Keeping fresh, even after 50 hello kitties???

Good morning guys

I've had a question for a while and keep thinking its going to get easier and it doesn't seem to be:

So, you all know the scenario, I'm at a 5-6 year olds party and they all want the same thing, "what Katie has please". I find myself losing it, getting sloppy, moving too quickly. How do you guys keep yourselves fresh and perfect after a few too many ........?

You are all amazing and I learn so much every time I log in!

"Oh, you want one exactly the same, but different, right?"--which confuses them enough to get a quizical assenting nod...and a sanction for you to adapt & play for your sanity's sake. Nearby mlms usually smile, as they don't want a cookie cutter approach for their little darling, either.

I tell them that every design is unique, still drives me a little batty though.

I change up bows, add flowers,etc. Just ask them favorite color and suggest something lol. They usually go for it!

that could be a monthly challenge - 50 hello kitties

my worst nightmare, 50 hello kitties!!! But mixing it up sounds good, I'm always worried about making changes, those little eyes see every detail, its amazing!!!

Same design on all the kids! That for me is a dream gig! In fact rather than getting sloppy mine tend to get better. These gigs are the perfect place to really hone a design. I think you just need to look at it differently, and tell your tell how good you're getting at these kitties. How you'll be the one everyone goes to for the perfect kitty.

Aw, spoken as an artist! So true!

I will do the same Hello Kitty mask with something different on it, as the others said: flowers, different bows etc, I had a party 2 weeks ago where I painted 20 Elsa's, they all were blue to start with but all different, I went to my inspiration folder I painted all the frozen designs I could find.

pictures Luz??

I hate it when this happens.... I call it the 'Safe Choice Phenomenon."

Basically, it's the same reason kids will order the same thing at a restaurant every time, or only like cheese pizza, or cream soda pop, EVERY time. It's because they already know they like that and don't want to take a risk not liking something new, and then having the experience be 'wasted'. So they go with the safe choice, and in this case the 'safe choice' is something they just saw you paint that looks good. So why risk having a bad design when they already know for sure you rock at hello kitty?

The reality is that that DON'T really want hello kitty, what they really want is to not be disappointed.

Our job is the coax them out of this 'what she/he had' hole, and show them that we can rock other designs too, and introduce them to new experiences.

But trust me, kids are stubborn and won't come willingly.

So this is why I have a simple rule and it never fails.

"No Copy Cats"

In your case the 'cats' part works perfect lol!

I always make a point of saying that the birthday girl (or boy) ALWAYS gets to their own design.

Kids can understand "no copy cats" and get behind the idea of this, with no explanation is needed. Though some times I might lament at how at how "boring" painting the same thing over and over is. Or even let them into on a "secret"..... "Hey you wanna know a secret? I'm not like other face painters you have seen who can only paint a few things. You wanna know what I can paint?" -they nod- "Everything!"

Get kids excited about picking something new, and they will be WAY happier for it, and so will you!