the past two years. A feather in my cap, as newer artists, like me, don't normally get asked to teach this early in our journey's along the face painting line.

It has been a good year for me, I have been asked to teach at many of the neat conventions. It has taught me a few things about myself. One, I love to teach, and I am pretty good at it. Two, I don't play well with others!

I am a very organized teacher. I need LOTS of structure, well in advance. If I don't get that, I am very cranky. Some of the events I have gone too don't give me that. Luckily, FABAIC does.

My only real complaint (about an event that has a zillion good things to say about it), is that it did not have name tags. I had no idea how badly that would effect me. I have found that I have a tiny bit of fame now. So many people came up to me and said, "Lilly! Remember me?" Well, I might have, if they had a name badge! And when I did not remember them, I could see it hurt them, and embarrassed me. It threw me into such a tail spin, I would not have accepted an invitation to return next year, if they had asked me then.

BUT!! If you are a face or body painter, you must go. It is the MUST GO TO EVENT for you!

My favorite thing was doing the jams at night. I love to paint. And, to do it around people who were my 'fans' was exhilarating!!! Here are a few things I painted.

Face and Body Painting in Austratia

I am on my way to FABAIC, the Face and Body Art International Convention, in Orlando, Florida! I have even been asked to teach, which is just amazing as the best artists from around the world will be there! I am pretty sure they asked me to teach, just to be nice, because the other teachers are FANTASTIC!

Several instructors are coming from Australia, where they just had the Australian Body Art Carnivale 2010 in Eumundi. There are 72 photos of that event at: Article and photos of face and body painting in Australia

One of my favorite artists, Lynne Jamison, is coming from OZ. I even get to be her assitant for one class! I believe I am mainly holding her paint brush while she teaches, but I am looking forward to it :))

I will post photos as soon as I get home.

My poor husband will not doubt have 5 pizza boxes on the kitchen counter when I get back!

- Lilly Walters, 909-398-1228
Henna Tattoo Artist, Face and Pregnant Belly Painter http://www.funfacepainting.com

Books and Face Painting Classes http://www.funfacepainting.com/book.html

What A Wonderful Face Painting World

I am sitting here tonight hmmming, "What A Wonderful World." I've so much that is making me feel fulfilled, happy, and successful. This blog entry is a bit rambling and mushy, but, hey, it's my blog. I'm feeling so happy and blessed, and I want to share :)

I love my life now. There were many years where I was so depressed that my head felt so heavy it would just about be laying on my desk.

But now, life is good. God has blessed me in some amazing ways. I have so much to be grateful for and happy about. My husband, my home, Jim Abbott and this world of face painting.

Everything I have tried in this face painting world has worked without a struggle, unlike many things I have tried in the past. I put up a website to see if anyone would want to hire me as a face painter - and my phone started ringing away. I decided to teach a few face painting classes - now I teach at least one a month and they're actually filled! I wrote a few books and my personal heroes in this face painting world actually like them and sell them! (Marcela Murad and Heather Banks).

The latest book is doing well: 3-D Face and Body Painting Jewels and Necklaces. Silly Farm, THE face painting supplier in the world is doing a "splash" on it. Talk about an ego boost.  This photo is of my mother-in-law who came out for a month and got painted daily!

I have been asked to teach a class at FABAIC - the largest face painting event in America. This is huge! To be asked to teach there so early on in my face painting life is, well, HUGE.

In this world I am able to combine bits of so many things I love: theater, marketing, teaching, art and children. I can run my business from my home while wearing my PJ's! I no longer need custom silk suits, my Levi's and wild crazy tops and just perfect. What a different place my closet is these days.

This all feels so good and right. Sure, there a few icky people that bring clouds of grey whenever they come around. But, they don't come around much!

Most important, I have made friends that feel like family. When I need to laugh - or cry - I have people to go to.

Thank you God. It's a wonderful world :)

Creating Metallic Dragon Necklaces and Dragonflys with Face Paints

I was inspired by a wonderful face and body painter from Australia, called Ambah. She does fantastic jewelry. So, I started working on it. This lead me to do dragon necklaces, and dragonfly pendants.  I am still working on my skills, but I thought you might like to hear how I am doing it.

This was the first time I tried this design, and using all of the products the way I did. (So I am extra flattered some of you liked it!) Probably will change it up a bit for next time. Each time I try one, I get just a little bit better. So, stay tuned!

Of course, I could have zipped it out in 5 minutes or less if I just glued on the jewels, and customers would have probably be happier. But, that would not have helped me increase my skills as a painter.
This is how I made THIS one work ...

That neat silver color is Kryolan's AquaColor metallic silver, that is the best silver, even if it is a bit flakey.  The other great silver is the Mehron metallic you mix with a mixing liquid. FYI, once the Mehron is mixed with the mixing liquid, it is easier to apply, and really pretty. However, it is a pain to mix at a gig and I get powder all over myself and my kit. When I need a good gold, I do use the Mehron with the mixing liquid, as I have not found a good gold yet.  But when I need a good silver for necklaces, I use the AquaColor.

I create the basic outline of the necklace, with a tiny detail brush and white paint. Then I fill in the outline.

The pink jewels on the dragonfly are created with Interferenze Strauss Wine.

The shadows inside the jewels are with Diamond FX metallic red, a watered down Diamond FX metallic black, and the highlights are with Diamond FX's metallic white.

I highlight all of my necklaces with the Diamond FX metallic white.

When it is filled in as I like it, I outline it with a product I made myself. You can proably see it in the "chain." In a small bowl I mixed one teaspoon of the metallic silver that comes in a 'tube' from Mehron, some silver metallic loose powder from Ben Nye, some generic shimmer powder and a teaspoon of hair gel. I mixed them together, and spoon it into the corner of a plastic bag. I snip the corner of the bag, and sqeezed it into an ALMOST empty silver Liquid Bling bottle. It could be all the way empty bottle, but the one I had to use just wasn't :)) This drys ALMOST flat, but with a tiny bit of 3-D feel. You can make these "gilding pastes" as we called them in henna work, in just about any color.

Next, I add shadows, using Mehron's black Starblends and a brush I keep just for that purpose. For the ruby Victorian, I do much the same thing.

Finally, I use a few very small dots here and there of silver Liquid Bling on the "metal" part of the dragonfly, and the clear Liquid Bling on the pink jewels, to give it more highlights.

I will introduce my students to this type of work in a class I am doing April 6th, in Montclair. see http://www.funfacepainting.com/facepaintingclassadvanced.html

But I will have a whole 2 hour class, JUST on this at FABAIC, on Sunday, May 30th at 10 am.

- Lilly Walters, 909-398-1228

Henna Tattoo Artist, Face and Pregnant Belly Painter http://www.funfacepainting.com/
Books and Face Painting Classes http://www.funfacepainting.com/book.html

'1,000 faces for 1,000 tigers' Tiger Face Painting

Tigers, leopards and cats of all kinds are my favorite things to paint! I just saw an article about '1,000 faces for 1,000 tigers.'  It was a campaign held at Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen temple in Jenjarom, near Kuala Lumpur. Feb. 20, 2010, marked the launch of a conservation campaign by the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) to double the number of wild tigers in Malaysia by 2022 (the next year of the tiger).

80 volunteer face-painters and helpers face painted in two sessions to get the 1000 faces done.  See Photos at http://www.demotix.com/news/256153/1000-faces-1000-tigers

At the Pilgrim Place Festival each October I have a team of about 20 painters.  We do 850 faces in 2 six hour sessions! I understand just how hard that is to get done.

- Lilly Walters, 909-398-1228

Henna Tattoo Artist, Face and Pregnant Belly Painter http://www.funfacepainting.com/

Books and Face Painting Classes http://www.funfacepainting.com/book.html

 

Tips to Do Pregnant Belly Bump Painting

By Lilly Walters Schermerhorn, Pregnant Belly Artist and Face Painter


Belly painting is a celebration of your pregnancy! A wonderful addition to your baby book, or portraits for your nursery.


BE SAFE

Many think they will paint their tummies with a craft paint, something that says CHILD SAFE and NON-TOXIC. No! Those non-toxic paints will not kill you if you eat them (according to the manufacturers), but they are not meant to be used on the skin. They can cause blisters and rashes. Saying "paint" is a misnomer. Make-up used to be called paint, as in "painted ladies."

Only use cosmetic grade products created for use on the skin. Products that specifically say they are 'make-up' or 'face paint.' Face 'paint' is actually make-up, using the term 'paint' in the old sense.



DESIGNS
The design that might be the most fun is to allow your husband and/or children to dip their hands into a liquid face paint, and put their hands all over your baby bump. Or, to do finger painting.


You can also let your friends try a few things during a baby shower. Give everyone a brush, and let them have at it.

Professional artists can do a bit more. Let your belly bump artist know what you love: butterflies, lady bugs, flowers, baseball, teddy bears? The artist can then create something to match your style.

Even if you let your friends paint you, you can help their creativity by downloading cartoons form the internet of things you enjoy in your life.

There all kinds of techniques and tools to do your own painting in these face painting books.

BE COMFORTABLE

Make sure you have a comfortable place to sit. The painting process can take 30 minutes, more if your friends do it. Be in charge, move and rest as needed.
See photos of pregnant belly painting at: http://www.funfacepainting.com/pregna-nttummy.html

Make a wonderful memory for your baby book! Let me paint the baby to be at your Baby Shower. Prenatal Art for the Expectant Mommy is wonderful, unique fun. Afterwards, I will do extreme face painting glamour on all of your guests.

We will match your theme.

Or, you can come to my studio! (see prices)

909-398-1228

Moms Face Painting at Kid's Parties

Face painting can be the MOST fun activity of all. It can be pricey to bring a pro in. I know, I am a professional face painter :) The truth is, it is not that hard to do it yourself.

Here are a few tips to make sure your experience, and theirs, is FUN and SAFE.


> Pull a few easy designs from face painting books. There are several inexpensive ones online. Make up a chart with just 9, or so, easy faces you know you can pull off. Practice before the party on paper, so you feel comfortable. If you really are having trouble with a design, just don't put it on your chart! Insist the children choose from the ideas on your chart.

> Use cosmetic paints, products specific to be used on faces and skin. Your craft paints say, “Safe and non-toxic.” That only means you can eat it and not die, but you cannot put it on your skin! Get face paints and powders that specifically say they are to be used on the skin. You can even use make-up, for instance eye shadows with vibrant colors and colored liquid eye liners. Stay away from the cheap face paints that only come out at Halloween. They are often in trouble and have recalls.

> Use only cosmetic grade glitters, those found in the make-up section of the store, not the craft section.

> Have a few packages of antibacterial wipes (meant for the skin like Wet Ones!), and ask parents to help you clean their faces before they get to you. It goes a long way to helping with germs.
> Clean your hands after each person so you don't spread germs. You can use antibacterial wipes (meant for the skin like Wet Ones) or sanitizing gel.
> Put a few drops of plain vinegar in the water you use to dip your brushes in to help sanitze them as you paint.

> If you touch the eyes or lips, use cotton swabs. Load them heavily in the paint, then start to work. Do NOT touch the paint again once you touch the child's skin. That is how to transfer germs.

> Do not clean the paint off with baby wipes!!! Wipes are not meant to pull heavy make-up off skin. In fact, rubbing the paint with the wipe pushes the paint deeper into the skin. Soon, the poor child has a rash and the parent thinks it is because of the paint. But, it is because of all the scrubbing the parent did with the wrong clean-up tool. Instead, use soap and running water, a shower is best and will take it right off. Then, if there are tiny bits left, use anything you use to take our own make-up off, like Ponds. Also, baby oil or olive oil on toilet paper or a cotton ball.

I am happy to help you with tips if you need advice :)


Most of these face painting tips and ideas were pulled from http://www.thefacepainter.info/facepainters.html


- Lilly Walters, 909-398-1228
Henna Tattoo Artist, Face and Pregnant Belly Painter http://www.funfacepainting.com

Books and Face Painting Classes http://www.funfacepainting.com/book.html