My fun face painting life

[Sherry]

I got a call the other day that made me think what an exciting job we have.  They called about an event for our local governor's race.  They were with the Republican candidate and wanted to know if I would do face painting "in kind".  I wasn't sure what that meant, but thought they were probably asking me to paint for free.

I asked what "in kind" was and she said that was their way of asking me to donate my time.  I said I really couldn't because I was a staunch democrat, but if they paid me, I'd gladly paint at their event.  To my surprise she said she was glad I had a political opinion and that she still wanted me to come out, because she loved my work.  She wanted to pay me and in fact hire 3 artists!  She had to see if she could get it o.k.'d.

I got off the phone, thinking, wow, what fun!  I've seen these ads on t.v. and even though it was the other side, I still thought it'd be fun and exciting to be a part of the political campaign.  What a crazy face painting life I have... crazy, GOOD!  

I didn't end up hearing back from her, but I still thought I'd post this, because the possibilities are out there and that's one of the things I love about face painting as a job.. you get to be a part of fun and exciting things.   

[smoothdansa]

I know what you mean.  I've been playing with the idea of doing airbrush tattoos for a few years now.  I finally have the compressor and air brush with some crappy stencils but hadn't officially used them yet.  Well I hear that someone needs an airbrush artist for their event and I email them.  Turns out the local museum of natural science was having a pre-launch party for one of the exhibits and wanted someone to come out and do airbrush tattoos.  I ended up getting the job and doing the tattoos.  Those people thought I was a "professsional" when really that was my first time actually doing them and I got alot of tips as well as getting paid very well from the museum.  This is one of the reasons it's my only job.  You never know when you'll get a gig or where it will lead you.

[twinkletattoos]

Way to go on standing your ground. So many people just expect things for free.
We recently did a big event for a political group on Maui too. My husband gave them a deep discount because they ordered 3 of our most expensive Bouncy Castles for the entire day. His thinking was at least I don't have to drive to 3 different locations. After cleaning the castles he said he won't be giving that deep of a discount next time as it was a lot of extra cleanup for him...he worked harder for less.

Every day is a learning experience and each day we are lucky to meet new folks & challenges.

[Sherry]

This is one of the reasons it's my only job.  You never know when you'll get a gig or where it will lead you.

Yeah, that's what I find so exciting about this kind of work.

Way to go on standing your ground. So many people just expect things for free.

I'm amazed at how many calls I get asking me to work for free.  I received another one yesterday.  I was talking to a friend of mine about it and he put it in perspective for me.

  I hope I didn't already ask you this, but do people call and ask for you to donate bouncy castles for free?

[twinkletattoos]

Yes and they don't understand why we say no so they try to talk us into it by saying how beneficial it will be to our "future" business. Mostly schools & churches ask for free.

We also get a lot of people asking us to price match. I read on a forum a quote like "Our competitors do not meet our quality & standards, therefore we can not match their price." We've been using this in our spiel for a few months now and it really stops people from being so pushy about it. We will book it at full price--we stay very busy.

There are a lot of overhead costs for our biz that people don't even think about--insurance (over 3k per year), storage, cleaning, maintenance, and labor. Those things are heavy 150 to 400lbs and people just think that you can throw one up in just a few minutes and take it back down and that is all--unfortunately some of our competitors do only that, but we clean and sanitize our units every single time it is used. It's exhausting & rewarding  :)LOL!

[Party Picassos Facepainting]

No matter what silly questions people ask, I still enjoy this more than graphic arts. Did that and still do for over twenty years. Big organizations, companies and such fill my life with constant little changes that go on forever. Face Painting is sooooo much more fun. I don't have to deal with BIG people, mostly just kids. And that's the way I like it!

[Maria]

Hi Twinkle, i am here trying to place an order from your site but they wont take my card. 

[Alison]

What I like about this story, Sherry, is that you spoke your mind.  Not just that 'you have to be paid for your work, the same as everyone else who goes to work', but also because you spoke your mind about your Political views.  Sometimes in my life, I had gotten so ridiculously into People-Pleasing that I have to remind myself that I don't have a human-boss.  I have opportunities to speak my opinions, and I don't want to be afraid to do them. 

BTW, I had been a Republican for as long as I understood what that meant.  But now that I'm understanding Religion, grace and mercy and all those things that I want for myself, I'm questioning my Political views. 

[Sherry]

Looking back, it probably wasn't the best thing to say, but sometimes the words come rushing out without thinking.   

[Alison]

Good for You, Sherry. 
I spent too much time in my life
Editing myself.  To make myself liked?  Whatever. 
Like, am I liked if nobody knows me???

To just let the words rush out ~
wow.  That shows confidence and high self-esteem,
which I think you do deserve.