Painting in the Park

Hello Everyone,

I am new to painting and I have been practicing on everyone I know. I thought about going to the local park by my house to get more practice in. Should I charge? If so how much? Does anyone know if you need a permit? I a so excited but nervous!!

Thanks in advance,
Yoshi

This could be a great way to get some practice, but also consider things like daycares and the schools where you may not need a licence and won't have to deal with the outside elements. But make sure you are insured and have some business cards.

I would contact the city or county that the park falls under and ask if you need a licence to offer a free service or if you charge. I would suggest that if you are new and need to practice, working for just tips might be more appropriate and will get you a lot more practice. Just make sure to seed your tip jar with $1s and $5s or you won't get any or they may do change.

-Metina

Good Idea Metina!! Putting things in motion now. I am so excited!!

Definately check with the city to make sure it's okay first. You can usually go to the local chamber of commerce to get this information, if not, the people there can usually point you in the right direction. If you need a liscense or permit, GET ONE. If a street cop asks you for a proof that you are allowed to be there and you don't have it, he could write you a ticket with a hefty fine, seize your supplies, or even arrest you! (that's usually only after repeated offenses, but still!)

If you need a permit, they probably will require you to have insurance anyway, so make sure you get that. Anyone who works in this business without insurance is just asking for problems in my opinion.

Whether you charge an actual price or just do donations is your choice. I would recommend just doing donations, because then people won't be influenced by price whether to get painted or not or whether they want a big fancy design or just small cheek art. You want practice all kinds of designs so set yourself up to have a chance to practice all kinds of designs.

Metina has a fantastic idea of planting $1s and $5s in the tip jar before you even start. That makes people think that someone at least thought you were worth that much and makes people more inclined to tip you generously thereafter. People don't like to look cheap and are self concious of what others think of them, so they'd be a bit embarrassed to drop in coinage if they see bills in there.

Wishing you all the best!

Thanks Punky! Great advice. Where should I look for insurance? What is it called?

Specialty Insurance Agency, though the rates went up this year. Bummer!

An internet search for specialty or entertainer's insurance might work too. I have mine through the World Clown Association and the rates are pretty reasonable.

I use Speciality Insurance..I think the rates are very reasonable

I use Specialty Insurance. I've never needed to use them, but have heard good things.

I wanted to paint in the park, too...though I discovered through talking with a cop that while selling art is legal without a license on the sidewalk (at least here in NYC), the parks are governed by a different jurisdiction and it is not allowed. I set up outside the park. I even called the city to see if there was a permit i could get. They said no, face painting inside the park is just illegal. That being said, there is a zoo inside Central Park in Manhattan, and you see face painters all the time. I pointed that out to the person I spoke to, and was told they could be arrested (?)

My feeling is that cops just turn the other cheek (so to speak). I mean can you picture a face painter in the park being handcuffed?

Hand cuffed, no.... Unless they're real belligerent. But, they can be fined a heft penny. Maybe the face painters have an agreement with the zoo? I've called the zoo and asked to paint in trade for my family membership.

Good idea did they let yo swap faepainting for membership?

If you are still looking for practice places McDonald's are also a big hit. I get a decent amount of tips and gigs from just hanging at a McD's in the child play area for a couple hours once a week. Ask the manager first if they mind, but they generally won't. OH, and go the the McD's in the better part of town if you are looking for gigs, but the McD's in the less affluent part of town if you want the biggest smiles. I have had the pleasure of being the first FP some of those kids have gotten to have, so that is a huge high that cost you very little and makes their day!

I recommend finding a restaurant and working there on kid's night. great practice, it's where i got my start.