Face Painting in Canada

Greetings fellow sparkly denizens!

My husband has been researching Canadian fairs/festivals and I am curious as to what kind of standards I would have to uphold to do any work in Canada.

We live in Idaho right now.

Any thoughts? Right now he's mostly found things in Alberta.

I'm just getting a general feel before I go into any in depth research.

Thanks!

These are the rules for Alberta (it says Calgary, but they amalgamated the whole Province into one Health Board so these are the rules that now apply everywhere)

http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/publichealth/envhealth/program_areas/special_events/documents/Requirements_for_Personal_Services_at_Special_Events_&_Trade_Shows_2007.pdf

Are you thinking of moving or just coming up for festivals?

My husband has received job offers up there and we travel through quite a bit to go to Alaska to see family.

I never know what the future holds, so for right now, just doing festivals. Who knows if we move there in future.

Thanks for the link! I truly, truly appreciate it.

Alberta is the only place that has rules about that stuff, the rest of Canada is the same as the US as far as that goes.

Prices on face painting here are different if you do PPF. A face that gets $10-$15 or more in the US, most painters here (at least in my area) charge $5-$8 for. There usually aren't the long, rabid lines that Southern US painters have. I do mainly PPF all summer because I love it, but for comparison, I make in a weekend what some US painters claim to make in a day at their fests. Depends on the location as well. Where is hubby getting the job offers from? (Location not company LOL)

At our Street Performer's Festival the FP was $5/$7 & $10

I'm finally getting people here used to $8 faces...they are used to cheap or free. Now they know me, they'll pay it...but it took some work to get my name out there! LOL My first fair of the year, I 'MIGHT' be able to bump the prices...but I'd rather be busy at $8 than sit around. Every other fair...no line ups. I may not be the best in the world, but I know I stack up very well in my town as far as skill goes. I stick by my comment...Canada is an odd market LOL

I have to agree that we don't get the lines that I hear described. We usually charge $5 & $8 for less expensive events and $5 & $10 for the fairs where we have a large booth fee to recoup.

We charged $3 and $5 at the last event we did.. still wasnt crazy busy. There were moments but it seems that people are holding onto their money more and more even at festivals!! Lots of looky loos though.

At ppf gigs, I charge $6/face & tattoo. That's Southern Alberta though, which is pretty conservative. Quite frankly, there aren't a lot of ppf gigs down this end of Alberta, most are booked events after much networking At the larger events, we do get the stupid crazy lines, 2hrs or more of wait time.

Good luck on your new adventures

Wow Alberta sounds tough! I don't do PPF but just charge per event and my lines are outrageous here in SK. Being fast is for sure an asset here! LOL

In order to work in Canada , you would need some type of visa allowing you to work. You can not legally come here to work, and vice versa, we Canadians can't work in the States without one either. Well legally anyway, and I would not want to try to sneak into a country and lie about what I was doing there!You also need insurance for many events. Although Alberta has the toughest regulations, believe it or not other provinces DO have some regulations. I am on the board of CAFABA, and we are trying to implement some standards for our association regarding health and safety.

Shelley Bellefontaine wrote: . I am on the board of CAFABA, and we are trying to implement some standards for our association regarding health and safety.

Awesome, because everyone knows that the more rules there are, the more fun you have!

With the input of CAFABA in the province of Alberta, it has already made a huge difference. The health & safety regs are changing for the better and address the needs and requirements of the professional, while also addressing the volunteer who buys their paint at the dollar store. It has been a real benefit, and frankly, a necessity.

Thank you Criss , could not have said it better myself. I don't think there was any need for any one to get sarcastic with me. CAFABA is trying to UNITE the Canadian artists, so that we can elevate what we do as a profession, so that those who want to hire a face painter , will know the difference between hiring a professional, and someone who has picked up some stuff at michaels and watched a few you tube videos!
FACE has done the same for the English painters as well as there are FACE members in Canada and the States , they will tell you that it does mean something to belong to an association with standards

I dont think watching a few you tube videos should be a bad thing should it? We all learn from different sources whether it be tattoo mags, classes, or others work or youtube videos etc. Im going on 5 years now and I still enjoy watching you tube videos and I buy brushes from micahels! Does that make me any less of a professional face painter? This is not typed in an insulting tone at all, just a topic I find comes up more and more about whether or not you qualify as a professional face painter. I think if you have painted for a few years and have worked some larger events and carry professional quality supplies and know how to use them its all good. Do you have to compete world wide at competitions to be classified as a professional? What makes one a professional face painter is really all I am trying to figure out as it seems to keep coming up. Who is this person who deems you professional or amateur what qualifications must you have to be a professional? Once again because this is typed it could come off snarky and that is not at all my intention here... just wondering what it really takes in all your guys eyes to be a "professional".

This is not meant to be snarky either here is what I consider makes someone a professional
1) proper training , there are TONS of opportunities for training now:)Like any other profession, one needs to educate themselves and invest in training. The "I can't afford it " does not fly with me, I did not have much$ when I first was trained by someone. But before I started working as a professional. I made sure I had some workshops under my belt.I honestly don't think Youtube should be all some one does for training.You can't learn properly when someone can't correct you and show you what you are doing wrong.NOTHING substitutes hands on training!
2) a proper professional kit ( yes I buy my brushes at Michaels too ), I am talking about those $20 pallets of snaz. Now I am not saying you have to have as big of a kit as some( I am a tackle tart!!) But you should have proper sponges( not the kind bought at the $ store that are often latex)You can even get creative with sponges, Shannon uses tackle sponges which look EXACTLY like the more expensive kind!You should have everything in your kit be professional products meant for use on the skin
3)A professional painter has insurance, yes it costs money, but it is part of running a business
4)A professional should also be able to paint at LEAST 10 full faces an hour, they should be able to know how to blend and to do proper brush strokes. They should be able to do the top faces ( ie, butterfly , monsters, princesses , tigers etc) and do them well
5) most importantly a professional charges for their services, now I am not saying NEVER do volunteer work, we all have causes that are near and dear to our hearts.However many just constantly give it away for free, they think it will gain them experience and exposure. It does nothing to help elevate the profession in general, and it alienates the other painters in your area, which can be a valuable resource to help you in your business.

Just my 2 cents, I know many will disagree with me

there's nothing wrong with Snaz and the best professionals can paint a masterpiece better than the Mona Lisa with 3 colours. My first two years of face painting were done with ONE Snazaroo walkaround palette and the refills that came with it. I still use only snazaroo and I carry less than 20 colours. I'm sure that what you really meant to say was that they shouldn't be using craft paint or cheap halloween makeup, but Snaz IS professional grade face paint, especially for those that are allergic to the others.

I'm not saying that I totally disagree with you... there is a minimum level of competence required. Training should be sought out as soon as possible, but as long as you can do a GOOD dog, tiger, butterfly and spider-man, in 5 minutes per face or less... you'll do ok to start. I took my first training workshop about 6 to 8 months after I started painting. It definitely helped my work a lot, but I don't think that you need to get that training before you can start charging for your work or considering yourself a professional.

Not meaning to be snarky either, I completely agree with Perry. I have been an artist for 25 years, and I have never taken a FP class. I am self taught. In history, there are many, many great self-taught artists of all genres. I have had my business for over a year, and very much consider myself a professional. I, too, started with Snaz and will tell anyone that it is a great paint, starter or no. I am constantly learning, whether it be this forum, Youtube, or getting ideas from clip art, or everyday life, and constantly practice to keep my skill up. I think the lines get blurred with "professional/volunteer" all the time.

To me, if you have this as a business, are generating a revenue, and do all the things required (insurance, continuing education, cards, photos, sanitation and hygiene, etc) versus the occasional church/civic event that they ask you to do twice a year bc someone said you paint good, you are a professional. That person might be in the future, but they haven't developed to that point yet.

Now, that being said, I think that just like in any business there are higher levels... not meaning skill, so I am not insulting anyone here, please understand that. What I mean is, I am a professional face painter, I am also a house wife, and a mom. My main income does not come from FP'ing, nor am I known world wide, I don't teach other FP'ers, have experience in film, or authored books, and I am just starting to tinker with body painting. There are FP'ers out there on a whole other level out there than I am... a whole other realm of experience. Rather than looking down at myself and saying I am not "professional" enough, I aspire to learn from them.

I do think we need to remember that there are people out there (and on here) that are just starting. They look up to many of the artists on this forum, so we need to be careful of our language (and type is often read with a whole other connotation than what it was meant) so that we inspire rather than insult. I am not pointing fingers, so please don't let any feathers get ruffled. I just think to how many times I look at the amazing art on this forum, and think, "Wow, I wish I could do that." or "I would be happy following her around to wash her brushes, just so I could learn from her". I have never been around such an inspiring place, and so generous of people. I know that everyday I am here, professional or not, I learn something. I would hope that everyone feels that way on the forum.

I am NOT knocking Snazzaroo in any way! Many people use it and LOVE it. It IS a professional product!What I am saying that just because someone goes into Michaels and pays $20 for the little pallet and watches a few youtube videos does not make them a professional. I also want to encourage others to be all that they can be, Yes there are some out there who have the talent , and are self taught. I believe they are the exception and not the rule. I always am inspired by others , and always want to continue to learn and grow I am NOT the painter I was when I first started. I am just one of those who did not consider my self a professional until I had some workshops under my belt and was competent enough with my blending and brushstrokes so that I could execute the standard faces well. I am NOT saying "like a master" Heck VERY few can do that I will continue to help those that ask for it, and do all that I can to help the general public to accept us a profession, to raise the standards . I am always learning, not just from those who are much better than I , but feel I can learn from a beginner as well. There is always ideas to share.
I knew that not everyone would agree with me , but there are those that do. I am NOT trying to bash new painters. Just saying it takes a lot of hard work and yes some investment if you want to be good at this. I am just not someone who agrees with the " hey I am going to be a face painter, and I am going to start next week", but more of a practical person who will let people know the realities, and offer my help. I have helped many, and all for FREE, because I believe in paying it forward.The problem with forums is that you can not talk directly , and see the person, so you miss a great deal of communication there and can be misinterpreted. Anyone who has ever met me will tell you that i openly help others. It is just my opinion, and that is all that it is , that MOST need some type of training to get started. I see many people saying that someones work is great, when it is not. The only way to grow is by receiving constructive criticism that can help. I am NOT talking by bashing, there is ALWAYS something positive to say, and I always start with that. I do see a lot of work where people do not have the basics down pact, like brush work and sponging.They are out there working, but I would not call them professional. I am one of those that needed to be shown how to do that. I think many out there are like me, they need to see it first hand and be corrected over and over again!It is not as easy as it looks and no I am not saying everyone has to paint like a master to be in business, because most of us are not!I too am a mom, hey a hockey mom at that , who feels grateful that I can do something for a living that I love to do. It has taken me several years to get to the level I am at. Lots lots training , hard work and $ invested in my business. I too am grateful to all those who have helped me and that is why I try to pay it forward

I agree with a lot of what you are saying, and I too try to pay forward when I can...

As a face painter I was self-taught... this was BEFORE the internet, so all I had (other than my training as a make-up artist) was a couple of books - the Grimas book and Making Faces by Sian Ellis-Thomas.

I had the right products as I was using Kryolan Aquacolours in my make-up kit but realizing that there was a specific type of sponge that should be used instead of cosmetic wedges... that was a revelation. And I really didn't twig to the brush techniques UNTIL I took a workshop with Olivier Zegers - that was an A-Ha moment for me. Watching and being shown blew me away and after than my work was never the same.

And... I've been an artist all my life in all sorts of mediums, so while there are certainly aspects that transfer to face painting there are others that need adapting. One doesn't necessarily follow the other.

As to being a professional... I think it does need to be looked at as an investment in training and kit. Sure, you can start out small, but, if you are going to be marketing your services and charging people you need to be able to meet a certain standard. That is part of the reason I am a member of FACE and support it: A minimum standard of skill and ability, as well as liability insurance, and a Code of Conduct.

And... no one is getting rich face painting. Not even the rock stars... travelling and teaching is not really living high off the hog, trust me. If you can diversify, start acting as an agent for others, have a team, book huge profitable events... maybe you can make a living from just this business.

Reality is for most of us, and that includes me, it is a second income... we need the other job(s) to make sure the mortgage is being paid as the make-up/face painting is seasonal and cyclical. Particularly if you like to keep the bills up-to-date and eat at the same time.

My goal is to one day be able to live off what I make as a professional make-up artist... but even the government industry website describes make-up artist as a job where you need to have a second income!!

Okay so I am either a self taught genius or a non professional..LOL Thats what I took from reading all that..hahaha jk. I got hundreds and hundreds of dollars invested in this I think I just bought $300 is rainbow cakes this last little bit alone..LOL I use mehron, wolfe fx, snazaroo, and now tag since I got into this forum.

I am sensitive to comments on here... i need a thicker skin I think. People generalize too much. I have been painting for 5 years I think I can hold my own and yes I watch you tube... its fun to watch! No classes for me... although I wouldnt mind if it was the Wolfe brothers or Rebecca Anthony taking a couple the rest of the names... I dont know much about. Second job you bet I work for the school board now it pays the bills. But lets face it it isnt my dream job so I keep plugging away face painting as art is actually a fun job and professional or not I keep booking events! Thanks for all your opinions... I may not agree with them all but I appreciate you taking the time for speaking your minds )

Well, look up the definition of professional in the dictionary. There's a bunch of them, and whether one is professional or not is a pretty pointless debate. The most succesful, well known and well travelled clown I know is also the crappiest clown I know. Does that make him a professional?

I went through a period where I was involved in clown politics...and I swore I'd never be a "joiner" again. (Clowns Canada, while still in the picture, has seriously failed at their mission statement....and doesn't care.)

Fact is, you can't legislate art. Fine, you want to set some kind of standard, and I'm all for it. Only problem is that most people that have made it their business to "raise the bar of entry", no doubt were looking in the mirror when they decided approximately how high that bar should sit.

And, I'm sorry....I always question the motives of people that want to see more rules in place for this stuff. Its usually either A: to somehow elevate themselves, or B: Get a bigger slice of the pie by trying to weed out lesser artists or C: They just like sticking their nose into everyone else's business. And of course there's D: All of the above....which is most of them.

Either way you slice it, if the rule makers win, then there's one extra level of rules/red tape/crap you have to deal with. And this business is tough enough to make a buck at thanks very much. I've been fortunate enough to be able to use clowning and painting as my household's primary source of income, and I don't need any more hassles. I'm too busy hustling gigs.

Besides, most of the customers on the other end of the phone don't really give a rat's patoot whether you're in such and such organization or not. You might be able to convince someone that belonging to such an orgainzation means something....but most clients aren't gonna care.

To the newbies: Learn your craft well, however you have the means to, and go out and do it as often as possible. Then find ways to get paid to do it. Don't get hung up in politics, or arguing definitions, and certainly don't take to heart anything anyone says on a message board....particularly one devoted to some sort of art.

Focus on the craft itself, and good things will happen.

I think I got a lot more out of my "professional" training because I had been out in the field doing it FIRST. Going into the workshops without anything under your belt will more than likely just leave you missing out on some really important stuff that you need for REAL while you are focusing on something that you THINK you might need. And nothing teaches SPEED like a free to the public event and a lineup 50 kids long LOL