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

Henna Tattoos!

As a face painter I took a henna tattoo class to help my face painting. Well, it did not help my painting, but I fell in love with it!  What great fun and peace.  That is my work on the left.  The art in ancient, and full of history, religion and love.

I helping to bring the Devine Neeta Sharma is coming down to give an intermediate - pushing into advanced - henna workshop on March 15m 2010! Only $75! From 11 am - 5pm, followed by a jam to 9 pm!

She have been doing henna designing for almost 20 years. She has promoted the art in India, Australia, Canada, and now in California USA. She specializes in Bridal Mehndi, Arabic, Indian traditional, tattoo design and glitter henna. She is the author of three books: The Art of Henna Designing and More about the Art of Henna/Mehendi and Sangeet-Mehendi Patterns for Wedding Guests.

If you are interested, email her at mehndidesigner@gmail.com

Location is at the Panda Garden Restaurant, Montclair, California.

- Lilly Walters, Henna Artist, http://www.funhennatattoo.com

909-398-1228

Cavemen, Face Paints and Glittter Bling!

For thousands of years people have loved the idea of using something on their face or body to make a statement of love, war, joy, or to just enhance their beauty. We know that cosmetics were used by the Ancient Egyptians around 4000 BC. In the Old Testament— Ezekiel 23:40 it says, “… and when they arrived you bathed yourself for them, painted your eyes and put on your jewelry.”
Turns out it goes back much farther!
Scientists have found shells in two archaeological sites in the Murcia, a province of southern Spain, containing pigment residues. They feel these were actually Neanderthal make-up containers for face and body painting. They were found by Professor Joao Zilhao who reports were used to mix and preserve pigments. They found lumps of yellow paint, which may have been used as foundation, and red powder, which may have been applied as blush.
And guess what else was on those shells?

According to Professor Zilhao, "Glitter makeup, or shimmer makeup ... where you, over a foundation, you add shiny bits of something granular that shines and reflects. When light would shine on you, you'd reflect."

The findings were reported at proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The shells date from about 50,000 years ago, 10,000 years before modern humans showed up in Europe where it is thought they got "smarter." The scientists said its finding should make us doubt "the view of Neanderthals as half-wits" and shows they were capable of symbolic thinking.

Symbolic thinking is a process of imagining something, a meaning, from symbols. It is often archaeologically linked to painting of many types. For instance Ochre-painted bones were unearthed in one of the caves in Israel dating back 100,000 years. The link to painting led archaeologists to date the actual birth of symbolic thinking to at least 100,000 years.

Fun know that as face and body painters we are symbols of creative thinking that go back a very long time!

For more on this professional face painter's tips on face and body painting and face painting class

Marketing Tips for Face Painters, and Family Entertainers

I have written several books on marketing ideas.  One is just for family entertainers: "500 Tips & Tidbits to Boost Your Income! Inexpensive Rainmaking Ideas in Dry Times For Family Entertainers:  Face Painters, Clowns, Magicians and More."

This book is a selection of ideas that have been proven to grow the businesses of family entertainers. I have them in quick, simple short tidbit paragraphs. The sort of notes I take when I am sitting in a seminar, gathering great ideas. When I hear something good, I make a few quick notes, knowing it will expand in my mind later with applications specific to my life. These tidbits are those expanded ideas.
I have sorted those ideas into categories and numbered them out one at time! Like this …



1. It is better to do something for nothing, than nothing for nothing. Do not sit around and wait for customers to call. Fill each day with doing something to move your business into the public’s eye!

2. Start with what you are passionate about and love to do.

3. There are too many ideas in this book to act on all of them. Grab those that ignite a spark in you. Those are the ideas that will add the most important aspect in making ideas work – DRIVE. Will they work for you? Not if the idea that does not get you excited and inspired. As you go through the hundreds of income generating ideas here, avoid the insanity. Focus only on those few that match you. Your passions, your abilities, and your expertise.

4. On the other hand, some seemingly uninspiring ideas might seem ridiculous - until you try them and see them work.

5. Keep a pad of paper close to you as you read the tips and tidbits in this book. Many more – better and perfect for you – will be born as you read. An idea here will inspire another.

7. Throughout the book I refer to all family entertainers as performers or entertainers. As a face painter, or balloon artist, you might not feel you are a performer, but rather an artist who is perhaps entertaining. Magicians and clowns, now they perform. To increase your income, change your mind set. The minute you hand out a business card, you are performing. That doesn’t mean a fake facade. It does mean you are alert and alive to all the caring, loving ways you can bring laughter and awe to a crowd.

__

Keep coming back to this blog. I will post more ideas soon!

- Lilly Walters, 909-398-1228

Henna Tattoo Artist, Face and Pregnant Belly Painter, in Claremont, La Verne, Upland, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, San Dimas and Glendora http://www.funfacepainting.com/

Books and Face Painting Classes
http://www.funfacepainting.com/book.html
"500 Tips and Tidbits to Boost Your Income
Inexpensive Rainmaking Ideas in Dry Times. Marketing Tips For Family Entertainers:
Face Painters, Clowns, Magicians & More
http://www.funfacepainting.com/book.html
Forum Group Owner West Coast Face Painters,
http://groups.google.com/group/west-coast-face-painters
Painting on Fabric and Painting Patterns
http://paintonfabric.com/


Paint Cement Patios to Look Like Cobblestones
http://www.cobblestone-cottages.com/paintcementpatiofloors.html

Face Painting Classes and Workshop

Well, life is very good for the first few days of 2010.   I have two Introduction to Face Painting Classes coming up, which I LOVE to teach. See http://www.funfacepainting.com/facepaintingclass.html

I will be at two of the largest conventions for Face and Body Painting in the USA this year.