Body Painting Dilemma?

Hi all,

I just got a phone call... I can't help but put my guard up about it but the guy seems genuine. Just a couple odd factors I suppose..

He lives in Michigan, but he'll be coming to Hamilton, ON for the UFE Havoc, which is a huge Canadian Body Building Competition. He wants me to paint him purple with the bone structure. He said he liked the half-face on my website and knew he had to have it.

My issues are these:

He says he wants it done at the hotel so that nobody sees it (including his wife and kids) until show time.
He wants me to call him Butch when his name is something else
I have never done a body paint like this and I have no idea how to price it out!

So please, if I am being totally assuming about this being a possible sex assault set up, tell me. Because I think it would be really cool but I also don't know the standard procedures.

And how do I price this?

I firmly believe in first impressions and I'm ALWAYS mad at myself for not listening to my gut reaction. So I think you've already answered your own question. You should be able to paint in a public place and I would have a friend go with you if you do end up going.

I don't have much to go on. Pashur has his body painting prices posted on his website to give you an idea.

Good luck.

Dear Jessica:
Trust your spidey senses.

Where is the competition being held? In the same hotel?
When is it?

I would be having my husband bring me to the event, even though I drive. I always set my alarm for 5 minutes, and then I will "forget" paper towels, baby wipes, etc. If everything is okay, I call my hubby to bring it up to me. If anything were wrong, I would not call and my hubby would be at the door at the 5 minute mark.

My prices are by the hour.

Always always trust your gut instinct.

He said he hasn't booked the hotel yet. My mom would bring me and stick around so that's taken care of. The thing is this is a big event so I don't think he would be giving me so many details about it if he were planning on taking me out unless he isn't really in the competition.

He's calling me back later tonight, so I'll have some time to think and ask the bf if he approves lol

You would also need to seal the paint if he is a competitive body builder, as he would have to go clothed in transportation to the venue. The clothing, and car could rub off the paint.

How would I seal the paint? I don't even know if I want to get into this now lol.

I'd probably charge in and around $200... Maybe I should make it $250 just for the scare factor haha

There was a competitor who was painted as the Hulk previously so I guess bodypainting is the norm for this thing. He said it's 1/3 of the score, to which I replied, "No pressure..."

Hey Lisa, want this one?

I will be in Key West already,
doing face and body painting.

I have used Kryolan fixing spray.
I use it on the skin before painting.
I paint.
I fix with a final coat.

I understand that Facetheart has an EXTREMELY talented face painter who could probably send you a picture of YOUR own work, to tell you that she CAN do the job.

fesspenter wrote:
I understand that Facetheart has an EXTREMELY talented face painter who could probably send you a picture of YOUR own work, to tell you that she CAN do the job.

You're killin me today

Good thinking Lisa, I'll try her.

I agree with everything already said. Trust your instinct, and if you go ahead with the gig, be smart and careful about it. If you want to scope things out, perhaps make sure you drop into your next conversation something like:

"I and my assistant will need [whatever amount of time] to do the job, and we'll need to use a sealant.....etc. etc."

You don't actually need to take an assistant in reality (though ideally, you'd have someone with you and it sounds like your mum would be there) but his reaction to the idea of you NOT being alone might speak volumes. If he tries to convince you that there's some reason there should only be you, alone, there....then run like a thousand gazelles in the opposite direction, IMHO.

Does that make any sense?

I agree that you should have an "assistant" there with you the whole time.

I've decided not to take the job. The fact that I even have to ask about it is enough for me to say no.

Thanks for your input everyone!

If your instinct was strong enough to cause you to refuse the job, it's almost certainly correct. At the very least, you'd have been uncomfortable and unlikely to be able to do your best work.

I probably would have taken the job.. got payment up front.. and either had my BF or a burly friend there as security.
Even hookers don't go to a hotel room alone, they have a security guy with them.
same with Strippers doing a bachelor party
It's the world we live in.. as women and there being an abundance of predators there are lots of stuff we can still do.. you just have to have contingency "just encase" plans for everything.

And just like Kammy said.. if there is any aversion to bringing someone else along.. Run like the wind

He never ended up calling me back, funny enough. I was going to decline the job but I didn't have to