Booked my first big public event for Olympics 2010

I'm kinda excited to face paint at my first big public event. Nervous too, although I'm confident in my skills, I'm a control freak and like to KNOW how it'll all go before I go through it. Does that make sense?

This forum has been a wealth of info so I think I have a good idea of what I should do for set up etc. They tell me they'll have someone to control the line. I'm sticking to a few 'set' designs that are all about the winter olympics and the torch relay. They have 'no budget' but they did approve giving me $100 and paying for expenses and I think that's OK for my first gig. It's not that long.

The olympic torch is going through Abbotsford Feb 7th at 5:30 in the evening and they're having a big party. I'll be painting for only a couple hours before the main celebration/ceremony. I don't get to advertise (thank you VANOC) but I will be building a relationship with the city of Abbotsford parks & rec folks. Hopefully I can 'slip' a business card to folks if they ask. My big banner from 'vistaprint' just says 'Facepainting' but I made it with a look of my logo so it might get some association the next time they see my logo.

I was surprised they approved the sample designs I did. I get to paint the 'innukshuk' logo, and the mascots. I didn't even attempt the olympic rings because I know they'll ban that. Why 'poke the bear' right? How many designs do you think I should prepare?

I was thinking of working on some 'first nations' designs too. The Northwestcoast native art is amazing. I took a course in it years ago. BC has very unique first nations art. The totems are a very small part of the rich and beautiful designs.

I'll be practicing our lovely Canadian flag maple leaf for the next couple of weeks! Any tips Shannon?

Good luck with this. I can't wait till it starts. I LOVE the ice skating and most of the winter sports!

I LOVE the three at the bottom - toooo cute!

Cool!

So you can't advertise.... What about the business cards with removal instructions that "happen" to have your contact info on them? Even if it is just your website at the bottom?

What a cool experience to be a part of!

Good point Jennifer! I'll have them upside down the the removal info side up...hee hee.

VANOC is the Vancouver Olympic Committee and they're very militant with the rules. There is an 'Olympic Pizza' place that's been here for close to 30 years I think that they tried to make change their name because the Olympics were coming to town. Their big bucks won in court but they ended up letting up due to public outcry and let them keep their name. There will be lots of activities with Abbotsford during the Olympics too, so if all goes well on the 7th, maybe I'll get some more opportunities at that time too. They've already mentioned Canada Day.

With the maple leaf you need to get it down to a few strokes to do it fast! I've managed to get it down about 6 strokes with a #4 round...

Inukshuks are pretty quick and easy (I'm doing one too - but the Artice Winter Games has decided to make lick n-stick tatts of MY designs so they will be on every athelete!)

Love your tourch design!

Congratulations on the Fantastic Gig!!!

With that sized gig, I would get out my stencil burner, make up lots of stencils and keep the freehand strokes to just embellishments. Besides supplies, be sure to bring everything you could possibly need (food, drink, etc) for a loong day.

Wishing you total success,
Susan

Good idea on the stencil burner! I've only used the kind you put on a wall, where do you find the material to use on a face? Is it the kind in the airbrush section at Michaels? Would you put a temporary adhesive on the back or just hold it down while you sponge on paint?

The gig is only 2 hours long so I won't get everyone done obviously, so the quicker the designs the better.

How do you make lick n-stick tatts? I'm a graphic artist, so I could get the design done, but not sure who/where you get them made into tatts.

Thanks!

For stencils I use the transparent papers for overhead projectors, without adhesive. You can also use the transparent plastic to wrap books, that have adhesive on the back.

They make custom tattoos:
http://www.tattoosales.com/TempTattoos.aspx

wow, this is awesome congrats and good luck!!!

Thanks LoneWolf! I bet I can use my sizzix and paper punches on that. I have a bunch of that overhead transparencies I hung onto for no good reason. I love it when my 'saving stuff' pays off.

Just an FYI Trendy Tribals has some Canadian based stencils...... I know Stephy gave me the flag - she has a whole set I think check. They are super great stencils.

trendytribals.com

I decided to try painting a gold medal on me for the Torch Relay Event. I practiced today. I know they're supposed to be a little longer, but this is as 'low' as I was willing to go

Amazing gig, great designs! Congrats

Awesome... and my husband looked over and said "Cool!"

congrats! the designs are really cute!

Well I survived! I was supposed to arrive at 5:00 to start at 5:30 and go to 7:00 pm. I came half hour early cuz parking was going to be a zoo. I was set up by 4:55 and had a line already. I thought..."I should pee first" but didn't. I got started and after one quick break to take a sip of water I finished at 8:35 pm! At 7:15 I 'cut off the line' but severely underestimated how many kids were in the line to that point. They'd been waiting in line for hours so I couldn't turn them away. They were taking the tent down around me by the time I actually started packing up. Me and the 'mini donut' guys were the only ones left at 8:30 with line ups still.

I wish I could tell you how the Torch Relay went, but I saw nothing! I heard music and cheering but that's it. I was hunkered down the entire time. I sure got fast at a lot of designs though. I'm not sure how many I did, but it was a lot! There were thousands of people there and I painted close to 100 I think. I had no assistant either. I think I'll get more work out of the City though. They were very happy with the work I did. They mentioned Canada Day, so I bet I'll get that gig. Yay! I'll make sure I have an assistant then though. That'll be a long day.



Here's our Olympic logo, the Inukshuk...a symbol of friendship and working together. An easy paint at least. The mascots took a bit longer. I was surprised how many actually wanted them.



I loved the masquerade mask Kristal did so much I 'borrowed' it ...and of course I gave myself another gold medal.

That's awesome - but always take time to pee before!

wOOT! wOOt! Great gig!!! Sounds like a win! I remember one of my first gigs where I painted until after the gig with the parents' headlights on so I could finish their kid!! funny when you are in demand it is hard to turn down the kids.....

Congratulations a great gig and fab designs too. Well done you.