Another Hello from Pennsylvania

Hi everyone,

I am also a relatively new painter (1 year) from Pennsylvania - the southeastern part just outside of Valley Forge. I do not have a formal art background, but I have always loved sketching, doodling, painting, etc. It's just something I've always found helps me to de-stress. I would LOVE to take some formal art classes someday, but until then, I have you all, YouTube and FABAtv to help me through!

I picked up a cheap kit at Walmart one Halloween (didn't know any better at the time - LOL) and painted my 2 daughters for trick or treating. I posted pics on facebook and my friends said "You should do this professionally!" HUH? I didn't even know there was a market for face painting outside of the zoo, the Jersey Shore boardwalk, and amusement parks! So, I started doing some online research about how to get started. I ordered a 6 color Snazaroo starter kit that came with some brushes and sponges in a cool yellow plastic carrying tub from Amazon. It took FOREVER to get here! In the meantime, I found out my local Michael's carried those small 8 Snaz color kits and practiced with that on my kids with tutorials from YouTube videos. I stumbled across Heather Banks' videos and followed her link to Silly Farm, but had to wait a little while before I ordered my first real palette. My first big event was a volunteer event, but they allowed me to hand out business cards. It was my daughter's school's jubilee fundraiser. I did a few birthday parties for friends, and got my first big paid gig at a fundraiser for a local Christian School. And the gig trail grows from those first few events!

I'm very blessed that my husband has a great job, and I have a fun and flexible part time day job at the front desk of the local YMCA (where they sometimes hire me as a contractor to paint faces too), so I don't have to have several big events every weekend or else not be able to eat. I'm able to paint for the sheer enjoyment of it and if I make a few bucks on the side, yahoo! I have a paint color addiction (as I'm sure many of you do). When the UPS truck arrives with my new paints, I'm like a kid on Christmas morning! I squeal and jump up and down. It's pretty funny actually.

This Wednesday, I'm super excited. I pooled together a team of parents from my daughters' school and we are doing the stage make-up for the 2nd grade musical. They are doing a play called "Arf!" where they are all different breeds of dogs. My team and I are painting all 110 students. The 18 lead roles will be full faces (Starblend bases to the rescue!) and the chorus will be just puppy muzzles with little red tongues hanging out, but they are going to be so cute! I promise to post pictures after the big event!

Ok, I've rambled on enough. Thanks to all who made it through this! I look forward to getting to know you!

Welcome to the forum from a fellow Pennsylvanian.