Obsessed? Going too far? Crazy, even?

Seriously, it's getting bad folks. I am so grossly addicted. It's like crack. Like pretty, colorful crack. It consumes my thoughts most days. I am exhausted from sitting out in the yard painting the neighborhood kids all day. I am losing sleep from sitting up reading the face paint forums all night. I spend hours making "face paint wishlists" and thinking up ideas for "face painting party packages". Hours watching face painting videos on youtube. My computer doesn't have sound, and i don't even care, I sit and stare at them anyway. I carry a notepad now to jot down "possible gig ideas".... Is this normal behavior when you're just getting into this wonderfully rewarding art? Or have I really gone insane?

I think you got the "Bug" It's passion for the arts. Congratulations, this is how you get really good at this craft. Don't worry, it will subside a little. Eventually....I think....yet it hasn't for me yet lol. It really means you have a passion for what you are doing. you are lucky to have the time to commit to it. If I had it, I too would paint the neighborhood, county, and state

"Whether I'm painting or not, I have this overweening interest in humanity. Even if I'm not working, I'm still analyzing people."

- Alice Neel

Thanks Alice, I AM lucky to have the time to "obsess" a little. I don't see it getting better. I have been an artist for as long as I can remember and I have never obsessed over an art like I am with this. At least I am happy! REALLY happy! Ahhhhhh I do feel better, thanks for your reply.

I have been at it almost a year now and there are still times I wake up in the morning and go to a notepad b/c I had a dream on a design I want to try or a new Face painting idea of some sort. I dont really thing it is normal but then i don't think it is normal for people to love their jobs as much as most of us do

I have yet to meet any creative person that is considered normal.
In other words, if you were normal you wouldn't be an artist!

I heard a great quote last night
"God must love crazy people, because he made so many of them!"

I am right there with you. I would love to quit my job and do this full time while I go to school! One day... one day!

I am still uber-obsessed and now it's seriously paying off! Which is good and bad...I don't have time to 'just create' as I'm being hired and it's my bridal season....feeling overwhelmed!!!!!!! BUT time to paint just to paint is around the corner!! I can feel it!

Yup, i've been doing this for 10 years and I still get charged up about it.
I come from a family of artists.. dad was a professional sigh letterer, mom can draw like a pro, sis can paint in any medium, and my aunt used to design hats for a company in NY. So it's in the blood!

Yep it's the passion running through your veins. Like Alice said it's that passion that will make you a sensational FP. I too can think of nothing else. It's been a few years for me now. I started dabbling in FP about 9 years ago but seriously got into about 3 yrs ago & it's still in my every waking/dreaming thought.

Oh, so it's not just me then... and I'm potentially going to have a long term obsession? oh dear! I guess there are worse things to love

I only just started and I'm feeling the same way...I'm day dreaming of designs, new paint, new brushes so much that I'm getting behind with the housework I should be doing and my house looks like a mess (at least I remember to feed the kids!)

It's true, we artists are always a bit quirky! I have noticed collectors are too. Well I can say I am glad to be hanging out here with all you amazingly talented and wonderfully crazy individuals!!!

I feel exactly the same way!

Thank goodness, I was worried there for a minute. I am skilled in all kinds of art and have been for all my life, but nothing, NOTHING has ever made me feel like this. Face painting is so much more... special. I think it's the interaction with the child you are painting.... You are touching his face, showing him a creative act, encouraging creative play, guiding him to deeper knowledge of what life can offer beyond video games... it's beautiful really. I love it so much it hurts.

MelodyFPL wrote:Thank goodness, I was worried there for a minute. I am skilled in all kinds of art and have been for all my life, but nothing, NOTHING has ever made me feel like this. Face painting is so much more... special. I think it's the interaction with the child you are painting.... You are touching his face, showing him a creative act, encouraging creative play, guiding him to deeper knowledge of what life can offer beyond video games... it's beautiful really. I love it so much it hurts.

Very sweet, and true. I am too obsessed, I is scary. All I do is think about face painting and when I am online I o the same things as you, browse face painting pages, And watch YouTube videos.

Yep.... Only another addict/artist would understand!!! I lose myself in just color combos... Give me a smiling child and it is just wonderland, I had just got my paint addiction in check and the starblends!!!!!