Dec 4th- Pashur

I am headed to this class from VT (Also going to the class the Sunday before in MA).. Is anyone from the boards going?

Do you mean the Pashur class run by the guild? That's Dec. 4 in Long Island... Not going bc it is $150 but it should be awesome!

hmmm maybe it is and I have my dates confused with the Plymouth one. going to go recheck..

Ok I was confused. Apparently I am going to Pashur's class the week before too! and yes, it's costing a small fortune but I'm sooo excited and really looking forward to it! Hoping it helps me progress faster and learning and trying lots of new things this winter!

The class is cheap....It is being taught by a Master Painter, with limited seating.

So imagine, you are paying less then $30 an hour to learn from a master painter...., you charge more then that for a gig. This is a bargain. Your confidence and ability will increase so much, that you will probably increase your rates soon after.

Remember to take your camera, Business cards and relax and have fun.

I get to go to his Class in November.

Jenny

I agree with Jenny.. I've taken classes from the Wolfe boys, Jodi Carr, Mark, and many others at conventions and everything costs a fortune, but I have to say that it is WORTH it. There is no way that I'd be the painter that I am today without having had those connections with those painters and the painters in the classes with me.

Hi Ashley. I've gotten to take some of them classes at the same time as you, but I have to admit, you have gotten so much better then I have. The reason is that you are a good student. You took the classes and then followed up by doing the homework assigned.....You have been practicing a whole lot and it shows.

I have my $600 spider from the Wolfe Bros....2 day class plus hotel, and the best story too. That was my first class from a master painter, and worth every penny spent.

I'm looking forward to seeing you in another class, Maybe at Kapital Kidvention?

Keep on taking classes and learning new techniques, and practicing them. The results show in your quality of art.

Ashley You Rock,

Jenny

Jenny, you ARE a good painter! Your elaborate flowers still look better than mine!

Did we learn a spider in that Wolfe class that we took at Carols?? lol... I don't remember it at all!

Shows how much I got out of it...lol. At least I got to meet you and Carol and Shonna! Goodness, if I hadn't met Shonna, I never would have Ryan! I can't imagine!

I really don't practice as much as I should.. I practice on the job..lol That's probably terrible, but it's true!

I'm not sure about Kapital Kidvention.. I remember Ryan mentioning something about it, so maybe we'll go. I'll be at fabaic for sure though.. stil undecided on Las Vegas though. Have to wait and see!

I decided not to go to this (unfortunately!) as we are going out of town this coming week and my kids have home school co-op the following week....INSTEAD I am going to Orlando in May! and taking some smaller classes in Manchester. I think Pashur has a class there too..need to check and register..

Hey, I just took Pashur's class Nov. 19 in Fairfax Va. it was the tips class, and had the spider with shadow in it. The spider was so easy....and I'm struggling...I just can't get it, but I'm practicing.

Mike was there too, and if he goes to Michelles' jam tonight in Columbia Md. then maybe I'll get some extra help. Mike is awesome.

Pashurs teaching style is great. It's a show, explain and do style, where he helps you practice what he taught after each section of demos. I highly recommend him. This is truly an inexpensive class, because you learn so much. It will make you a better painter, no question.

I have taken many classes and each one has been the best, with the exception of one....that was a pre class at a convention on Tribals. At that class the instructor did not prepare, it showed, and the class was a total failure. It's sad that she got paid at all.

Pashur IS prepared, he knows how to teach, and his class is worth more then he charges. He even brings his own model so that no one misses anything.

If you get a chance, you have to forget about any excuses and take his class, you will be glad you did. Why he even has a short section on marketing and increasing your rates.

Jenny

Just Jenny wrote: It's sad that she got paid at all.

Instructors are paid?? That's new.

Shannon, you are kidding aren't you???? The tribal class was a pre class, and the instructors were paid by the number of people who signed up for their class.

Jenny

Usually the fees from the pre-class pay the instructor's travel expenses (if that...)

At the big conventions I've been involved in as an instructor ... the instructors that do the pre-class get the funds to pay for their travel expenses as the conventions RARELY pay for them to be there. Now... there are exceptions (certain STAR instructors), but I have first hand knowledge and experience.... instructors are rarely paid - you get the hotel room (usually you get to share with someone and you don't necessarily get to choose), the so called "free" registration so you can attend classes when you aren't teaching...

This is why the pre-classes are pretty much always "big name" instructors - the instructors agree to do them in order to pay their travel/expenses to be there for the actual conference/conventions... the rest of the instructors are paying their own way there in most cases...

This is slowly beginning to change, and it is about time! Bodyessy in Toronto actually paid their instructors and Living Canvas paid a per diem.

I'm blown away. I thought all the top instructors were paid, plus got their rooms and admission.

So, Where does all the money go???? Do the rooms for the classes cost that much? I know it must be a major undertaking to organize a convention, but Why would anyone teach at one if they can be at least be making some money by teaching classes on the road? I don't even know how the instructors on the road can afford to teach all day classes with only 15 or so people per class at the small rates that they charge.

Don't get me wrong, I love paying the small fees to learn from the masters, I just don't know how they do it. That they love the art so much, that they are willing to share with all of us is nothing short of a miracle.

Maybe the Face Painting conventions should do like the Balloon Conventions where each person pays an extra small fee at the door, that goes directly to the instructor.

Are we off the original topic yet?

Jenny

There was a topic?

There is a mindset amongst some of those who organize face painting conventions that anyone asked to be an instructor should feel honoured and willing to pay their own way. Because, you know, it is an honour and raises your profile to be associated with it.

At some events the Vendors are required to provide instructors as part of their contract. And that is fine - they are there to sell product so it makes sense to teach a class featuring their products and "spokes artists."

Conventions are great places to learn, and as you said cheap for those attending who get to see all those different instructors and talents in one place!

Like Jenny, I'm totally blown away that the Instructors aren't paid! It's obvious that the organizers use the Instructors Classes as a draw to the Conventions. Is that why the Convention Classes are so short???
I was surprised at the length of the classes at Fabbulas being 75-90 minutes, which is why I chose not to go. The Kid Konvention in January has two two hour classes by Marcella and Gen but I am still on the fence about going, even tho it is half an hour from me.
On Thursday, I also attended Pashur's Hands-On Workshop 10-7pm at Arla's studio in Fairfax, learning so much while we were having lots of fun practicing it ; ) Lindy, who sat next to me, really enjoyed it so she decided to take his Post-Event Workshop Today.
The Conventions offer Jams with lots of talent but I guess I got spoiled because we have that every month (with FP supplies available) at the Vienna Jam, for which I am most appreciative.
I think I would prefer to put away funds for a longer Master Workshops, like Pashur's, rather than shorter Convention classes.
Happily painting what I learned in Pashur's class,
Susan

Since the organizers don't pay the Instructors, I'd love to know where the money from the Convention attendees & vendors goes, too!
Susan

Didn't go to the food.

I think we would all be shocked how much really goes to the hotel venue for all the conference rooms, sound and audiovisual equipment rental setup/breakdown and cleaning/prep. Not to mention additional damage charges (stained walls, floors, and towels) can sometimes be a problem too. (I used to be in corporate purchasing and contracts.) I do agree , however, the instructors should get some compensation, ability to market their product, and travel and room expenses covered. From my understanding, the real money comes from the corporate sponsors/vendors - not as much from the attendees per se.

Truly- a big convention - in my humble opinion is not to be completely knocked. There is no other place you will see so many inspiring artists gathered who love what you love ALL IN ONE PLACE over one weekend. Even if you are too strapped to belly up for the $250 to $350 for the full event- going for one day and jamming with everyone will blow your mind and you will see many different styles, techniques, and products used in different ways. I consider it to be almost "life changing". Where else can you go from Jinny's demo, to the Wolfe's classes, to the Pashur designs/blending, a Mark Reid jeans class, to the Ambah jewels, all in one day followed up by a room full of EVERY ONE competing or jamming?? You could easily blow money on several books and dvd's and never come away with the sensory overload and experiences and pics of a lifetime from seeing it "live". Not to mention the opp to meet people from all over the country and perhaps world. It is the "mix" that makes it worth it. (plus a pretty cool swag bag : )

Smaller conventions and classes are AWESOME too from the standpoint they offer a more intimate setting, less crowded, less stressful environment, where you can feel like you came away more "hands on" learning and take aways and perhaps practice and resulting confidence that "yes" you can do it. Plus, you can really meet the instructor, see what they are doing, their setup, brushes, ask your questions, and bond/network a little more with mostly local participants since the class time is longer.

They both have their place and are GREAT WAYS to grow in your art.

However, from an instructor's standpoint... when one is a working professional it is sometimes not a "compliment" to be asked to spend your own time and money to "share" what you know without compensation in some form...

I think it is wonderful that artists like Pashur (are we getting back to topic now?) is touring running his own workshops!! That way at least he is being properly paid for his talent and teaching!

And the artists that are "hosted" to teach around the country like Mark and others offer a great opportunity for people who can't travel to conventions.

I do agree , however, the instructors should get some compensation, ability to market their product, and travel and room expenses covered.

I guess we(I) went off topic. And Yes!! I fully agree instructors should receive compensation for their time, talent and willingness to share their knowledge- most especially those who are gifted teachers and artists (not all have both skills). No one should be asked to "give away" what they have honed, have or developed thru trial and error just for "free" or for "exposure". If we all had $5 for every call we get to do our "magic" for exposure - we'd have $100 bucks in our pockets easy!!!!!

I went to Pashur's Tampa class and he is an excellent, organized, talented, artist AND instructor. He is also quite patient with a great sense of humor, but don't goof off too much or you will get the eye!!! He is serious about getting through what he wants everyone to learn! EVERY ONE IN HIS CLASS came away with something that made a day that cost $100 a serious bargain. Taking what you learned could easily earn you 5 to ten times the cost of his class in a month or two. I highly highly recommend him. It is a fun day full of many "aha" moments!!!

Just bought my ticket for Pasur's Zoomanity all day jam at the Manchester convention..is anyone else going? ($100 for all day seems like a steal!!!)

Thanks to everyone who gave me compliments on my workshops and teaching skills as an instructor. I have really been enjoying traveling doing so many workshops lately, meeting everyone, sharing what I know and teaching designs that you can all use and make your lives easier.

Take as many workshops that you can from as many instructors that you can and attend as many convention that you can. Find out what instructors are teaching and how it will help you in the field.

I will be teaching 7 classes at the show in Manchester, CT, including the Zoomanity class. I will also be teaching at the Feb Vegas convention, LaFete in March and FABAIC in May.

I will also be doing a 4 day body paint workshop in Vegas in March, a Hawaiian Face Paint Getaway in mid April and a workshop cruise to the Bahamas in December.

I look forward to sharing with you all at these events.

Pashur

I can't make the whole weekend - can I just take the class or do I have to register for the whole event?

I have to add that I was blown away with how cool and open the intructors at Fab were. I was expecting a bit of the prima madonna act that I had heard, but everyone was super nice. Pashur actually came up to me and introduced himself and I think I am still picking my jaw up off the floor!

Kerry Ann Smith, Wolfe Brothers(But they are always cool), Mark Reid, and the super fly Karen Sawyer. I just wished I had had more time to take classes.

But, you have to factor in other costs of these conventions when considering. Room, travel, money you'll spend on top of the cost of the convention. Luckily it seems that they are becoming more numerous and spaced out, which means more of us can dry instead of fly, which helps A LOT!