I've seen face painting booths at shows for decades. When I first saw them they would paint a flower on a kid's cheek or something like that. Something even I could do.
But lately.....
I've been doing some shows where the artwork is outstanding! The kids (and sometimes Mom) are made to look like animals, or creatures, or whatever. One African American couple was in by booth and the kid was painted like a lion, and he really looked fantastic!
So I found the artist and she said she paints what she sees in the face structure, so no two are ever alike.
Opinions on face painters at shows?
Replies
I love this thread! I started Face Painting in the 70s and sold the idea to Cedar Point in Ohio and Hersheypark in PA (Disney didnt want it then because they said it was too FAIR like.) I paid for college face painting and back then the designs were simple cheek art. Now I play my Mother's role and help my daughter do what I did years ago.
Things have changed however. A flower, or a chick on a cheek is something a teacher can do at a school field day. If we have paying customers it needs to be something GREAT! I am proud to say that my daughters face paintings. So now there is glitter and gemstones, full animal faces and fairy princesses. Yes she draws a crowd just like I did way back when, and yes her faces are quite artistic. I challenge many who paint something on a surface that doesn't move to paint something complicated on a kid with a sweaty face full of cotton candy and make it look great!
However my daughter is also an Art Student. She is in a highly respected Animation/Illustration School and top of her class. We show her paintings as well. So while we get the kids in the booth, we sell the traditional artwork to the parents. So the person who responded to this thread that doesn't want to be near a booth like this... <giggle> okay, I am cool with that.
It reminds me when she won Best of Show for a Painting and when she went up to accept the award of course her own face was painted like a Tiger. Hahahaha. I found out later that the Chairman of the Show took a lot of complaints that the FACE PAINTER WON BEST OF SHOW. They thought she was a one trick pony and only painted faces. The Chairman had to explain that she had entered a 2d piece of work. The next year the other participants looked more seriously at her traditional work, and we still prefer to be placed closer to the kids. Still makes me laugh they all became a little threatened by the face painter.
What a great story, Wendy. Thank you.
Something wrong with me here because I'm agreeing with each comment. Chris is right, the luck of the draw who is next to you and that is part of the fun of the show. Who will be my neighbor? Making friends with the face painter is good too, sharing info back and forth. I remember being next to a henna artist at a slow show, so guess what? We traded. Cool.
I love it when artists also demonstrate their painting in their booths, not everyone, of course, but it is a good way of interacting with the visitors and teaching a little art appreciation along the way.
Hi Chris,
IMHO, I think there is a place for them to be at an art fair but it isn't next to me...nor should I be next to the henna art or any other kind of participatory art. I like these artists to be separate from the visual exhibiting artists who are displaying a body of work. I like to think of my booth as a mini art gallery and this type of artist who is performing on the spot is a little distracting from the continuity.
But isn't that what the shows are all about? We never know who our neighbor will be, and we adjust for it every weekend.
You never know, while Crumb Cruncher's face is being painted, mom could be looking at your work. But that's up to you.
The first thing I would do in your case is to befriend that face painter at the very beginning of the show. That way if you're slow and he/she has a kid in the chair, I would be talking to the parents and saying things like "isn't he/she good?" Then I let the parent know I'm next door and this is what I do.
Face painter doesn't mind because he/she is already making the sale, but I now have another potential buyer in my booth too.
It's called making lemonade from the lemons you got.
Most of them I don't see as art ... very simple and not much imagination. However, I was next to one at a show in my first year and the lady did the most unbelievable work I have ever seen. Similar to the one Chris posted but could be even more elaborate. I think she charged only $5.00 each. Her husband was there too and they do this a LOT ... busy most weekends. I was so impressed I took a pic of one of the kids to post on FB that day as a draw to the event. LOL
At least it is not buy/sell.
This one amazed me.
I really believe they are every bit an artist as one who does 2D work that hangs on the wall of the booth.
I take it you don't? If so, why?