A little over nine years ago I had a vision and then came the a plan of where I was going with my faerie business. Having a background in Art, Craft and Design, I decided that it was only natural to incorporate face art, after all I did makeup during my years as a Hairdresser at times so I had the expertise to go the next step. At the end of my first year and a transistional period of adding and removing product from my stall, I decided to buy my first palette of face paints. I remember being at Balnarring Race Course Market here in Melbourne being told that I just wouldnt be allowed to face paint till near the end of the Market, as they said that they really didnt think anyone was any good at it. Ps. Mind you the people running the market now have been converted! So near the end of the market day I came out with my paints. I had three children who lined up that day in November and it was hot too. I was a little apprehensive about it all as I had only practiced on some children living across the road from my house. At the time, (and I still do it to this day, have my back to the audience) I was a little worried as I just couldnt hear anyone talking or paying any attention to me or my work. Thinking back I remember feeling quite put out, however, when I had finished these gorgeous three very young children, I thanked them and turned around to see around 80 or more people all standing behind me. Honestly, you could have heard a pin drop! I actually nearly fainted with shock! I had stopped the flow of market visitors. They had all congregated around my stall to watch. All of a sudden,feeling very over awed, they all cheered and clapped. Can you imagine how I felt? A feeling of pride that I had actually achieved what I had planned to do and was now on my journey, my mission. I was overwhelmed and felt so humble. Since that time, I had a book solely for the purpose of recording the childrens names in and for me to realize just how many childrens faces I really did paint over a time. Well by somewhere near 8 years on, I had painted something like 6000 childrens faces, some an amazing amount of children. This total is with the extra gigs I do outside the market place, including Faerie Parties and Corporate work I do. I am astounded and overwhelmed by peoples compliments and honesty. Ohhh and dont forget the childrens honesty either. I thank all these wonderful parents who without their following I probably wouldnt have found my purpose or mission in life. I thank the children too for without them I just wouldnt have felt so fulfilled as an Earth Mother. Faerie Godmother? Well I dont know about that, but as I say I love 'my children.' I cant think of another person who was so sad in not having any children and now to be blessed with so many. It appeased the Gods...and within. I am Blessed, there is no doubt about it. Each and every child is a wonderful example of beauty, grace and honesty. Even the ones with a glint in their eye. We have lots of hugs and kisses and we all laugh alot and have lots of fun let me tell you. I have been known to tell a story or too to add interest while they all wait patiently. My intuition or my Spirituality is one that helps me through the toughest calls of patience. If you come to watch me work, you will soon discover my way of doing it. I really dont think others have what I have and I dont really know why it happens, but when those children sit on the chair, I tell them what I am about to do after they tell me what they would like to be. I just say put your hands on my knees. Well it is within an instant, when you watch that these gorgeous little children go into a minny trancelike state. Well I really didnt know that I did it. A few years ago I thought it was happening but I really didnt know for sure, till my Spiritual mentor came and watched me work. She told me what was happening and other people had said the same thing too. It was then that realised, these children had to 'come out' of that state very carefully and ever so gently. People are amazed at how good their children are at sitting perfectly still and not saying one word to anyone during this time. I will say it again I am Blessed.
So now its nearly 15 years past and I was only going to do this for a short time, say two years. During this time I have travelled around Melbourne and country Melbourne and have met some wonderful people and children.
My first children some fifteen years ago still come to me, not for face painting but visit to have a chat.Some are 20+ year olds!!! I have girls (stall holders children) that have helped me set up and one, in particular who has sat with me often, so much so, she as a 11 year old was asked by her school to face paint the children at their school Fair. Well she was commended for her fantastic faces and the teachers at the school said 'Where did you learn to paint like that?' She said, 'Well I sit beside a Faerie who face paints all the time and by watching I remember how to do it. She is a fantastic face artist' She is nearly 14+ years old now: she sits with me and is like one of my own.
I am self taught but when you have parents that are highly creative then if you are lucky it is passed on.
I was never taught face painting at all.
I have a queue longer than your arm for potential students for classes mainly women. Well, maybe when I hang up my paint brushes I might teach. Shall I say, which is a real ego boost for me, that a friend (fellow stall holder) who travels all over the World and Australia, said to me I was 'the best face painter in the world.' For me that is the greatest compliment anyone could bestow on me or anyone, but it just doesnt rest with him either. Many have told me. If you are told over and over and over again, I guess you have to believe it.
My past and present clients are:-
At Home Childrens Faerie Parties
Brumby's (Specialty Bread Company)
Bunnings
Councils: Mornington and Yarra
Cranbourne Cemetery...yes true
Telstra- Dandenong
Melbourne solicitors
Australian Farmyard Friends
BHP-now BlueScope Steel- Hastings Melbourne 2002/03/04/05
Information Centre- Mornington
Australia Day Celebrations
Special Faerie Days-Mornington
Adults special Birthday parties
Kindergartens
Schools
Special Fairs in and around Melbourne
Red Hill Agriculturaland Melbourne Show two years running and the R.A.C.V
Also in Sept 2005 cameoed on Tv's 'Getaway'I have been on the front pages of the local newspapers in Mornington, Hastings and Stonnington (Malvern) as well as photographed and interviewed for Tourist brochures for both here and Japan. Also at Mornington Race Course Family Fun Race days 2004-05 (2006) Phoenix Park Library, a solo exhibition of selected artistic work during the month of October 2005. Exhibited for two yrs at Red Hill Art and Mt Eliza primary school's art show for 3 yrs
The list is endless.
Early Bookings are essential.
My next wish is to be invited interstate or overseas. New Zealand would be great for the ongoing store promotions with Brumbys The Bread People.
Oh and by the way,I guess you wonder why I call it Face Art? Well I dont think I am just a face painter I am an artist and there in lies the difference. There are face painters and face painters and artists and artists.
I have never had one photo of my work on any board where I face paint- nothing yet I am busy. The motto is word of mouth is the best way to advertise.
Well hopefully soon I will get clicking and add some new photos here on these pages for you to see. If you have a wonderful photo/s of your child or children whose face I painted or a faerie party I attended I would be pleased to add it/them to this site.
Please report back and tell me what you think, I would be really thrilled to hear from you any positive remarks and Oh, please sign my Guest Book on the previous page. Thank you and many Blessings Faerie Annie
