Learn How to Face Paint a Venetian Mask with Tina Carroll

Face and Body Art Television - FabaTVFABAtv is your online destination for face and body art classes. Whether you are new to face painting, a professional body painter, or even a magician, FABAtv has classes you want to watch. Take a class from the comfort of your own living room with fantastic instructors like Mark Reid, Lynne Jamieson, or how about Nix Herrera who was on Season 2 of Syfy’s hit reality show, FaceOff.
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FABAtv brings all the best instructors under one roof and gives you the key to access hundreds of classes and workshops from them! Subscribe today!

Not quite ready for a subscription? Not to worry! FABAtv has been satisfying the urge to learn of face and body painters everywhere for over a year now with free & live classes every month! July’s live class is being hosted by face & body painter, Tina Carroll!

Tina Carroll has been body painting for over 13 years and runs Transformations by Tina, offering her services in face painting, body painting, glitter tattoos, and henna to the Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. areas.

Tina’s work has been featured on several face and body art magazines, as well as being featured on the Fox 9 news in Minneapolis. She currently is working with face paint brand Snazaroo to release a face painting book sometime in the future.

Tune in to FABAtv LIVE on July 15th at 8PM EST for this free class on face and body art! Don’t miss it!

Venetian Masquerade by Tina Carroll on FABAtv LIVE

Do You Post Your Face Painting Prices?

Do you post your face painting prices?
To post, or not to post? That, is the question…

Whether or not business owners should list their prices publicly seems to be a source of lively debate. Caitlin from Cait’s Paints took a look at both sides of the argument, and broke it down in her latest article. Worried that clients will be put off by the numbers? Is responding to client emails about rates laborious, repetitive, and frustrating? Different methods will work better for different business models. Don’t worry, there’s a solution for everyone.

Head over to Artist Alley for the pros and cons of listing prices, and add your two cents to the debate!

Free Body Painting Class with Annie Reynolds

Annie Reynolds - Free LIVE Body Painting Class on FABAtv
Face and Body Art Television (FABAtv) is a subscription based, educational website for face and body artists. FABAtv has classes on face painting, body art, airbrushing, henna, and more! Once a month FABAtv hosts a free and live class from one of our many instructors. Take your body art to the next level with FABAtv and subscribe today!

Our featured FABAtv LIVE class for the month of May is Australian painter, Annie Reynolds!
Her company, ACA Larrikans Entertainment, has been providing quality entertainment and body art around Sydney, Australia for over 13 years.

Since she started to paint, Annie decided she wanted her paintings to be as good as her mentors Lynne Jamieson and Jinny MUA.

Body Painting by Annie ReynoldsBody Painting by Annie ReynoldsBody Painting by Annie Reynolds

After watching her paint amazing masterpieces, it was evident that Annie had already accomplished her goal. Her unique style of painting combined with her bubbly and enthusiastic personality has made her a perfect candidate to teach in the Face and Body Art International Convention. Annie’s other talents includes acting, singing and being a hairdresser.

Tune in May 15th starting at 8:00pm EST for this FREE & LIVE class on body painting with Annie Reynolds!

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Top 10 Reasons to Attend the FABAIC

FABAIC 2013 Welcome Banner
The 12th annual Face and Body Art International Convention (FABAIC) is upon us. May 22-26th the FABAIC will play host to 400+ of the worlds face and body art enthusiasts in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. The FABAIC has been described as a creative sleep away camp for painters. The FABAIC is a unique event that features hands on workshops, nightly painting parties called “jams”, the world’s largest face and body art supplies marketplace, the world renowned Body painting competition, and a weekend full of networking, creative moments, and extreme fun! The FABAIC is different than other make up shows because we focus on education. Our goal has always been to help you learn more so you can charge more and earn more. We design the schedule to be friendly and inviting to all levels including classes covering business, legal, marketing, balloons, face painting and more!

FABAIC FunCircus Body - Andrea O'Donnell at FABAICFABAIC 2012

The reason the FABAIC has achieved longevity and success is largely in part due to the fact that the producers are active face and body painters themselves. We brainstorm after each convention on how to improve classes, what are the popular themes and trends in the industry, and how we can plan the best possible convention for our fellow artists. We acknowledge that artists usually have to save up for the year to attend the FABAIC, which is why we go the extra mile to produce an event that exceeds their expectations. Upon arrival, attendees are greeted with bright colors, a welcome staff, and a convention goody bag filled with a t-shirt, schedule, and free goodies courtesy of the FABAIC and sponsors. Our talented instructor staff is usually in the lobby meeting and greeting attendees or painting their faces to kick off the weekend. Then we open the doors with a HUGE party and get everyone warmed up to express their colorful side. Whether you attend alone or bring a friend, you are guaranteed to leave feeling like you have found your long lost artistic family. So again, why should you make the time, effort, and investment to attend?

Here are our top 10 reasons why YOU can’t afford to miss the 2013 FABAIC!

10. Networking!
Where else can you make International connections with the world’s top artists?

9. Smorgasbord of Classes and Workshops!
ONLY at the FABAIC will you have the opportunity to take classes of this magnitude. We offer classes covering all areas of face and body art taught by the world’s top instructors.

8. Over $1,000 in cash and prizes!
The FABAIC hosts the infamous Body painting competition where you can push your creativity to the edge and win $1,000 cash prize.

7. Largest Body Art Marketplace!
Shop the world’s largest marketplace dedicated to face and body art supplies! Check out the newest products, shop and save!

6. Learning in Paradise!
The FABAIC is hosted at the lush tropical grounds of the Bonaventure Hotel and Resort in Weston, Fl. Escape the cold rainy weather and visit beautiful sunny South Florida. Take a vacation with your paint brushes.

5. Elevate your business!
Learn new skills to apply to your business right away, leave feeling rejuvenated and ready to take your business to the next level!

4. Hands on learning.
The FABAIC knows the best way to learn is by getting your hands dirty and painting the world. The FABAIC features the most hands on workshops anywhere in the world. Learn to body paint, get your hands bloody in our specials effects class, or discover the world of rainbow cakes. the possibilities are endless and the learning is unprecedented.

3. Jam, Jam, Jam!
What’s a Jam? Think of a jam as the world’s largest painting party. After a full day of learning break out your brushes, and get busy! But don’t forget to stop and take a look at your surroundings. What you will witness is magic. Imagine 400 painters jamming, painting, creating and enjoying the influence of art.

2. Once a year opportunity!
Many of our artists and instructors come from abroad to teach at the FABAIC. This is a once a year and maybe once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from the best of the best in one weekend for one low price. If you were to take classes from our instructors individually you would spend over $10,000 you save thousands and have more fun while taking classes!

1. FABAIC is the bridge that connects business success, business growth, everlasting friendships, creative motivation, and personal inspiration. Only at the FABAIC can you experience all of these things at once!

We encourage you to join us, make the investment in yourself and your business if you haven’t already! If there is anything I can do to make the FABAIC more enjoyable for you or if you have questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

Spotlight: Alex Hansen – Bones & Muscle Structure

Alex Hansen is an accomplished artist for body painting, airbrush and special effects. He has competed numerous times winning multiple awards all over, and has done special effects work in movies, such as 300 and Death Race. We’re excited to announce that FABAtv is bringing him to South Florida for a FREE LIVE class! That’s right. FREE.

Alex Hansen - Bones & Muscle Structure FABAtv LIVE

Each month FABAtv hosts an entirely free, live class on face painting, body art, magic, balloons and more! Tune in April 15th at 8PM EST to watch Alex Hansen and his class on Bones & Muscle Structure in body art.

We were able to catch Alex away from his busy life to share some details about himself and his journey as an artist.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from?

AH: Well, I’m originally from Brazil now living in Montreal Canada
Was raised my whole life in Canada, I have been an artist since the day I was born

Q: Are you an artist full time or do you have another job?

AH: Yes my other full time job is my Family Life!! My two daughters and my Queen, Lymari Millot

Q: What type of face and body art do you specialize in?

AH: Well Pretty much everything.. but my forte is airbrushing and special effects

Q: How did you get your start(in face and body art)?

AH: I started off in the night clubs scene in Montreal and then moved on to working my own concepts and body artwork…. and then went into teaching and competing

Q: What’s the most enjoyable part of what you do?

AH: Being Creative and also being an inspiration to other artists, teaching and learning new art forms and other stuff

Q: Do you attend any conventions, like the FABAIC?

AH: Yes I do.. I try to be as many events as possible. I might be cutting down alot on my travels pretty soon… I believe that the world needs a break from me and me from the world…

Q: What would you like to do more of, art or otherwise?

AH: Well art is my life…. being a great family man is what I love the most, besides that what else is there?

Q: Outside of art, what do you do for fun?

AH: I love going to movies, playing soccer, sculpting, and dancing with Lyrian my daughter

Q: Do you have any pet peeves?

AH: Well I have three…. Stupidity, tardiness and egos!

Q: Where do you see yourself in a couple years?

AH: well for sure a lot less traveling and starting out something I always wanted to do… Develop my own art school / studio

Q: Do you have any projects going on or in the works?

AH: I have way to many!!! Stencils and many other ideas… a book on the art of body painting which is a big dream of mine, I have had it since I started out in bodypainting

Q: What do you think of FABAtv?

AH: Well I think it is a great idea…. but I also believe you can never get the same effect with a teacher in person!!

As great as FABAtv is, Alex is right. You can’t beat a LIVE instructor! So be sure to tune in for his LIVE class Bones & Muscle Structure, and get a chance to ask him your questions LIVE!

Well, now you know a bit more about this talented artist. His services include and are available for editorials, television/film/video productions, photo shoots, trade shows, workshops, fashion shows, special occasions, promotions, events, and live performances.

If you want to reach Alex, he is available by email or facebook.
Email alexhansenart@gmail.com
Like him at Facebook.com/AlexHansenArt

Free & Live Bodypainting Class with Jinny Makeup Artiste

Jinny Makeup Artiste on FABAtv Genevieve Houle, who the world has come to know as Jinny Makeup Artiste, is a world renowned face and body artist. Co-creator of the Paradise Makeup AQ™, Jinny has traveled the world, teaching & performing her art for international media, shows, commercials and more. Jinny is widely recognized for not only her ability to paint amazing pieces of art, but to objectively critique and advise artists of all talent levels. She has previously been a judge at the World Body Painting Festival in Austria and at the Face and Body Art International Convention in the USA.

Jinny Body ArtJinny Body ArtJinny Body Art

Jinny is an active instructor, always willing to share her passion with others. Occasionally she puts out free tutorials through her youtube channel, but this week she will be traveling to South Florida to film a couple brand new classes for FABAtv! On Thursday, December 13th, Jinny will also be teaching an entirely FREE face and body art class through FABAtv LIVE! Tune in December 13th at 8pm EST for this hour long class on Quick & Wow Body Art!

Jinny Makeup Artist face and body art classes

Jinny Body ArtJinny Body Art

Thongs for Bodypainting: Review

I run Cait’s Paints, which offers an array of services by multiple artists. But me, personally? I introduce myself as a body painter. Women are my favorite canvas; adapting my work over so many curves and shapes presents a challenge with a never-ending array of possibilities. I truly find cause for celebration in the grace and strength of the human form.

However, not everyone is as gung-ho about nudity: Many models don’t feel comfortable having someone intimately painting their lady-bits, few magazines are keen on publishing nudity, and posting anything “offensive” onto sites like Facebook could get your page shut down pretty quickly. What now?

There are multiple options available for covering genitals: seamless thongs, G-strings, strapless pantiesProShields, Zombie Skin, medical tape, and probably a few more creative options I haven’t heard yet. It all comes down to your personal preference and budget.

My preferred canvas is a topless model wearing nude-colored thong underwear. I’m open to putting pasties on my models (should the model or venue require it) but finding good pasties has not been nearly as treacherous as my quest for the “Perfect Thong”:

Cotton thongs absorbed too much paint, making it time consuming and difficult to paint details. I felt that g-strings “pinched” my models hips. Victoria’s Secret seamless thongs were okay, but I wasn’t willing to shell out and extra $12 in kit expenses.

Then I found La Senza “Barely There” thongs, and something miraculous happened; The thong melted effortlessly into my designs, and painting the fabric was a breeze. My models have found them comfortable and flattering. They even offer a more conservative version, the “Brazilian“.

I had found my Dream Thong, but the price was still hefty…until I found a Dream Retailer as well! Braonsale offers La Senza’s panties for less that $5, with FREE SHIPPING! They also send me a coupon with each of my orders. Just typing this gets my heart racing! As artists, our kits easily contain hundreds or thousands of dollars in supplies; Knowing that thongs are no longer a major expense is a huge relief.

I hope you all enjoy this new find as much as I have. Stock up, but leave some for me!
– Caitlin

Free & LIVE Bodypainting Class with Mark Reid

Free LIVE Class with Mark Reid

Master bodypainter Mark Reid will be at the FABAtv Studios on Wednesday, November 14th to film some more amazing face & body art classes, as well as a live class! Tune in at 8:00 pm EST to catch this free class, just click on the banner above!

Mark Reid Tiger Face PaintingMark Red Butterfly eye design

In the past we have had the privilege of Mark teach some of the children classes at the 2009 FABAIC, where he left the parents in awe. Mark is very passionate about art and loves to teach. He is a regular at the Face and Body Art International Convention and we are proud to have him as part of the FABAIC family! So mark your calendars and tune in on November 14th for a free LIVE class with Mark Reid!

How To Get More Business

Creativity Takes CourageThere comes a time in every entrepreneurs journey where the road splits and we have to shift gears from operating as a hobby to full throttle sales. Many of us start off small, clients here and there, passing out the occasional card, and answering calls at our leisure. Problem with that is, at the same time, we have invested in hundreds and even thousands of dollars in supplies that aren’t generating income. So the real question is, “How do I get the business I want and need?”.

*Disclaimer: The thoughts, advice and information provided in this post are solely the opinions of the author and should be followed up with due diligence prior to holding them as truth.
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  1. Determine the level of business you are looking to pursue.
  2. If you want to do the occasional birthday or town event, or if you only want to work one weekend a month, I don’t suggest that you flood the town with business cards. If you are looking to work every weekend and possibly a restaurant or two during the week, then your strategy will differ. Some of us have BIG plans for our face painting businesses. We want to bring in the bucks, book tons of good paying gigs, and paint till our hands hurts. But it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. Typically a face painters busiest days of the week are Saturday and Sunday, which are also the days we like to spend with family, catch up on house chores, or attend our own personal events. Are you ready to commit your weekends to work? If you are, I will tell you how to get more business, but if you don’t want the responsibility of booking, invoicing, inventory, and working on the weekends, then you will want to consider working through an agent that will book you based on availability.

  3. There are no shortcuts to being successful in business.
  4. Investing is one of the most crucial aspects of business success and growth. When I refer to investing, I’m not just talking about in product. I am talking about investing your time in marketing (meeting people), volunteering, doing research and learning.

  5. Marketing yourself in most cases is free.
  6. Marketing involves putting your people skills to work. Get out there and network. Talk to your neighbors, teachers, friends, and get involved in your community events. Visit a local family restaurant and offer a family night to drum up business. That alone gives you the opportunity to network with other families in your area. Invest time in people and those people will turn into customers.

  7. Planning can mean the difference between success and failure.
  8. What am I talking about you say? Suppose it’s a busy weekend and you have three parties booked back to back. Rather than waiting until the day of to punch in the addresses in your GPS and drive frantically from event to event, map out your day on Thursday. Call the party mom’s or event managers to confirm locations and ask for any special instructions. Planning early will eliminate the surprise factor that can cause you to run late, mess up an address, or forget about a road closure that may take you 20 miles out of the way.

  9. Research is another core component of being successful.

Creativity is a way of LifeI spend no less than 20-24 hours a week researching trends, color schemes, browsing the web for ideas, new products, reading blogs, answering questions, watching you tube, teaching myself new skills and finding inspiration. If you are a newbie you will want to spend your time browsing the net looking for pricing ideas for your region, local events to market, research what services others are offering and at what prices, and how you can possibly collaborate with local agencies. Being prepared is important because when push comes to shove knowing your worth will mean the difference between ending the day in the red or the black.

Every year I face paint at the largest Hispanic festival in south Florida. Over 100,000 people attend this festival and being prepared pays off. I am hired to face paint the public at no charge. For me it’s a great event because I get paid whether I paint 10 people or 100 people. The difference is that we are allowed to accept tips. So it’s in our best interest to move the line. After several years of doing this event, I have my system down packed. I have a limited display and work from a board. I can paint almost 20 people per hour based on the board designs. I print off the flags of the various Hispanic countries, laminate the sheets and offer them as designs. This formula works to my advantage because I can move quick and my customers are happy.


open your mindLast year a local new painter decided to set up shop at the festival. Her first mistake was that she failed to do her research. One, you have to have a permit and insurance to set up a concession at a city festival. Two, she did not bring a table to set up her supplies, so she asked me to share mine. My client that hired me did not want her painting next to me because she didn’t know if she was using proper materials or had proper paperwork, so she made her move. Later that afternoon I saw the poor girl using an empty box as her table. Third, she didn’t come prepared. She did not have pictures for the people to choose from, she had to “look up” the flags on her iPhone, and she didn’t have extra water to use to change out her cup.

After the festival I walked over to her to talk to her and introduce myself. I handed her my card and told her to give me a call and that I’d help her. At first she seemed put off. Perhaps she was slightly embarrassed or didn’t know what my intentions were, but that call is the reason she is now running a successful face painting business.

If she had taken the time to visit the festival and do her research to find out if there were painters at the festival, what designs they were offering, what they were charging, if she was legally able to just show up and paint, what products they were using, etc.., she would not have faced the embarrassing challenges she brought upon herself.

Lastly, I want to stress the importance of learning. I have taken well over 300 classes on just face painting. I try to use any free time I have to watch a FABAtv lesson. Learning helps you be prepared, helps you service your customers better, and helps you gain an advantages over the other painters that only paint three designs or cheek art. For example, one of my favorite customers called and asked me if I could paint her daughters synchronized swimmers team and she was looking for water proof make up. Luckily for me I had just watched a class by Nix Herrera about airbrush make up application and that gave me the knowledge on what to offer her.

Another time when I was hired to paint at a boy scout convention. I stayed up till 3:00 AM watching classes by Mark Reid, Lynne Jamieson, Sammie Bartko, and Wiser just to brush myself up on the designs boys love. Learning is what engages us to try new things, explore beyond our comfort zone of butterflies and princesses, and can open up doors of possibilities. If you are struggling with speed, invest some time in learning techniques to help you speed up your designs without compromising quality. If you are uncertain about how to file your taxes or incorporate as a business in your state, invest time in reading and learning about it on the SBA website or business blogs. Don’t underestimate the importance of investing in yourself. You are selling yourself and your services. It makes perfect sense to be prepared with the right tools, the right knowledge, and the insight about how to do the best job possible.

Having those tools will certainly take you 10 steps in the right direction to create more sales, gather more clients and grow your business.

I write these articles to share my knowledge and help other artists grow. Please feel free to share you business advice with me and our community of painters. If you wish to write for the Faba Blog, contact us.

Happy Painting!

Creativity never goes out of style

Stanley Workstation Review

Figuring out how to store, transport, and organize my ever-expanding kit has been an ongoing endeavor since I first started. I tried everything from scrap booking totes to a folding crate on wheels, luggage sets and train cases. Nothing I tried seemed to offer the right combination of organization, size, ease of transport, cost, and durability.

Until I found the Stanley Fat Max Mobile Work Station. That’s right…a  tool box. I wish I could take credit, but my makeup artist friend Elizabeth deserves all the fame for this incredible find. Let’s have a look at the official specs:

Features and Benefits

Stanley Fat Max Workstation

  • 4 storage solutions in one includes toolbox, part bins, portable tray and oversized lower bin for larger items
  • Patented tiered cantilever multi-level rolling system allows easy access to all 4 storage areas at the same time
  • Durable Structural Foam construction
  • Telescopic handle for easy maneuvering
  • Easy latch system includes a quick push to close feature
  • Large front latch that locks the entire unit
  • Ball bearing slides for smooth operation even under heavy load
  • V-groove on top of lid holds materials such as lumber and pipes in place for cutting
  • Extra large, heavy duty metal latches with pad lockable eye lets
  • Extra heavy duty rubber-coated 7” wheels – for maximum stability
  • Height 29″,736.6mm
  • Length 17″,431.8mm
  • Width 22″,558.8mm

“That’s all well and good, but what does it mean for me?”
Inside Stanley Work Station

Four tiers of storage goodness with varying organizational options:
 The oversized lower bin fits large items (paint pallets), the part bins organize small items (business cards, pots of glitter), and the tool box fits medium sized items (baby wipes, sponges). Another bonus that isn’t mentioned in the official specs – the walls of the part bins are removable! You can easily slide these babies out and customize the size of the compartments to suit your needs.

Easy to clean interior & exterior:
“Durable Structural Foam” is fancy-talk for thick black plastic. Ever spilled glitter in your kit, or break a powder pallet? The smooth, rigid compartments wipe down easily, with the baby wipes you probably already have stored in there.

Maneuverability and ease of transport:
With a retractable handle and heavy-duty wheels, this thing treks easily up driveways, across fields, and down streets. It rolls around with you like a large piece of luggage, but remains stable through grass & rocks.

Heavy duty everything:
Think about it, this was designed for big burly men who like tools. It was built to store heavy things, and take a beating at construction sites, get covered in sawdust & dirt, then get tossed back into a pickup truck. Everything from the wheels to the snap-front-locks is rugged, and built to last.

Cheap Cheap Cheap Cheap:
I was able to find professional makeup cases online, with comparable size & organizational options, retailing from $150-$900The Stanley Fat Max was about $80, a fraction of the cost. I bought mine at Home Depot, Elizabeth bought hers at Lowes. There is also a smaller version for about $40.

The Stanley Fat Max Workstation has two major drawbacks:

Duct Taped Stanley Work StationIt’s not pretty:
It only comes in one color, and it’s not decorative or polished looking. Understandable; I don’t think Stanley’s target market cares about color-coordinating. Elizabeth spruced hers up with fancy duct tape.

It’s hefty, in every sense of the word:
 Large and filled to the brim with supplies, it’s not easy to lift into my car, or haul up stairs. Fortunately, there are handles on the sides if you need some leverage. I’m no Hulk, and Elizabeth is a skinny-minny, but we’ve made it work. Lift from your legs!

Finally, a kit as tough as you are!

-Caitlin

Spotlight Artist – Dutch Bihary

Anime Girl Bodypaint by Dutch Bihary

The month of September brings a new Spotlight Artist, Dutch Bihary! Dutch will be answering a few questions of ours and is in the middle of getting ready for his FABAtv debut with his free LIVE class next week on September 13th, starting at 8:00 pm EST. Dutch Bihary Free LIVE Class on FABAtv

Let’s get to the interview now; Tell us a little about yourself Dutch, where are you from?
I was born and raised and still live in Washington state. From as early as junior high I liked the idea of a career being a teacher. I have always been naturally artistic but found it hard to make a career with my abilities early on. I did have a chance to refine my skills right out of high school from a year I spent illustrating comic books.

Are you an artist full time or do you have another job?
I’m a full time face and body artist and I also do special effects make up for video and films. Currently I’m also the artistic director for a multi-attraction haunt.

What type of face and body art do you specialize in?
I specialize in illustrative cheek and mural style body art with brush and sponge, as well as 3d transformations.

Cogs Bodypainting by Dutch BiharyTiger bodypaint by Dutch BiharyTribal Gecko face painting by Dutch Bihary

How did you get your start in face & body art?
I painted my first face in October of 2005 and started our business the following year. My wife volunteered me to fill in temporarily for a face painter that quit last minute at a local pumpkin patch. I was hooked after the first day.

What’s the most enjoyable part of what you do?
The most enjoyable part of what I do is free creating requests out of my head. No display, just an off the wall idea and a spark of inspiration.

Outside of art, what do you do for fun?
When not working, I enjoy exercising, watching movies, comic books, and cooking. I also enjoy vacation time with my wife and kids, and riding my motorcycle I also love sailing, snowboarding, and camping.

Do you have any pet peeves?
My pet peeves are “oh, I don’t care, just paint anything” followed by “oh, that’s not exactly what I expected”.

Do you attend any conventions, like the FABAIC?
I regularly attend FPBA Vegas as well as living canvas. I’m looking forward to FABAIC in 2013.

Where do you see yourself in a couple years?
I hope to make a long happy career teaching workshops, painting faces and bodies, along with doing make up and special effects for film.

What would you like to do more of, art or otherwise?
I do enjoy and would like to have more involvement with the haunt industry in the future.

What do you think of FABAtv?
FABA tv is a fantastic tool for those who need their instructions reiterated til they get it! Most people don’t understand how to implement new techniques and skill sets until they have practiced them to a point where they are comfortable integrating them into their personal bag of tricks. FABA tv is a way to do this in the comfort of your own home without the stress of performing!

Body Painting Wolfe Brothers by Dutch Bihary

Dragon Body Paint by Dutch BiharyEye Design by Dutch Bihary


Contact Ductch

You can visit his website at www.contoursfx.com, or contact him by email at online@contoursfx.com.

Contours FX on FacebookFind him on FaceBook at facebook.com/likecontoursfx
Contours FX on TwitterTweet to him on Twitter at twitter.com/ContoursFX

Syfy’s Face Off: Season 3 Premiere

Syfy's Face Off

Image Credit: FaceOff

If you haven’t heard of Face Off and are in the Face & Body Art, Makeup, or Special Effects industries, then you don’t know what you’re missing. The season 3 premiere starts tonight, August 21st at 9/8 central on the Syfy network!

Face Off is a competition by elimination TV series that brings the spotlight to the talent behind the special effects makeup industry. Contestants must battle their way through several challenges that incorporate; full body painting, 3-D design, sculpting, prosthetic use, casting and molding, and much more, or risk being sent home by the judges.

Several known face and body artists, such as Nix Herrera, Athena Zhe, and Matt Valentine have been contestants and competed for the grand prize, an opportunity to guest lecture at the Makeup For Ever Academy in New York, a 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid, and $100,000!

Face Off Season 3 Judges

Ve Neill
Three-time Academy Award winner, Ve Neill(Pirates of the Caribbean, Edward Scissorhands)
Glenn Hetrick IMDB Profile
Glenn Hetrick (Heroes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The X-Files)
Patrick Tatopoulos IMDB Profile
Patrick Tatopoulos (Underworld, Independence Day, Resident Evil: Extinction)
[button type=”button_solid_light nocufon” url=”http://www.syfy.com/faceoff/contestants/alana_rose_schiro” target=”on” ]View Season 3 Contestants[/button]

Shark Week Face Painting Ideas

There’s three days left in Shark week and we’ve put together these fan-submitted, shark inspired face paintings for your visual pleasure.

Whether you’re a fan of these magnificent ocean predators or not, these face painting designs are something everyone can enjoy without getting bit.

Hope everyone enjoyed these pieces! If you would like to write or be featured on the Faba Blog, contact us!

Show & Tell: Ultimate Sharing

FABAIC2011-Jam

The thing about sharing is you only think you are giving things away. But in many ways it all comes back to you and more, with people sharing back, and expansion of ideas and acts of kindness. You also feel good….and in some cases become someone’s hero or mentor!

The first year I went to FABAIC, I learned so much in class. And then I would go to lunch or to break or to a jam and I would talk to people. The people attending the convention also had so much to offer. I learned cool new marketing tips, saw new uses for tools, and new paint techniques and ideas. I knew there was a goldmine there if only we could tap it and showcase these people. I pitched the idea of Show & Tell to the FABAIC team and voila, we started something big!

For Show & Tell at FABAIC I request submissions from anyone with a great idea to share in the months leading up to FABAIC. By convention time, my presenters are set. Each year we have some of the best ideas that expand our knowledge, make our face painting life easier, and help us to promote our businesses even better.

Mary EarlOne of the first ideas presented at Show & Tell 2004 were split cakes. It’s a commonplace item in most people’s tool kits these days, but Mary Earl from Toronto, Ontario, Canada was the first to present it that I know of.

First split cakeThe idea of blending colours and double loading of brushes and paint applicators of all kinds has been around since man was painting on cave walls….but this was the first time this was seen within the face painting world, to the best of my knowledge. The response was amazing. Mary got a standing ovation for that idea.
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Now here is where it starts to get interesting. The next year, my dear friend (the late) Pat Newton had an idea to take split cakes and make them narrower, about the width of a one-inch brush. She used empty round paint pots and only put in stripes of paint until the multi-colour blend was one inch wide. Then she added a strip of craft foam along either side of the outside colours, and filled in the outer edges of the round pot with kid’s clay. Later she found oblong pots that were just one inch wide.

See how the idea was taken a step further? Then later still, Rebecca of Arty Brush really started promoting the idea with lots of various colour combos and the whole idea really took off thanks to her diligence in demonstrating and sharing her techniques and painting style.

This is just one example of what happens when we share. In future blogs I will share more of the amazing tips and tricks we’ve seen at FABAIC over the years.

-Katie

Paint-A-Thon Schedule

Paint-A-Thon for Brian Wolfe

Silly Farm Supplies and FABAtv are hosting a Paint-A-Thon fundraiser on July 23rd, 2012 starting at 3:00pm EST for Brian Wolfe. Brian has been an influential part of the face and body art industry and has been diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. Heather wrote an article about Brian Wolfe earlier in the week, please check it out and if you are able, please donate to help Brian’s fight.

Remember to tune in for seven (7) hours of LIVE and FREE face and body art classes!
[button type=”button_solid_light nocufon” url=”http://www.fabatv.com/page/live” target=”on” ]Tune in to the Paint-A-Thon[/button]
Paint-A-Thon Artist Time
Introduction Michael Dardant 3:00pm – 3:15pm
Class 1: Mystical Masks Jay Bautista 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Announcements Michael Dardant 4:15pm – 4:30pm
Class 2: Lace & Plaid Lisa Marshall 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Announcements Michael Dardant 5:30pm – 5:45pm
Class 3: Graphic T-Shirt Design Jeff Simon 5:45pm – 6:45pm
Commercial Break 6:45pm – 7:15pm
Class 4: Simply Creative Margi Kanter 7:15pm – 8:15pm
Announcements Michael Dardant 8:15pm – 8:30pm
Class 5: Gore with Zombie Skin Pam Trent 8:30pm – 9:30pm
Magic Show & Ending Michael Dardant 9:30pm – 10:00pm

Paint-A-Thon for Brian Wolfe

Paint-A-Thon for Brian Wolfe
One of the reasons I love this industry so much is because when we need a helping hand, we come together and help one another. As many of you know by now, Brian Wolfe was diagnosed with a very aggressive Pancreatic Cancer. This news shocked our world and face and body art land went into help mode! So far our generous industry has helped raise over $40,000 for Brian to receive treatment and to help his family, but we won’t stop there…

Nick and Brian Wolfe

Gary Cole of Snazaroo.us has organized a contest to help raise funds for Brian. To find out more information about helping Brian and possibly winning over $3,000 in prizes please contact garycole@mindspring.com

There is also a special page set up on FaceBook at http://www.facebook.com/BrianWolfesFight and GoFundMe at http://www.gofundme.com/brianwolfe where you can contribute directly to the Wolfe Family as well.

Because Brian is a HUGE part of the Family, we are hosting a special Paint-A-Thon in his honor. On July 23, 2012 FABAtv is hosting another Paint-A-Thon where we will join forces with instructors like Margi Kanter, Jay Bautista, Pam Trent, Marcela Murad, Lisa Marshall and more to bring you 6 hours of FREE LIVE face and body art classes. In addition to the free learning, we will be giving away prizes, and celebrating all that Brian Wolfe has given to the Face and body art industry.

Brian Wolfe's FABAtv Channel

Michael DardantWe will begin broadcasting with special host Magic Mike at 3:00pm EST and the fun will begin. Classes will run live until 10:00pm est. Our hope is to raise awareness and money for the Wolfe family to help them bring peace and comfort to Brian Wolfe during this difficult time.

[button type=”button_solid_dark nocufon” url=”http://www.gofundme.com/brianwolfe” target=”on” ]Donate to Brian Wolfe[/button]
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One person, can make a dent… our industry can make a difference. Join us live July 23, at 3:00 pm EST!

[button type=”button_solid_dark nocufon” url=”http://fabatv.com” target=”on” ]Tune in to FABAtv LIVE July 23rd[/button]

The Wolfe Pack

Nick and Brian Wolfe
Twelve years ago I had the pleasure of meeting two of the world’s best artists. My aunt treated me to my first official face painting workshop (not taught by her or a clown friend) in Daytona Florida. I remember driving to Daytona so excited because I was going to learn from Nick and Brian Wolfe. That class not only changed my life, but it was the turning point of when I knew that I would make a career of face and body art. My aunt had always told me that one day I would own Silly Farm Supplies, but it wasn’t until Nick and Brian Wolfe exposed me to a new world that I realized the potential face and body art could create.

I’m sure many of you share my same experience. I credit much of the success, growth, and creativity of the face and body art world to the Kings of the biz, Nick and Brian Wolfe. Over the past decade they have given selflessly of themselves, shared every image, painted every face, explored new boundaries, and never stopped smiling along the way.


Nick and Brian Wolfe MIB BodypaintBrian Wolfe Body Paint with World Brian Wolfe Zombie Body Paint

Wolfe Brothers Special Effects
When I started FABAtv, I called on Nick and Brian and asked for help and support. They immediately jumped in their car and drove to my side. No matter how busy or how stressful life got, they never missed a FABAIC and you could reach them night or day on their cell to call in a favor.

Above and beyond being generous, Nick and Brian are two of the most positive people I know. When it seems like the world is falling down, they stand up and smile and share their light with us. I have witnessed them teach an 8-hour class and still smile, share, and welcome new friends.
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Last week, it broke my heart to hear that Brian Wolfe was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Brian is a father, son, brother, friend, mentor and husband. This news hit me so hard all I could do was cry at my desk. I didn’t know whether to call Brian and Nick, get angry, or just focus on why bad things happen to good people. So, I mustered up enough strength to call Brian and upon hearing his voice a sigh of relief came over me. Brian’s attitude was optimistic, jovial, and he reminded me why no matter the outcome of his treatment, he will never be forgotten.

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Brian is beginning treatment this week and he needs our help. Brian is facing this scary time in his life without insurance to cover the necessary treatments. His family and friends have established a donation fund to help raise funds to support him and his family during this difficult time. We are also planning a Paint-A-Thon on FABAtv where 100% of the proceeds will go to the Brian Wolfe family. The Paint-A-Thon will be held July 23rd from 3pm-10pm EST. If you can afford to, please donate to the Wolfe family, help keep our Wolfe Pack alive and strong with your prayers and your support.

The face and body art industry would not be where it is at without Nick and Brian Wolfe. They transcended the art of face painting from balloons on the cheek to if you can dream it we can paint it. Please share the link, send Brian an email, card, or just keep him and his family in your prayers and thoughts. Prayer works and together we can share the same love and positivity he has given to us over the years.
-Heather


Monster BrosNick & Brian WolfeNick & Brian Wolfe Body Painting

Mortal Kombat Body Painting by Wolfe BrothersWolfe Pack


Check out Nick or Brian on facebook.
Contact Nick or Brian Wolfe or browse their works via their website, EvilTwinFX.com

Picture This

Silly Heather GreenI am fortunate to have gigs coming in from all angles. I work with several agents in the south Florida area and they bring me great work. The only downside to it, is that every agency requires a little something different. One agency emails me a gig sheet with directions and more event info than i’ll ever need. While other agencies send me on blind parties and I hold my breathe until the event ends.

About 5 years ago, an agent booked me and it seemed business as usual. Two days prior to the party, I came down with strep throat. Up to that point I had never missed a gig. I pride myself on doing a great job and never letting anyone down, so knowing I had to give my job away was difficult. I called my BFF to cover for me. I called the agency and spoke the the assistant planner and she made the switch. The day of the event I get a call from the birthday mom livid with me. She was upset because the agency had sent her my picture with her contract and she wanted to know why I didn’t show up and why they sent a replacement without notifying her.

I did my best to keep cool and not be reactive, but I didn’t know what shocked me more; The fact the lady had my picture, or the fact that she called to scream at me about it. Long story short, I calmed the lady down, explained my strep throat and told her I would find out from the agency why she wasn’t notified.

The next day I called the agent and told them the story. They told me that they email every client the picture of the entertainer coming to their event so there are no surprises. The owner of the agency told me that because she was sending performers into the homes of high end clients, she wanted the customer to feel safe prior to the event. Her idea made sense to me, surely I’d be more relaxed if I knew that the painter I hired for my kids birthday party wouldn’t show up covered in tattoos and piercings.

The downside to sending a picture in advance is that pictures speak a thousand words. If you send a picture ahead of time and the clients doesn’t like your look it can cost you the job. It is still very common to judge a book by its cover. So if you send a picture of yourself, they will base your talent on your appearance. And you have to be willing to defend your look. The other problem with sending a picture is that you can not change artists at the last minute because the party parents know what you look like. The mom that screamed at me, felt I was trying to scam her. I explained that my BFF was amazing and just as good, and luckily the woman agreed to let her stay. In the end it worked out and it opened my mind.

Sending a picture ahead of time is good customer service. If you have a website with your profile picture or about us page, send the link to your customers. It will allow them to put a face with a name and set their minds at ease. Playing guess who and what will show up at the door is not a fun game. Preparing my customers means happy customers, and I’m all about that.

If you are being booked from an advert or referral and the client has never seen you, giving them a glimpse of what they will get is not only helpful, it can mean building a loyal customer.

If you are going to send a picture, make sure it is event appropriate and that it conveys a professional, accurate portrayal of you. Planning makes perfect and picture perfect can be your way to get noticed!

Happy painting! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! :)

Heather is the CEO of Silly Farm Supplies, a face and body art supplies company located in Davie, Florida.

Eating on the Job

I work for several different booking agencies. Many of them have it stated in my contract that eating on the job is strictly prohibited, but its sooo hard to ignore the smell of fresh popcorn, sweet cotton candy, grilled hamburgers and all the yummy sweets parties are known for serving.

Face Painting and Eating

It wasn’t until I was photographed at a party with a mouth full of cookie that I decided to put a nix on eating on the job.

  • It was not hygienic to eat near my paints
  • It was rude to be eating will I am being paid to do a job
  • If I wanted to maintain a professional persona then I needed to be prepared on the job which includes eating before a job or arranging a break time to eat outside my painting vicinity.

I get hired to do long events where I might be standing on my feet for over 6 hours. Bending and lifting kids can not only work up a hunger, but food is a must when you are working at such an intense pace. Whenever I have an event booked for longer than 4 hours I always require a 15 minute break and I pack a light lunch that I can eat during my break. I learned this method the hard way, but to this day my method helps me avoid hunger headaches and ensures I am able to do my best job possible.

Because of my Latin roots and the majority of the parties I attend are hosted by latin people, they are always offering me plates of food and sometimes alcohol. Latin people are notorious for demanding that you eat their food and enjoy it. I explain to the host that I do not eat during my jobs, but they can always pack a plate to go. Most of the time I do not want the food they are offering anyways, but letting them know I will take a plate to go kills 2 birds with one stone so that I don’t offend anyone or have to stop painting to eat.

I also do a lot of events that have lavish catered food and I make sure never to assume I am allowed to eat the food until the event planner invites me. Nothing is ruder than standing in line in  front of invited guests and serving yourself a plate of food. I look at myself and a hired guest, and I would not appreciate someone eating from my party without an invitation to do so.

If you are a hiring agent, I suggest writing some general rules to avoid your performers potentially embarrassing you. Make sure to state that there is no eating on the job and that alcohol on the job is strictly prohibited. If the client requests that you eat, you must wait until your contracted time is over or request a plate to go.

By laying down rules you can avoid losing a gig and setting a standard for professional behavior. Sometimes stating the obvious can mean the difference between a headache and a tip. Communicate everything assume nothing. Words to live by.

Happy Painting!

-Heather
Heather is the CEO of Silly Farm Supplies, a retailer of face and body art supplies.

Free Body Painting Class with Athena Zhe – FABAtv

Free Body Painting Class with Athena Zhe

Vegas Theme Bodypaint by Athena ZheJoin Face Off contestant Athena Zhe on June 14th, 2012 on FABAtv LIVE for her free, live class on how to create body painting designs. This class will show you where to begin in your body painting career, how to design a body painting piece suitable for any occasion, give you insight on being prepared to meet your client’s needs, and how to work with different body types.
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flag bodypainting by Athena Zhe

Athena Zhe free body painting class

[button type=”button_solid_light nocufon” url=”https://fabatv.com/page/live”]Watch on FABAtv LIVE![/button]
[button type=”button_solid_light nocufon” url=”http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?p1=820&iso=20120614T20&msg=FABAtv%20LIVE%20with%20Athena%20Zhe%20-%20FREE%20Body%20Painting%20Class&sort=1″ target=”on” ]Find out the show time in your timezone![/button]

From Average to Amazing

After enjoying an amazing week together with so many wonderful artists I came to the realization that what all of us really want is to be the best that we can be. The question then becomes, “How do we go from ordinary to extraordinary?

FABAIC - Lynne Jamieson

Like many of you, I too felt a tad intimidated by the level of the artwork being produced at the face and body art international convention, in books, trade magazines and just about everywhere I look. I almost didn’t want to take out my paints at the jams, but then I knew that every step I take to improve is a step forward and that is all that is required to achieve success. For example, if we want to paint in the style and the level of our favorite artist, it is not enough to admire their artwork. You must do something! Take a class, search for online tutorials, study what it is they do and discern why their art pulls on our heart strings.

Don’t worry about the long term goal, the joy is in the journey. To go from an average painter to an amazing artist, all we need is small steps taken one day at a time, lots of practice, and a belief that you can achieve any dream you have!

-Marcela Murad

FABAIC 2012 Recap

We just wrapped up the 11th annual Face and Body Art International Convention. The FABAIC hosts over 500 of the world’s most talented and artistically charged painters. Every year we come together, paint, learn about new products, attend classes, and catch up with old friends and many times make new friends!

FABAIC 2012

This year was a challenge. After hosting the last 10 years of the FABAIC in Orlando, we made a bold decision to move the venue closer to our home. We bit our nails for a full year hoping that the move wouldn’t hurt the FABAIC or worse, that the hotel wouldn’t accept us for who we are.

As the FABAIC festivities came to an end, I literally found myself in a daze. I didn’t know whether to smile and jump for joy because we successfully conquered another year, or cry because I was so amazed at the overall event. It takes us a full year to plan everything about the FABAIC, from vendors, to pipe and drape, to the menu, and an airport shuttle. We scream, fight, and sometimes leave work hating each other because the stress can be overwhelming, but after this FABAIC, I cried tears of pure joy.

FABAIC 2012 - Lizard GirlNix Herrera - FABAIC 2012

This year was my personal favorite. There was a happiness in the air, a relaxed vibe that placed a trance on the event. I watched over 400 artists paint with delight, share without hesitation, focus on teamwork, and enthusiastically learn from one another. Most everyone left their ego at the door and embraced the artistic climate of the event.

My overall highlight of the FABAIC was the Bollywood Flash Mob. Secretly we arranged a flash mob including instructors, kids, and vendors. Nothing made my smile bigger than seeing the children dance to the music, the watch Jinny join in, followed by the Wolfe Brothers and Magic Mike doing the Jai Ho. It was priceless and reminded me why the face and body art family is something truly unique.

I have to admit that my opinion is slightly biased. As the producer of the convention, I naturally felt that we did a super job. As a consumer, an eager artist, and an entrepreneur, I still felt we hit the nail on the head with the lineup of classes, the overall selection of brands and products represented, the events that took place, and the value I received by attending. When we plan the FABAIC we start by asking ourselves questions from every angle. We ask each other questions about schedules, and learning, we search the internet for hot products and sought after artists, we channel our inner child and build a Young Artists program that will groom our future painters. We leave no stone unturned, and cross every T. This is our life and our love drives the FABAIC to new heights every year.

FABAIC 2012 - Jay Bautista
FABAIC 2012 - Sean AvramFABAIC 2012 - DonnaFABAIC 2012 - Mehron

On Sunday, we hosted the Annual Body Painting competition. It was remarkable. The artwork was too amazing to believe that these artists finished a full award worthy living canvas in under 6 hours. I declined the invitation to judge the competition because the talent was too much to handle. As I walked around the room, I was so happy to see how far our industry has come. The artwork and talent soars to new heights every year and I am grateful we can play a part in making that happen.

The FABAIC can only be described as sleep away art camp. Artists come together to party, paint, and enjoy an environment of learning. Artists use the FABAIC as a retreat, they invest in themselves and their businesses with the mindset that they will leave a better, more experienced artist and they are right!

FABAIC 2012 - KidsFABAIC 2012 - JoselynFABAIC 2012

I could go on and on forever about the convention, but instead I will dedicate my next few blogs to certain sections of the FABAIC and encourage your feedback. I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for your support with Silly Farm, FABAtv, FABAIC, FABAblog, and FAB Events.
Happy Painting!

To view all the amazing photos from the 2012 FABAIC please visit the FABAIC facebook page or website.

One Big Family

Silly Farm Supplies, FABAtv, FABAIC, My FAB Events
As many of you know by now, Silly Farm Supplies, FABAtv, the FABAIC, and My FAB Events are the culmination of a family owned business that keeps expanding. The running joke in our office is that “everyone is heather’s best friend, and she calls everyone her family”. This is a true statement.

Maybe it’s the Pisces in me or maybe because I am a part of a loving industry, but my friends become my family and I take pleasure in how large my family has become.

Heather Green - Kelly Virgona The beautiful Kelly Virgona from Australia is in town for the 11th annual FABAIC. She is staying with me and this morning she said “Can you believe this Is my 6th year here at the FABAIC”. I was blown away at how fast time flies and how Kelly is no longer a customer, no longer a friend, now she is my fairy god sister! The same goes for Annie Reynolds, Lynne Jamieson, Kay B, Mark Reid and the entire FAB family.

Over the years we have witnessed each other grow as artists, master new techniques, question our ability to make it as a struggling artist, and lift each other up when we need it the most. For me, that defines what a family is. The face and body art family is made up of a group of people that share a love of art and when we get together and jam, creatively collect our ideas, paint and produce works of art, we become closer.

Marcela Face PaintingLia and Taija

People often ask me, “How is it working with family?”. Together with my mother (the CFO), Marcela (CCO), my little sister (OM), best friend (Director of FABAtv), and the rest of my extended family, we operate 4 businesses together. Not only is it stressful, it is the most rewarding career one could ask for. I get to work closely with the people that understand my passion and enable me to do a great job. The same can be said for my extended family of farmers, Silly Farmers.

Silly Farmers

My rule of thumb in business is to make your customers your friends, so that it is always a pleasure doing business with a friend. My friends become my family and my family continues to bloom. If you are attending the FABAIC, I encourage you to make a friend, introduce yourself, make a connection and grow your own little face painting family.

The Brat Pack

Spotlight Artist – Andrea O’Donnell

Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from?

Andrea O'Donnell - Makeup Artist, Face & Body Artist
I am a Michigander through and through. I was born here, grew up here, and I now raise my two children here. I love my home state so much, the four seasons, the trees, the hills, the gorgeous great lakes. Michigan is a beautiful state, and I am lucky enough to have a home in Howell where I live and work, and also a cottage in the deep northern woods, where I have appreciated and absorbed Mother Nature’s works of art since I was just a year old. Of all the places I have traveled (and that’s a lot), Northern Michigan is still my favorite place in the world.
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Are you an artist full time or do you have another job?

I am a full time artist (too full sometimes) and I run a very busy studio in Howell, Michigan, which is centrally located between four of Michigan’s largest cities; Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing and Flint. It’s a small town, but a great location, and it keeps my staff and I very busy providing makeup and cosmetic services, event services, photography and so much more. It’s also a retail store for makeup, special fx and face & body art supplies, mainly geared toward the professional market, but open to the public as well.

Andrea O'Donnell Studio BackAndrea O'Donnell Studio Front

What type of face and body art do you specialize in?

I have been a professional makeup artist for 23 years, the first 15 years were spent primarily on bridal and special event makeup in the salon/spa environment. For the past 8 years I have gravitated more toward creative editorial, high fashion and couture makeup for commercial makeup shoots and runway events, and face painting for kids parties. Now I would estimate that 80% of what I do consists of body painting both in and outside of my studio, which makes me very happy!

Marilyn Monroe Look by Andrea O'DonnellCircus Body - Andrea O'Donnell at FABAICTea Cup Body Painting by Andrea O'Donnell

How did you get your start?

I got my start in face & body art after nearly quitting makeup altogether from sheer boredom! After what seemed like a lifetime of brides and prom girls, I was dying to inject more creativity into my work. So I actually stepped away from makeup for a short period, and opened an art store where I taught painting classes and sold art supplies. At some point during that time period, I found myself in Disney World with my kids, mesmerized at the face painting that was being applied to my daughter. I took photos and mental notes, and when I got home I tried my hand at face painting – using all the wrong products of course. Nevertheless, myself and two of my friends set up a face painting table in front of my art store during a Harry Potter festival in my town and made over $1000 charging only $3 per face in about 3-4 hours! The line was wrapped around the block! When the night was over we all looked at each other in shock! The offers started pouring in from parents, schools, and local businesses who saw our work that night, and I started thinking; What the heck was I doing running this art store and barely squeaking by with the bills month after month? I should be painting faces for a living! So when the store closed down the following year in 2005, I went back to what I did best, Makeup, but this time I had a whole new attitude. I did my research and found out what products I should be using, and immediately set out to create a whole new and much more colorful makeup portfolio! A couple years later I became one of the most sought after makeup artists in Michigan and right about that time is when I upgraded my title permanently to Makeup Artist, Face & Body Painter.

What’s the most enjoyable part of what you do?

The most enjoyable part of what I do? Oh there is SO much I love about my job, but I would probably have to say my favorite is the travel. This job has provided me and my family with so much opportunity to see the world. It’s not easy to get to that point. I’m not saying that every face and body painter is going to start flying all over the place. There are a lot of artists who don’t ever leave their immediate area, and that is perfectly fine for them. I suffer from a thing called wanderlust. I have to constantly feed my mind with new experiences and for me that means traveling to new places. So I have specifically “trained” my career in such a way that I am able to do what I love in many places, whether it’s teaching workshops in other states, providing services for films and conventions, selling my product (Bad Ass Stencils) at various trade shows around the globe, or whatever else takes me away. I just love to be on the move, almost as much as I love coming back home.

Andrea O'Donnell Bird DesignStencils on BackAndrea O'Donnell Painting Marilyn Design

What would you like to do more of, art or otherwise?

I would love to be able to find more time to take tons of classes in all the other areas and topics that I am interested in, such as art, photography, glass blowing, jewelry design, major special fx makeup courses and more. I also want to learn as many foreign languages as I can, including sign language, so I can travel around the world and explore historical landmarks, castles, villages, and ruins and know how to communicate freely with everyone I come in contact with! Wouldn’t that be awesome?

Outside of art, what do you do for fun?

Outside of my fun job and traveling, fun for me always involves my family. We have a nice big family and many good friends, and we are all very close. We enjoy riding motorcycles and ATV’s in our woods up north, kayaking, paintball, hiking, playing with our dogs, and pretty much anything else as long as we are together.

Do you have any pet peeves?

Pet peeves? Arrogant photographers with over blown egos and underwhelming portfolios, flaky “models” who should really not be modeling, parents who try to force crying kids to get face painted and/or want to choose their design for them, and would-be clients who don’t realize and/or appreciate the value of what we do after wasting our time asking questions and getting quotes, and then hiring someone cheap, especially for high quality body painting. I’m not the same thing as Joe Schmoe with a paint brush that they saw at a Harley Fest last summer… not even close. I think that last one is everyone’s pet peeve.

Where do you see yourself in a couple years?

A couple years from now, I would like to see myself having more time to relax in between jobs. Right now I am a little overwhelmed between the studio work, teaching classes, event jobs, trade shows, and now the Hunger Games Convention Tour, but I’m not complaining… just looking forward to a time when it balances out a bit more for me, hopefully sooner than later. My dream would be to do a few big magazine photo shoot jobs on a tropical island two or three times a year, some fun local jobs in between, and just party and travel the rest of the year!

Do you have any projects going on or in the works?

My current major project is SKINCOGNITO and all that revolves around it. In addition to that, I am super busy designing a load of new Bad Ass Stencils in time for the Face and Body Art International Convention, designing my body paint competition piece, and preparing for the World Body Painting Festival in Austria this July. I am also the exclusive makeup artist for the new Official Hunger Games Tour, which I know will keep me movin’ for the next couple years.

Join us at the 2012 FABAIC

Will you be attending the 2012 Face and Body Art International Convention?

I am SO looking forward to seeing all of my favorite friends and artists at the 2012 FABAIC! I hope everyone comes by to see me at the Bad Ass Stencil booth as well as at the jams. It is such a fun and inspirational event, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Contact Andrea:
Skincognito Studio
120 State Street
Howell, MI 48843, USA
Phone: (517) 376.6488
Email: SkincognitoStudio@yahoo.com
Website: www.SkincognitoStudio.com
Skincognito’s Facebook Page

www.BadAssStencils.com
Bad Ass Stencils on Facebook

Andrea O’Donnell Artist Facebook Page

Check out Andrea O’Donnell on FABAtv!

How Do You Get That Gig?

Tom Cruise & Children Face PaintedWhen I browse the pages of celebrity tabloids occasionally I run across face painting on famous children. I am always amazed how there is rarely ever a picture of the artist, as I’m also curious to know who the lucky painter was. I have been fortunate enough to paint for several celebrities and it certainly has helped me get more business, but when I tell people that I have painted for Lebron James and Dan Marino, they always ask, “How did you get that gig?”.

When investing your money, an advisor will tell you it’s all about diversification. The same principles apply to business and getting bigger gigs. Typically, very wealthy clients or celebrity clients do not plan their own parties. They have assistants that hire event planners. So, when you are marketing your business, it’s equally important to seek out exclusive event planners and do some networking. High end event planners want to know you are professional, respect the privacy of the client, and use etiquette when working high end events.

How do I let the event planners know I’m a good candidate and how do I meet high end event planners?

One of the best ways to meet event planners is by attending or searching event planning networking events. ISES,the International Special Events Society, hosts several events across the US and the organization is made up of party planners, advertising companies, and event planners. Searching their events and offering your services to their meeting planners is a good way to exhibit your skills and make excellent contacts. Biz Bash is another special events show that happens around the country and they cater to larger budget event planners as well. Five years ago I volunteered to body paint at the special events show. I was able to network with several event planners that now use us religiously for special events, concerts, sporting events, and jobs I would have never had access to. I was able to show that I was professional, courteous, and explained to each planner the benefits of working together. Most planners want one less headache to deal with, and if you can be a no hassle addition to their services they are happy!

Face Painting with the NFLAnother way to diversify, is to reach out to the cities. If you are incorporated and carry insurance you can register with your local city to be able to bid for city jobs. I registered with the City of Miami as a business that offers event planning, face painting, balloons, and decor. Part of the process of hiring for city events, includes going through the procurement process. Procurement involves sending out a bid for the event and the city is required to accept a certain amount of proposals. If you submit a proposal and get the contract you are officially in with the city, and lots of business can be produced from it. City contracts are usually for multiple events, which also works in your favor.

Check out your local government or city website and find out how to become Small Business certified and see how you can get in on the procurement action.

My last advice tip to get the aww inspiring gigs is to contact larger and local event planning companies. Typically, they get hired to do large scale events because they can be full service companies. They also carry large amounts of insurance so they are an easy hire for bigger events. I frequently work with All Star Events located in South Florida. They are a full service event planning company that has done events for the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, Florida Panthers, Julio Iglesias, many of the Heat and Dolphin players and several other high profile clients. They love working with me because they know I won’t take pictures or embarrass them, so when they book a package they like to include my services. Chances are those clients would never go looking for just a face painter. They have so many other factors to consider, they look for a company that can do it all. Getting in good with the “Do it all” companies is a great way to create steady work.

Keegan Hitchcock for DASH

I’m all about promoting my fellow painters, I get so excited to see them grow and accomplish great things. The Dash body painting was done by my great friend Keegan Hitchcock. When I asked her about it she was so non-chalant and didn’t even seem nervous. Below are a few more images of Keegan’s work. You can find her on facebook at KeeganBodyArt.

Belvedere Body Art by KeeganJameson Body Painting by Keegan

A similar experience happened with another great artist, friend of mine, and FABAtv instructor Heather Aguilera. She got a call on her way home from shooting her FABAtv classes, and was asked to paint the famous sculptor and pop artist, Romero Britto.

Share your stories with us on how you got the gig, and if you have any pictures you can share, please do!

Happy Painting!

Heather

Painting Inspiration

Face Painted Inspirational Masks

One of the most wonderful things I discovered as an artist was to make myself aware of my surroundings, as inspiration is always there waiting to be discovered. All we have to do is open our eyes and see. The following are some suggestions based on the things I’ve learned to do, to welcome inspiration to flow in my daily life.

LIVE WITH IT

I believe that creative inspiration and abilities can be absorbed by osmosis, and living with it can make us more creative. Surround yourself with as much art as you can afford.

CREATE AN INSPIRING WORK PLACE

Even if you live in a small apartment with five cats, carve out a corner for your art supplies. I keep a palette, brushes, sponges, water container, a few books, magazines, pictures, a small VCR/DVD player, DVD’s, a practice pad and watercolor tablet in a small table next to my favorite chair. I relax by practicing my strokes and by creating new, original designs. As time goes by, it has become a habit that aids me in improving my skills.

A COOKBOOK OF INSPIRATION

Another tool that has helped me a lot is my collection of scrapbooks. Their pages filled with colorful images from magazines, catalogs, advertisements, my own doodles and other painters’ work are a feast of images and ideas. Most creative people thrive on a steady diet of stimuli. Keep your cookbook of inspiration close at hand and cook up amazing new design ideas.


Marcela’s Tips & Tricks

TREAT YOURSELF TO AN INSPIRING DAY

Give yourself an inspiring break. Start by marking the date in your calendar and making the commitment to just do it. Take a full day, a half day or even a couple of hours to search for inspiration. Plan a trip for the artist in you to a museum, a gallery, art store, bookstore or an artsy part of town. You don’t have to buy anything, just observe and take notes. I can guarantee that by the time you get home, you will be looking forward to sitting in your artist workspace to allow the collected inspiration to flow out of you like a waterfall.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Body Painting at FABAIC 2010 Don’t be afraid to color outside the lines. Picasso didn’t get famous by painting realistic portraits and Dali made us look at faces in a brand new way. Dare to change the rules of what you have been taught and see what happens. Buy yourself a new brush, maybe one of an unusual shape and discover what you can do with it on your own. Find ways to combine colors that in your mind don’t match. Fire your critics (especially your inner one) and know that our growth is in trying new things.
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Face Painting Book of ButterfliesWhen I was working on the Face Painting Book of Butterflies, there came a point where I felt that all of the designs were looking very much alike. The next morning while I was sitting by the ocean, I decided to give Jinny a call to ask her for advice. She said to me, “Face painting is fantasy art–anything goes. Think outside the box. Morph your butterflies with another animal or anything that comes to mind. See what happens.” First I didn’t understand exactly what she meant so I decided to close my eyes to meditate on it for a few minutes. When I opened my eyes I saw the most beautiful sunrise and immediately I picked up my drawing pencils and created the sunrise butterfly, which is in the book. The top wings are the colors of the sky at sunrise with a few seagulls decorating it. The bottom wings have the ocean and the beach with a couple palm trees painted in each corner. The sun is the body of the butterfly. It is one of my favorite ones in the book.[clear]

TAKE ART CLASSES

Art classes are inspirational. They help your face and body painting skills to emerge. From one-stroke painting, to ceramics or watercolors, art is art. Inspiration abides in experimenting with all types of art forms.
You can usually find your favorite artists traveling and teaching. Attend one of their classes, or go to a convention to really boost your skills. With the internet ever expanding, it has become easier then ever to find and take a workshop, even taking online classes like FABAtv.com.

FABAIC 2012 - Face Painting, Body Painting, Airbrush Art

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

Feeling good is also a form of inspiration. Our physical condition and frame of mind are essential raw materials because the source of creativity lives deep within our souls. Taking care to be healthy in body, mind and spirit makes us more receptive to the gifts of inspiration that surround us. Make a list of things you can do that will help you snap out of a low day. Take a candle lit bath, listen to your favorite music, eat fruits and chocolate, go for a walk, read a good book, hug somebody or make a list of all the things in your life that you are grateful for. Say Thank YOU! Then enjoy your artistic work place as you relax and paint!

-Marcela Murad
Co-Producer of the Face and Body Art International Convention

Leave a comment below and tell us what you do to get inspired.

Jay Bautista – Spotlight Artist

Each month the Faba Blog will post a spotlight article on a particular artist that excels in their profession. Our spotlight artist for the month of April 2012 is Jay Bautista.

Jay Bautista

Jay Bautista is a professional face and body artist known for his amazing line work and tribal designs. He is originally from New York and has lived in Florida for most of his adult life. Jay has been face and body painting for over 12 years and first got his start in the industry at Enjoy Your Face Inc., painting at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Since then, he has catered to high end celebrity parties, rock concerts, major sports teams, corporate events and college sports teams. Mardi Gras and Fantasy Fest are now a staple of major events that Jay attends.

Jay Bautista - Mardi GrasJay Bautista - Sun and MoonJay Bautista's Super Girl

We spoke to Jay about his upcoming projects and what he wants to explore more into. Jay wants to add more depth into his artwork and is focusing on that, as well as a new series of designs only seen by Illusion Magazine.

In his own words;

“I’m working on a lot of projects as of right now. I just finished shooting some step by step designs Illusion Magazine asked me to do. I just opened up a new YouTube Channel under methodmediavideos doing some quick designs, so if you check it out you can see me in my house clothes :-). I’m also going on a mini tour up north to NJ,CT,NY in June. Hitting up Trinidad & Tobago in July and finishing off the month in Texas. I’m also talking to Pashur about possibly doing a Tribal / Line work tour in the U.S. We did a dry run at the East Coast Convention in Connecticut and it was a HUGE success, there are already requesting us to do another workshop at that convention.

I’m also working on releasing an app within the next few months, featuring my artwork. Method Media Services LLC is the production company working on this project with me. Any artist looking to do productions should reach out to them.

I just did a live feed for a local radio station, WJRR 101.1, for an upcoming event called EarthDay BirthDay. It’s my biggest one day event of the year. I employ 10 face and body artists to paint the patrons throughout the concert. There are over 20,000 people that attend this event and this will be my 11th year painting there. When I started doing that event it was me and one other painter, so it’s grown. We will probably paint over 300 bodies that day between 10 artists, usually its just chest pieces that we do there, but sometimes someone wants a front and back, but that’s rare. Needless to say, we paint very fast.

My website is still under construction but its www.jaybautista.com. It’s a blog based site so I will be active on it, once I can find the time to sit for a few hours un-distracted. You can always add me as a friend on facebook and I created a fan page as well that will have newer content; thats www.facebook.com/JayBautistaFaceAndBodyArtist.

The best way to contact me is by email, jbautista0505@gmail.com.”

Jay Bautista has filmed several classes and tutorials for FABAtv. Check out Jay’s Channel on FABAtv and stay tuned for his latest class, Totally Tribals, premiering on April 15th! Can’t wait? Check out his free butterfly tutorial on the FABAtv youtube channel.

 

2012 FABAIC Checklist and a Free Year of FABAtv!

The 2012 Face and Body Art International Convention is less then 2 months away, do you know what to bring? FABAtv has teamed up with the FABAIC to offer a free, year subscription to FABAtv!

Win a free year subscription to FABAtv!

FABAIC Class InstructorsThe FABAIC is a convention like no other, offering the best instructors for all types of face and body art. Whether you are a beginner wondering where to start, or are advanced and looking to learn new techniques and bring more business to your trade, the FABAIC has what you need. Offering tons of classes covering face painting, body painting, airbrush, makeup, special effects, marketing and more over the course of five days, the FABAIC is an event you don’t want to miss!

FABAIC Competition InformationExciting changes have been made to the 2012 competitions! Cash prizes, products and trophies are up for grabs! Face Painting Competitions are back and divided into Children, Youth, Novice, Semi Pro, and Professional Categories!
Will you walk away with the $1,000 Cash Prize for the “Flight of Fantasy” body painting competition? Competition is open to registered FABAIC attendees. Click here for Competition Information.

The 2012 FABAIC is May 23rd through May 27th and has moved to a new location in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Want to take a break from all the creativity and learning? Relax on the gorgeous South Florida beaches, take a trip through the famous Everglades, hit up a game of golf at the hotels luxurious course, or take a shopping trip at the Sawgrass Mills mall, the second largest mall in Florida! The FABAIC is not only learning and classes, it is a well deserved vacation!

Operate your own business? Did you know your expenses associated with attending the Face and Body Art International Convention to improve your professional skills are tax deductible subject to the limitations set forth by the Internal Revenue Service? Please contact your accountant for details.

Newcomers Convention Checklist

  • Washcloths – To avoid room charges from staining their towels when showering up after a body paint, please bring your own washcloth!
  • Business Cards and your Portfolio – The FABAIC is the best place to network
  • A condensed version of your face or body painting kit
  • A sketch book and/or note pad
  • Practice head (Practice Heads will be available to purchase or rent, please contact marcela@fabaic.com for more information)
  • Male or Female underwear for your model if you are body painting. Seamless panties work the best.
  • Camera and don’t forget the charger!
  • Phone
  • Comfortable shoes and clothes
  • Baby wipes
  • Sunscreen
  • Bathing suit
  • Earplugs
  • Don’t forget spending money or your credit card! The FABAIC is not only a learning experience, it is a vacation!
  • A smile, your creative thinking cap and a well rested mind to learn and have fun! We’ll see you May 23rd!

Do you have any questions? Please contact us! E-mail Marcela at marcela@fabaic.com or call us at 954-472-5000 if you have any questions.

FABAIC FAQ

Are you in need of a roommate to cut down expenses? Visit the FABAIC forum on Facebook for a list of vendors, roommate searching, travel information and more!
Don’t forget to like the FABAIC Facebook Page!

Leave a comment below and tell us what your essentials are that you bring to a convention!

Register for the FABAIC

FABAIC What?

My aunt Marcela “Mama Clown” Murad has always been a visionary. Eleven years ago she turned her dream of creating an educational event dedicated strictly to face and body art into a reality, along with her friend Cynthia Keeler. Together they pioneered the Face and Body Art International Convention, what would soon become the greatest gathering of face and body artists in the world.

Face and Body Art International Convention

In 2007, I took over as co-producer of the FABAIC, along with Deidre MacDonald, Marcela Murad, and Claudia Banks. Together and with the rest of our amazing team, we work hard to make the FABAIC an event not to be missed.

The FABAIC is a sleep away art camp for adults. A place where creativity flows from every corner and color has no limit. The art work is jaw dropping and the classes cover all topics and skill sets. We search the globe looking for the best instructors to share their passion with other eager artists. We spend a full year planning the FABAIC to include; interesting topics, new concepts, new vendors, unveiling of new products, and a convention that is one of a kind. We put an emphasis on creating a learning environment that inspires you, sparks your creativity, and makes it impossible not to learn something.

In 2011, we celebrated our 10 year anniversary of the FABAIC. After 10 years of hosting the FABAIC in Orlando, FL we made a BIG change and moved the convention to our home town of Ft Lauderdale, FL. We wanted to enter the new decade on a fresh note and re-energize our venue. Ambiance is as critical as the content our instructors are providing. Our new hotel is full of lush tropical gardens, crystal blue waterfalls, and bright sun light classrooms. We felt the new venue is a perfect environment to go wild with your art work.

A FABAIC Classroom Tikki Hut Sun Roof!New FABAIC Hotel Pool EntranceFABAIC Hotel Waterfall Pool

The FABAIC is a convention where face and body artists come to learn. We offer the widest selection of classes, covering all topics from A-Z. Whether you are a seasoned artist, a creative make up artist looking to expand into special effects and fantasy make up, a stay at home mom that loves art, or a teacher looking for a great part time job, this event is for you. You might be asking yourself, “Do they really paint all day?” and “Will I really learn?” the answer is yes! Every year I treat my staff to the FABAIC, and after just one convention I could see the difference in their painting and artwork. The FABAIC will take you out of your box, help you expand your skills, and the creative force will inspire you to pick up your brush and explore. You don’t have to take my word for it, you can check out the FABAIC Gallery, find the FABAIC on Facebook, or just read reviews around the web. If you are serious about becoming a better painter, investing in your craft, and taking your art to the next level, then you can not afford to miss the 2012 Face and Body Art International Convention.

Besides offering over 80 classes over four days, we also offer classes for Young Artists. I was fortunate that Marcela shared the face and body art world with me really early. I developed a passion for it and it never left my side. I was able to face paint my way through college, buy my first condo with my face painting money, and turn it into a career. Your kids can enjoy classes designed especially for them, where they learn with other children their age so you can enjoy your classes knowing your kids are learning and having a blast too.

Fun and Games at the FABAICKids love Face Paint!

The FABAIC is also the worlds largest face and body art marketplace. We host all the major manufacturers of face and body art supplies so that they can debut their newest products, answer questions, and let you try before you buy your supplies. The market place is a painters candy store, the hardest part is not buying everything.

Four years ago we started the FABAIC Body Painting Competition where the first place prize is $1,000 cash. Artists from around the world come to compete and the finished product is truly unbelievable. It takes some artists years to complete one canvas, and our artists finish a human masterpiece in 5 hours. The competition is truly living art at its finest.

Nix-Herrera-ButterflyWolfe Bros- Face Painting

Even with classes, competition, shopping, and networking there’s still more! Every morning we kick of the day with a little fun and funk with a Zumba class. From 9-5 we have classes and workshops and then you can enjoy show and tell demonstrations from your peers, marketing panel discussions, and the world famous Jam sessions. The jams are painting parties where all the attendees break out their paints and practice everything they learned throughout the day. Imagine a room with 500 people painting and creating. It’s priceless and you can’t help but be amazed.

FABAIC2011-Jam

If you are still on the fence or want more information, please visit the FABAIC website or email us, Heather: heather@sillyfarm.com, Marcela: marcela@fabaic.com, or Deidre: deidre@fabaic.com. I encourage you to join us. let us help you re-energize your business, add value to your services, and grow as an artist. Let the FABAIC be your vacation this year and take a creative siesta- You deserve it! I hope to see you all in May!

Happy painting!
-Heather

[button type=”ambitious_button_clean” url=”http://www.fabaic.com/” target=”on” ]Take me to the FABAIC Website[/button]

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Live Your Passion

Wolfe Face Paint

A passion is a craving, the thing we hunger for. It’s what we are most curious about. Our passion is what we long to do, something that makes us truly happy and enriches our lives. Being passionate about something inspires us to take action, to put energy into our dreams and to make them come true. If you are passionate about something, ask yourself,

“What do I need to do to live my passion, to keep it alive?”

If your passion is the same as mine, Face and Body Art, some of my tips will help you.
Buy yourself a scrapbook and start collecting images of anything that catches your eye. These can be pictures from a magazine, other artists work, or your own drawings and doodles. You can also keep a folder in your computer, or use an online service like Pinterest, for the same purpose. Personally, I like the feeling of holding the book and slowly looking through it’s pages. On days when my creativity is running low, they serve as inspiration and they rekindle my passion for my art.

FABAIC 2009
FABAIC 09 Winner Alex Hansen

“How do you get started?”

Make a list of things you dream of doing and pursue it. Take a workshop with your
favorite artist, publish a book, travel and get paid for sharing
your talents with others! Read your list everyday, believing that all things
are possible. Then commit to practice, because practice will help you to become better at
what you do and more passionate about it! The old saying still holds true, “Practice makes perfect”!

-Marcela Murad

FABAIC PhotosFABAIC Photos Athena Zhe

Leave a comment below and tell us what your passion is!
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The Business of Body Painting

It took Davinci 4 years to complete the Mona Lisa, which is about 30 inches by 15 inches. An average body painting, which is more than double in size of the Mona Lisa, usually takes 3-5 hours. Body Painting is still relatively new in the US, and knowing what to charge is still a very grey area for most painters. I get a lot of calls about what to charge, what you can expect to charge, and what the artists is supposed to include in their fee.

In my professional opinion, body painting has yet to become a profitable business unless you charge a nominal fee, or you have an endless supply of free paint. I have a very dear friend who is a professional body painter in Costa Rica, and an extraordinary businessman.

Rodrigo Piedra has mastered the art of booking body painting, and he has learned how to price his work and seek out clientele that can afford it. His fee is high, his work is quality, and he doesn’t compromise on the price. When he plans a body painting he includes the design fees, costs of materials, pre and post production, his team, and professional results. Because his fees are higher than average, he does less volume than some artists body painting at nightclubs and festivals. His approach to body painting is realistic and should be considered if you want to enter the body painting industry.
Body Painting by Rodrigo Piedra

Cost Vs. Time:
It takes about 3 oz to cover a full body with airbrush make up and 3 oz of paint ranges from $15-$35 depending on the brand. If you add nipple and bottom covers, adhesive, gems, other embellishments, and time to paint the actual design you could easily spend over $100 in just materials. If it takes you 3 -4 hours to paint the model, then you would need to charge over $500 to just cover your materials and time. Not many companies or agents have the budget to pay over $500 per model.

There are other ways to offer affordable body painting. Our great friend Nix Herrera, who was just recently on the Syfy channel series Face Off, is an amazing body painter and is regularly booked at nightclubs, resorts, and private functions. He is comfortable with his designs, incorporates his airbrush for faster base work, and in many cases does not cover the entire body. This speeds up his work, and allows his the time to be more detailed on other areas. Nix has also built up a closet of paint that he can expense over several jobs. If you have to purchase specific paint per job, this is where the costly part comes into consideration.

Body Art by Nix Herrera

The best way to start gauging your body painting earning potential is to make a list of designs you are comfortable with offering, how long it takes you to create that design, and doing an inventory on your face and body art supplies. Then you can lay out a plan of what you are selling and the cost associated. Otherwise you will be spinning your wheels and stressing over spilled paint and empty pockets!

Take classes from the professionals themselves! Rodrigo Piedra and Nix Herrera are on Face and Body Art Television! Visit Rodrigo’s profile page or Nix’s profile page and learn body art from the professionals!

Picture Perfect – Selling Your Canvas

I once had an argument with a fellow body painter about painting overweight models.  He felt overweight models ruined the image and that it was impossible to capture a great body painting on an over-sized canvas. I argued that art was subjective and that anything can be transformed into a work of art. That argument was sensitive to me because I have always been conscious of my body,  not that I want to be a body painting model, but I was bothered by the idea that the model makes the image.

Fast forward 6 years later. I am eating my words. I still don’t believe that body painting is only reserved for the super skinny, but I am a believer that a good model will ultimately sell your art for top value. I am still a little shaky and nervous when I body paint. The only thing that usually calms my nerves is when I paint a model I know. They set me at ease and let me be creative without being impatient or judgmental. Their attitude helps me be creative and that’s when I feel I produce my best work. I remember doing a job where the models were in a rush, they were antsy, and didn’t want paint on their faces. That was hands down one of my worst gigs, and the worst part was that several pics were taken that day so my name was attached to half ass work. Needless to say that didn’t help me garner new jobs.

Picture Perfect Group ShotNow on the flip side, when you have a model that is fun, patient, and can bring your art to life, that is a winning combination. I work with two models that always know how to bring out the best in my work. Many of you have witnessed little Lia grow through my youtube face painting videos and tutorials, her smile and charismatic personality makes my artwork that much better!  My other model of choice is Lia’s mom and my best friend for over 20 years, Glori. I have painted her 20 + times. She is a great model because she is photogenic, fun and her smile lights up the camera. A good body painting can take up to 8 hours and sometimes longer, so capturing a fantastic image is crucial.
Lia's RosesHeather painting Glori
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Picture Perfect KidsWhether you are creating a portfolio or need images for your website, don’t go for just any model. Go for the model that will sell your services with a bang! Choose a canvas that will make your artwork stand out and make it come alive. Finding a great model is like finding a needle in haystack, but it can be done. Otherwise you are doing yourself a disservice.

Happy Painting! -Silly Heather

 

Below I have embedded my YouTube channel for easy viewing. Hope you check out my face painting videos and subscribe! Enjoy!

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