Happy Indpendence Day, the Face Painter's Way!

I painted at my annual appearance on Wednesday at the Ridgewood Country Club's 4th of July party.  I love that so many of the kids remember me and come looking for me.  I had some fun ones this year, like my first-ever request for Yoda!

Star Wars was popular this year, and I had two more Yodas plus a couple of Darth Mauls.  Some of those had requested Darth Vader, but I talked them out of it, since I've yet to figure out how to make a fully black face defined like a Darth Vader mask.  I love trying new things, but even I have my limitations.

I also did my first pink & green ladybug, at this young lady's request.  I think it's pretty cute!

As is my first blue dragon with red eyes, as specified by my model.

And another first, a poison dart frog.  I happen to love poison dart frogs, so I was really happy to get this request.

And then some old standards, rainbow butterflies, monsters, Spideygirl, a clown, and zombies.  What's the 4th of July without zombies?

And of course, the regular 4th of July hits, flags & fireworks!

Hope you had a good day too!

A Weekend Outdoors

This past weekend, I painted at two events, both large, and both events at which I have painted many times before. 

Friday night was the Zoo Do at the Bergen County Zoo in Van Saun Park in Paramus.  There were four of us working the three hours that night, and it was a great event!

It's for zoo members, and they have music, food, us, and the animals out for the kiddos and their families.  My sister, brother-in-law, and nephew actually came, but didn't get painted.  My nephew, at 2.5 years old, still hates having anything on his face.  He's adorable and would make a terrific model, but irony strikes again.

We were really busy, so I only got a couple photos, but I really liked this frog and this mountain lion.

Then on Sunday morning, I had to be in Verona Park in Verona, NJ to face paint with two other artists bright and early for four hours during the Valerie Fund Walk.  I seriously have never met a better bunch of people.

This little girl stopped by with her grandpa, who insisted that the angel painting was simply a representation of the great kid she really was.  I believe it.

This young man had trouble choosing a good color for his cat, so we finally settled on a cool lime green.

And of course, in addition to a domesticated cat, there had to be wild ones - cheetahs and tigers!

Of course, I had a whole series of butterflies...

... and other bugs.

A couple of flowers.

A dinosaur & dragon...

... the dragon request came with a suggestion of pink lips instead of fire!

Some animals that like the water, like ducks, snakes, and a mythical mermaid.

And the most unusual request of the day, a softball!

I've Been Holding Out on You

Back in May, I painted at two events in one day. 

The first was the first communion party of a girl whose brother had me at his communion two years ago!  Their mom kept my info handy so I could come on back.  I love that, and remembered the name instantly when she got in touch with me.

This awesome family and their friends are defintely independent thinkers; I don't think I painted two kids with the same design at all!

The guest of honor even went last and made up her own idea, this rainbow turtle.

I kind of love the idea and want to add it to my regular repertoire.  And yes, I always do my turtles upside down so they share a smile with the painted child.

I did have two of my staples, a tiger and a butterfly, but only those two.

And I finally got to use that fox face I designed for the show I was in!

I actually had time to give one boy two faces, since he changed his mind.  Initially, he was a gorilla.

But I think some of the younger kiddos were scared, so he washed it off and came back for an alien.

One young lady asked to be her own black lab.

And another just wanted a spider on each cheek.

The only other cheek art I did was on this Yankee fan.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party was populatedby kissing dolphins,

a pirate,

Evil Elmo (???),

a panda,

and a stitched up monster.

The most unusual request I got at that party, though, was for "paint splatters."  It took me a sec, but here's my rendition.

Like I said, I love creative kids!

Speaking of creative, I haven't even gotten to the second party of that day yet.  This one was a birthay being held later that afternoon.  The birthday girl requested, and I kid you not, an "angel puppy."

Well then.

So... I give you... my angel puppy.

Note the winged ears.  Hey, she loved it!

 Showing solidarity, one of her guests chose to be a straight up puppy,

and another a straight up angel, but with swirls on her forehead.

The two boys at the party became superheroes.

And even the adults got in on the action, which you know I love!