Can *anyone* "clown"? Or do you need a certain personality?

oh and if you meant the SMDH............. translation shaking my da_n head

Changing faces, I think that Perry got a little hurt, but I don't think that it was because this thread was unnecessary. Several painters have made comments on this thread, noting that it was an eye opener about the issues of clowns that face paint vs. face painters that pretend to be clowns.

I don't think that it is purely negative at all, everyone is just stating their opinion, and while not everyone is agreeing, people aren't just flaming each other with personal attacks or purposely saying mean-spirited things to harm one another. It's an open debate.

The Nose is a big deal, especially to clowns. To simply say that it is less important than say a face painting issue, like Wolfe vs. Diamond FX is just because you are seeing it from a painters point of view. There are many painters on this forum who are also clowns and take the issue pretty seriously(as seriously as a clown can be! ha!)

BluAngL83 wrote:Hi this is a quick pic i took before putting on some cute make-up. maybe you can start out by putting on some cute wig or crazy hair?

I like wearing falls in my hair as well! Kinda harder now with my short hair, but still fun and colorful

You know this for me was an isolated event where I got dressed- I tried to hire a clown because it is not my shtick and I knew that. I called a few I knew- they were booked -they told me to dress and I was very hesitant. The thing is that the woman wanted my painting she had seen me paint but her daughter loved clowns and it was a last minute party. I profusely explained I was not a clown but if she wanted clown like dress since everyone was busy I would agree. I did not act like a clown, talk like a clown, not talk, I just painted and was nice. The kids were so happy. This was a private party at a house. I did not charge anything extra for dressing. I wound up booking a huge Halloween party out of it. Yeah I could have not gone but I would have really missed out, and the birthday girl could have wound up completely without entertainment. There was absolutely no intention of disrespecting anyone or misrepresenting who I was. This on my end seems way more political than it needs to be, IMO only. But the open conversation is necessary and throwing your hands up in the air because someone has an opinion different than yours is not the way to understanding.
In the thread someone mentioned face painting as originating from clowning and I had to think about this, and historically I would have to disagree. It is an art form that stands on it's own. And if that is the case can every clown be a face painter by virtue of being a clown. Is it disrespectful to paint with out the proper training and market yourself as a face painter? Does anyone have the right to say another performer may not paint? I have seen many clowns the are not the greatest painters, does that bring down the face painting community? Now don't get bent out of shape, follow this -just flip the circumstances and see if the equation fits in reverse. In a very fast changing industry do all the old "rules" still apply. Can *anyone* be a face painter?

You know, I think things stayed civil! It got a little heated a while back, and could have exploded but it did not! The posters really pulled back (you can tell - it must have been difficult at that point) and really ADDED to the discussion. I learnt so much from this discussion, including that sometimes when things get overheated they can be cooled off again. Kudos to those posters who kept it heated (and INTERESTING!) yet still on track...

Regards, Barbie

I agree. Historically...face painting probably has been around since the beginning of time. I just meant that face painting for parties and events, the way most of us do it today, was primarily done by clowns and has now evolved as it's own unique specialty. Can anyone or any clown be a face painter? Absolutely not, IMHO. I have seen some terrible, embarrassing things placed on childrens faces that I want to scrub off. Even the child has come to me pointing to their face with a look of helplessness like, please, take this off and put something nice on me. That is why I call myself a face painter in the loosest of terms. I don't ever want anyone to look at what I've done and be upset or disappointed. That is why I practice all the time. I take it very seriously and I want to improve. That is why I joined this site. And as a clown, I want to be the best I can be. I don't want someone to look at me or my performance and say, what a lousy clown. You scare the kids, your makeup stinks, your magic stinks and you have a lousy costume. I have seen that too and trust me, it makes other clowns upset. There are those, like the acrylic paint face painters, who do it just for a buck, and it gives us all a bad name. I think that is the point we have been trying to make. Those who have posted take it seriously, as an art, like serious face painters here do.

I agree that this debate (thread) has gotten a little heated....but, I have also learned alot. In life there are 3 things that cannot be talked about without a heated debate.
1 - Politics
2 - Religion and
3 -Clowning

It is an art form and one that clowns take very seriosly with a ton of pride. I think if someone came into my office at work and told me that I am just a secretary (I am an accountant) it would offend me. I have alot more schooling and training to be an accountant. Does it make secretaries less important? Hell no. But, I take pride in being an acocuntant and the hard work I do. Please don;t underestimate my skills.
Just a different scenario....but all the same.

That said....I have painted my face colourful and worn silly clothes to get face painting jobs on the weekends. I never called myself a clown, nor will I ever. But, if the job requires me to dress in a certain way for me to earn money for my family....I am gonna do it. I do have limits.

I think this was a very healthy thread...but I can see where Perry'd feelings were hurt. She is a personal friend/colleague of mine and I respect her clowning 100%.

BluAngL83 wrote:Hi this is a quick pic i took before putting on some cute make-up. maybe you can start out by putting on some cute wig or crazy hair?

BluAngL,
I would like one or more of these - I miss my dreads and purple hair!
Can you pass on a link or info about where I might pick some up?
I remember someone on here makes a cheap version to sell to kids but I very much like the look of yours!
Don't worry everybody - don't have a clown's bone in my body- just want to express my inner creativity on the outside.......
Thanks!

Tash I think we are too grumpy to be clowns...

BAhahahahahaha Suzy you are sooooooo right!
I could be "smartass the clown" but I don't think I would be very popular.

I KNOW I can not be a clown! It's just not one of my "G-d given gifts". A big bow to all who have the right stuff to be a clown.

Tash: Gen Keller makes them. Her website I think is sparkle designs. She's on here. She was part of the thread for Yoko's Tiger Video and they started talking about locks n crazy hair.

Hi psalmbook, I work as a clown and also run clowning workshops. While clowns traditionally use grease paint, I don't believe it's necessary. I use my paradise which is so much more comfortable and I've never had any complaints about that. Each to their own, of course, but I wouldn't give up on the idea of clowning because of the grease paint. Don't worry that you're not 'talented at magic' or 'putting on a show' - the silly personality you speak of will serve you better than those things! Some gigs might require you to 'put on a show' that you've planned - people have different expectations as to what clowns do/are and will ask for various things but really its about being a child/innocent (to put it simply), turning your brain off in a sense to just go with being spontaneous and improvisation! Tricks, costume, etc are really just add-ons in a sense. Having said that, my costume is extremely important to me and a part of what helps me stay 'in clown'. I don't wear a nose, though. I think being naturally funny and outgoing does help, but I have a shy friend who is brilliant at clowning. I think there's a fine line between art/tradition and marketability, too. I think being versatile is important when it comes to making money as a clown.

https://www.facebook.com/Lulu.Clown

Oh, I must add that it is also about interaction!

Wow! This was informative. I actually considered dressing as a clown for a facepainting party, and I will not now. I didn't know it was so sacred to clowns, and I'm really glad I do. Thanks for the info and open conversation.
So... why the grease paint? Just tradition?? It almost seems like the nose and the paint are important like a religion. I'm fascinated!!

grease paint stays on MUCH better than face paint... as face painters, we know how easy it is to sweat off face paints. I work up a terrible sweat when I am clowning and grease paint can take not only sweat but you can splash it with water and it won't budge.

Hi Perry, I know many clowns love grease paint but it really disagrees with my skin for one thing. I do have very sensitive skin, though. My skin looks and feels like it's on fire when I wash it off and once it calms down, it breaks out. I do use a translucent powder with my Paradise which I find helps. Do you find that your makeup looks exactly the same by the end of a gig as when you applied it, Perry?

Sometimes after 8 to 10 hours of heavy sweating, my white is a little bit cracked, but yes it looks the same at the end of the day.

Perry, so sorry your feelings were hurt. I did not like that tone to some of the thread either Tamara (did your other packages arrive?)

I like FP forum because it is a place to discuss and share ideas and experiences, and we can disagree about liking or not liking paradise (from the smell to the line work capacity) without being fired upon like happens in some other forums, I dislike that becuase it feels mean and being right is way over rated (my opinion, and that opinion has changed over the years...the older I get, the more I realize that being right is so much less important than helping other people be happy and comfortable that they disagreed with you.) I did not like that feeling to this thread, but did like learning about the clown profession.

I started reading this thread because I have not ever agreed to dress up for a party when clients request it (I don't want to at all, which is my prefrence.) I suggest that the clinent who wants a face painter who is also a clown to contact a bigger enterainment company who employs clowns and sends out costumed painters, twisters, magicians, etc. If you were here in Ohio Perry, I would gladly send them to you.

Just another thought here, but I purchase my insurance as a face painter, not a clown, and since one of the clown associations sells me my insurance, I had an idea from the get go that the two things were distinct and beyond my knowledge base, then reading Perry's (and other clowns) FPF postings, it is obvious that being a clown is more than wearing a costume. I hold a great deal of respect for that.

Dress up if you want to because that is a preference, but if you want to be a clown, listen to what the clowns say. My favorite was Soupy Sales...was he a clown? "a little song, a little dance, a little selzer in your pants..."

This is a very important conversation, Perry and Jenny seem to have expressed themselves very well. Note how many times a comment is made about "dressing up like a clown". You are a clown or you are not a clown, children do not understand that you are "just dressed up" like a clown.
33 years clowning in 17 countries gives me a different view perhaps, the makeup issue is different in Europe than the US, costuming is different in many countries...be a face painter if you are a face painter. Pretending by putting on funny clothes that you are a clown is a major insult to the art and history of clowning...AND yes it does hurt clowning. I have a "Comedy Princess" performing for me and I perform out of clown....we sell these as "Comedy Entertainers"...NOT CLOWNS, because they are not clowns, however I still book my clown character.
Just spent time with ex Ringlings that are embarrassed to say they are clowns because of all the "dressed up people calling them selves clowns".
30 years ago Charlies Bruce Johnson said it well "making balloons, face painting do not make a clown". A great clown touches your emotions and is way beyond costuming. This is a MAJOR issue in the clown world.
If you will note Marcela Murad, Mama Clown whom I've known for 33 years does many gigs NOT as a clown because being a good clown often takes away from the concentration and focus of being a good face painter. We are suppose to be the pro when a client calls so it is part of our job to educate them. How sad generations to come will think a clown is simply a person dressed up funny. There are many options, be a character...NOT a clown unless you are a clown. The reason we offer the comedy characters is simply because the scarey, poor quality people dressing like clowns have frightened children. Halloween dress up as anything you want, but when you are selling yourself you have a responsibility to your client.
Silly Princess, Beautiful Fairy, we had a character in painter bibs with paint splattered all over her bibs...she was adored and everyone knew "The Painter" was here. Give it thought and be a character that is YOU, because often you will be paid more if you are a character...one of the easiest ways is hats...they stand out. Silly Farm & Priscilla Mooseburger both sell delightful aprons add a hat and people will treat you better because you look professional and special.
I'll even admit a little secret here: You will be treated with more respect NOT dressed in clown.
Perhaps the ones many mentioned about being so poor quality were balloon artists and such "dressing up like clowns".
Yes I am on a soapbox and hope many will listen with an open heart. I have in the past (and will for anyone that contacts me) assisted people in finding their character and costuming that will be comfortable to work in and look pro. I am not selling anything or wanting to charge you, I would just like to see the world of face painting elevated and the world of clowning protected...and everyone making more money. If I have something you could use I'll even pay the shipping US to send it to you.
P.S. for those newer and aware of "Silly Heather" at Silly Farms or on youtube....please note she was taught this business by her Aunt Marcela, Mama Clown...BUT you do not see her painting in clown.

Well said skj!!

When I was first starting with ventriloquist, face painting, balloons and stuff, I thought I wanted to be a clown. I bought a bunch of clown books, read through them and decided I didn't want to be a clown. I instead decided to be a silly dressed grandma character. I chose the name "MeeMee". In the south it is a term used for grandma. My decision came from loving Grandma "Barry Lubin" so much. If you don't know him watch one of the videos on youtube. I think he is awesome. I love my character very much because it is me: loving, fun, but stern.

If you will note Marcela Murad, Mama Clown whom I've known for 33 years does many gigs NOT as a clown because being a good clown often takes away from the concentration and focus of being a good face painter.

This is very right you can't very well be a clown when your busy painting but some clients expect it. My Daughter and I are card carrying clowns but we're face painters first. I'm also a card carrying magician but that's another story. I call myself a children's artist because I not only paint faces but at the Theme Park I paint and personalize parasols for kids. I've been to 2 of Steve Kessill's Clown Jams and won 3 awards at the first one. A first and second in face painting and a second in paradability.[img][/img][img][/img] Aunt Fannie in the pink and Glitter the Clown
Perry there is a problem not wearing foundation with a lite Auguste look. We tried it last spring and got sunburned where we didn't have clown makeup. Not a good look

No not everyone can be a clown. But everyone can give it a go and see if you like it and if it works for you great. You have to try to find out. I am a very serious person, but love to joke and laugh with both kids and adults. I could never see myself as a clown, maybe a witch, temptress, villan or the people that work at draculars.. I so could do that!!.. so I am thinking that nice jokey clowns just not in my personality LMAO