An Award!

For the first time in my 15 and a half years as a professional face painter, I decided to enter an international face painting competition, and it was worth it - I was awarded 3rd Place for international 2019 Face Painter of the Year!

FACE, the organization that certified me as a face painter, has a yearly conference, which took place this past weekend in Northern Ireland. Although I wasn't able to be there, since I'll be in Chicago later this month for my own 10 year wedding anniversary with Eric, I was able to enter two of the competitions via email, so I did!

The Showcase Face theme this year was Magic of Ireland.

Everything in the painting, except Giants Causeway (County Antrim), is based on photos that I took during our honeymoon in Ireland 10 years ago in Counties Wicklow, Kerry, and Cork.

That face placed me 3rd in the Showcase Face competition!

The Working Face competition had a time limit, and a Maritime theme.

While it didn't win or place, the points from the Maritime face, combined with the points I received for the Magic of Ireland face, placed me 3rd as international Face Painter of the Year too!

Enchanted Forest

Imagine that you're on a nature walk on a brisk fall afternoon; you are deep inside the cool clasp of the lush forest.

 

 

As you walk slowly, the sun peeks through the branches overhead. Twigs snap as inquisitive chipmunks chase each other; high above, the birds chatter. You stop. As you stand quietly on the moss and fern lined path you hear the soft murmurs of voices. You listen then decide to move farther into a small clearing in the trees. What do you see?!

 

 

It’s a gathering of mythical forest children… a gnome, a nymph, elves, and you even see the glistening wings of a fairy. You quietly hide behind a large oak tree and watch. They are having a celebration. Each is sitting on moss cover wooden chairs at a table set for royalty. The table is adorned with ornate colored glass stemware and rustic wooden flatware.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had the opportunity to take part in creating just this scene, face painting fairies for our Enchanted Forest Party, and working with other ridiculously talented party vendors and planners.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Want to see all the photos?  I've got them up at Face & Body Art by Larissa!  For now, here's the teaser video:

 

 

And here's everyone else who was involved:

Concept + Producer:  @petiteseats

Concept + Creative Director: @konfetti_boutik 

Décor Styling + Design: @konfetti_boutik

Photography: @dignatoledophotography

Escort Cards: @Chiquedesignandevents

Kids Tables + Chairs: @petiteseats

Donuts, Cakes, + Macaroons: @Kedbykcakes

Cookies: @DivinelyDolce

Videography: @burning_wick

Invitation: Etsy Vendor "ArtLery"

Face Painter: @njfacepainter

Halloween Rolls Around Again!

My favorite season is back!  On Tuesday, Eric and I went to a Halloween party hosted by LEAD, at a local BBQ place.  We had a blast. 

The party was a Halloween Hoedown theme, so Eric wore his everyday clothes - Wrangler jeans & plaid shirt, Justin cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat.  Yes, I met a country boy in Manhattan; don't ask me how.  Meanwhile, I wore one of my pairs of Wrangler jeans and my Abilene cowboy boots (he got to me, Eric did!), a torn t-shirt, one of my own old plaid flannel shirts, Eric's old ratty, tattered, cowboy hat, straw, pigtails and face paint... zombie cowgirl!  Because I can't get into a Halloween costume if face paint isn't involved.

And look what I got for my efforts!

Plus, I got to give the other attendees henna tattoos!  It was so much fun, and I loved going outside the box on some - like the house tattoo for the real estate agent!

Be sure to check back for more Halloween - I've got private appointments and parties!

I'm Certifiable!

Or rather, I'm actually certified!  And though I may be nuts, it's not quite what you think.  I am an internationally "competency certified" face painter!  I am now accredited by FACE:  The Face Painting Association.

On July 6, last Thursday, I sat for an assessment, after completing a fairly detailed written application.  The written application asked about my supplies, my hygiene and business practices, the colleagues with whom I've worked, and what I do when someone asks for a design I've never tried (wing it!)... it was pretty in-depth.  I also had to submit proof of insurance, and a photo of my kit was sent to the panel.

The practical assessment, which took place on the 6th, consisted of me face painting three faces in a timed setting, to exhibit that I've got the core skills FACE deems necessary for competency certification.  Every applicant must complete one face with a solid white base, a two- or three-color tiger, and a three(or more)-color blended bases that results in a princess, an abstract design, or a land/seascape.  FACE is adamant that its members be able to achieve airbrush-like blended and completely solid matte bases, as well as good, sharp, varied lines, distinct edges, and good color choices.

So, here are mine...

If you check out my website, you'll know that these faces aren't entirely my style, but I crossed my fingers and hoped the judges saw what they needed to see.  Then I had to wait, and if you know me, you know I am not a patient person.  It only took 8 days to find out, but I'm in!  I found out just yesterday morning, that I am member #564.

So why did I do this, and what is FACE, you ask?  Excellent question, I say!

It's an international face painting association, started in 1994 in the United Kingdom, dedicated to promoting professionalism and skill within the face and body art community for the benefit of our clients.  To that end, the competency certification is offered worldwide.

As of this writing, I'm one of only four FACE members in New Jersey, and only fourteen in the entirety of North America!

Is certification necessary for face painters?  Nope.  However, when you hire a FACE member, you know that you've got someone who's passed a stringent accreditation test, has ensured that their work meets the benchmark set by the association, and has committed to continued learning and striving to improve those skills.  You know you've got someone who maintains high levels of health and hygiene to protect the faces they paint.  You can rest assured that you've got a face painter who is insured, and uses only products which have been approved for use on face and bodies.

The Kids (or Adults) Can Get Creative Too!

On Saturday, I had the happy job of teaching a 9-year-old birthday girl and her friends how to paint a panda-themed painting in artists' acrylic on canvas!

Her mom suggested the subject, as pandas are her favorite animal.  In fact, the whole party was panda-themed, with an adorable cake, cupcakes, and decorations.

So I designed a panda painting in sketch form, and brought it along to the party with me, together with photos of a real baby panda and bamboo.  In fact, I bring everything we'll need - table easels, canvases, brushes, paint, water cups, palettes, and aprons.

I set up everything for the kiddos and my own easel and table, and proceeded have them paint the background in their own favorite colors, then go step by step with the shapes.

We had such a great time, and everyone was so into it, the kids and their parents alike!

And everyone got to take a masterpiece home!

I knew I liked teaching, but some of the fun at this particular party came from going beyond the borders of the canvas, and talking about how bamboo grows, how pandas are mostly vegetarian, and how perspective works.  We also discussed the placement of features on faces, and how adult features are located differently from baby and child features.

I left that party feeling just exuberant, knowing everyone had fun, including me.

If you want to know more about canvas painting parties or book one of your own, be sure to contact me!

Which Service is Best for my Event?

When discussing her daughter's party with a client recently, I found that she was having a tough time deciding which services to choose for the event.  Do you know which are best for yours?

Face Painting

Face paints are actually a water-based makeup, which wash off easily with just soap and water.  They can be used on the face or body without issue.  I've painted children as young as 4 months, all the way up to really fun grandmas and grandpas.

It's the most temporary of the art forms, which is great if parents want their children to have clean faces right away, if they've got school restrictions against body art, or just because everyone loves it!  Things to think about are that it does sweat off in extreme heat, rub off on things, and come off in the pool.

Temporary Tattoos

Most of the temporary tattoos, whether ink or glitter, are alcohol-based and water resistant.  Glitter tattoos are done with a skin-safe medical adhesive and cosmetic glitter; ink tattoos are done with skin-safe temporary tattoo inks.

Temporary tattoos don't rub off easily, and last from a few days to a week.  More teens and adults are likely to want them too!  They're great, therefore, at parties with an older crowd, pool parties, and dressier parties, like Sweet 16s, graduations, and even weddings!  These won't come off on the bride's gown, and if she loves hers as much as I did mine, that's a definite plus.  The alcohol-based tattoos cannot be done on the face, so they're great for hands, arms, legs, backs, and shoulders.

On the other hand, I have an additional adhesive that's safe for use on the face.  This one washes off easily with soap and water, so it doesn't have the longevity of the other tattoos.  When at an event, I bring both types of adhesive, so they're always available.

Henna

Teens, adults, and even some kids love henna!  It's a traditional art form that goes back thousands of years, and with it, a multitude of designs are possible.  Henna is not applied to the face, so it's better at events and during seasons when arms, legs, hands, and even shoulders will be available.

When applied, henna is a viscous paste, and can rub and smear if the wearer isn't careful, resulting in a messy stain on the wearer, so it's not recommended for small children who can't keep track of their tattoo until it dries.  It's also not recommended for events at which there will be water-based activities, such as pools or sprinklers.

A henna tattoo will last for one to three weeks, depending on the skin and area to which it's applied, and cannot be washed, rubbed, or scrubbed off.  That's both a benefit and something to consider.

Balloons

Everyone loves balloon twisting, from the youngest child to the most mature adult; they're just irresistible!  It's entertaining to watch, and at the end, each guest has received a favor.  However, if your guest list is primarily under the age of three, consider that balloon art may not be the way to go.  Once a balloon pops, it's a potential choking hazard, and for that reason our artist will hand balloon creations only to the parents of your under-3 guests.

While our artist has a menu of balloons he knows well, from which he will work when at a more populated event, if he has time, he's happy to try "winging" new designs, like this adorable bee, which was a first for him.

Canvas Painting

Are all your guests at least 5 years old?  Perfect!  Our canvas painting parties are different from the ones hosted at those static painting locations.  For starters, we come to you!  As long as you have table and seating space for everyone, you're all set!  I bring my own floor easel, a table easel for each guest, and all of the supplies needed.   Also, I don't have a set menu of paintings from which to choose, because I'll paint to any theme with you.  I'll need a couple weeks' lead time to get set up, but in that time, we'll discuss the guest of honor's favorite animal, place, or activity, and jointly design a one-of-a-kind custom a painting to create, geared toward the age group of the participants.

I'll teach your guests about color, and about how to see the shapes in things to create paintings on their own too.  For an idea of the steps we take, look here.

New Brushes

I was contacted by someone who distributes a brand of face painting brushes I'd never heard of before, Artacts brushes.  She asked me to do a video review in exchange for receiving the brushes, so I agreed.

I received them the other day, and first tried them tonight.  All opinions are truthful and my own.


They really are terrific, and the next time I need new brushes, I'll be ordering them myself, from here.

Purim Party

I recently got to paint faces at the Chabad Center of Passaic County's Purim party.  It was imoji-themed, and a blast.

 

This is the same group that had the glow-themed Chanukah party, and I really like these kids.

My one lament?  One boy had the really awesome idea of a Spidey imoji and my only photo was blurry!

Boo!  In my defense, I'd forgotten my good camera, and was using my phone for all of these.  On the other hand, his brother followed suit and got a Hulk imoji, and I got a cool shot of that.

Aren't they fun?