Halloween 2012!

You can now make an appointment with me for your Halloween 2012 look. I usually have a studio booked, here on the North Shore, where you can come and see me for your Halloween makeup application. Prices start at $10 for a 10 minute design, up to $100 for individual designs*. Bring your own lashes, contact lenses and prosthetics.

*a hand drawn face chart design based on previously discussed information according to your specifications allowing you to visualize your idea before application. Rehearsal fee applicable if you wish to run through the makeup prior to your event.

Call Melanie to book your Halloween 2012 appointment now!

778-918-5208

Much squealing, jumpy clapping and running around to the neighbour's to  brag spread the joy ensued!

It all started with a goal, set in January of this year, to get in the local paper. I was prepared to accept an uncredited pic of an event I'd painted at of some kids with their faces painted in the background. That'd work, right?

I'd check the 'Bright Lights' section every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday for a glimpse until...wait for it... there's the back of my head at the Party at the Pier! Yes, you can also see the corner of my picture board! Woop?

Well, last Wednesday I was packing up my gear after a successful gig working for the City of North Vancouver outside the local library, when I was approached by a lady with a huge camera. ::ting ting ting:: THE MEDIA ARE HERE! But alas, I was done for the day :(

Cindy Goodman of the North Shore News had been invited to photograph kids attending an event inside the Library to mark the end of their Summer-long kids activities with a magician and cake. She said that she had ended up taking photos of the children who had their faces painted because it was unlike any she had seen before and started asking who was responsible for the face painting.

I explained that I was just finished but that I would be set up at the North Shore Green Market in Lynn Valley Village the following day if she wanted to see me in action! She said she'd try to come along and I thought no more about it other than "Cool, I now have a contact at the paper who likes my work!'

Thursday: I'm setting up at the market, as I do every Thursday from 2-7pm, and I have a little line up starting to form of eager little faces waiting to be painted by the 'face painter lady'. I don't even have time to paint my own face, as I usually paint it when I get there to attract guinea pigs patrons, when Cindy the photographer arrives wanting some pics!

I ask if she would mind waiting until I'd finished with my line (of 2 little girls) and she said "that's fine" and she sits down inside the tent. She's not taking pics yet so I say, "do you mind if I paint my face first as I haven't had a chance to yet?" and so she sits and waits while I hurriedly throw something colourful, yet flattering, on my face. Then she says she's like to photograph me painting a face. Well, of course, where's a kid when you need one? Thankfully my 10 year old was with me that day hoping to hang out with his best friend at her Mom's booth (home baking wins against face painting every time!)

He didn't want to have anything too elaborate as he's 10 - he has a reputation to uphold! Finally though, agreed to a full face Tiger but wasn't happy about it and you could tell in his scowl. I take him to one side and tell him about the paper, what this could do for me and how a smiling kid is priceless and that I would give him anything he wanted etc etc He asked for cash, I offered pizza. He asked for cash and pizza - I relented and he instantly beamed from ear to ear for the next 10 mins while I sponged, blended, lined, dotted and detailed his face all the while being photographed from every angle by the lovely Cindy from the paper. (Isaac should go into modelling, provided there's ample compensation and monetary motivation)

When I  decided I was done with the Tiger design Cindy staged a few photos, close ups and even one of me holding the brush with my left hand, which felt weird and the flash was going off enough to attract a few people to the booth (and envious looks from the other vendors), it was like a photo shoot in my tent!

Cindy said that she wasn't sure when it was going to get in the paper but that it was visually appealing and would, at the least, get in the online gallery. I mentioned that I was painting this weekend for Musart at Deep Cove Daze and she made some notes. Said she'd like to come out again next time I'm painting at a public event on the North Shore and then she left. I was buzzing and bubbling over with excitement but at the same time, aware that I would probably get something small, online, next month...

My mind. Blown!

Two days later, just in time for Deep Cove Daze (Musart were happy with the free advertising) and what a shot! I'm still receiving congrats from local businesses, colleagues in the industry and getting retweeted and shared by clients who want to give me a shout out. So thank you Cindy from the paper for spending time with us at the market and for everyone who has supported me and helped make my dream a reality!

Next up - Press release in a Provincial paper! Woot woot! - that's me blowing my own trumpet! ;)

Photo Cindy Goodman

YES! I am finally able to offer

Glitter Tattoos use skin-safe body glue and cosmetic grade glitter to create beautiful and colourful tattoos wherever you want them!

Glitter tattoos are waterproof and can last over a week if you look after them!  Ideal for entertaining older siblings who have grown out of face painting and balloon twisting! Perfect for Bachelorette parties, Casino parties and Vegas themed parties! Great for outdoor concerts and festivals, night clubs, swim teams and they will last, even in the pool!

My new kit is small and portable, and I can work just about anywhere. I have hundreds of stencils to choose from, and a veritable rainbow of glitter colours to customize your look! 

You could even provide me with a stencil of your choice to use at your event such as a company logo or lettering.

Host a Glitter Tattoo Party or add it to my current Face & Body Painting services at your event in the Lower Mainland! 

Contact me today for rates and availability.  

I'm updating from my phone and it's great! Here's some shots of some painting I got to do today. I'm so pleased I spent my time. What a luxury! My dear friend allowed me to practise some girly designs on her and her beautiful daughter! X

I got to paint at some great family parties too in February and March. Met some really lovely people and had a blast. I hope you like these. More to come in the gallery and more about the Olympics too soon x

Hello. I know it's been ages since I last posted and for that I apologise. I've been working almost every weekend since I posted in Feb. SO much has been going on what with the Vancouver Winter Olympics and my birthday. I've been getting ready for the Annual Seycove auction at the end of March and the International Make-up Artists Trade Show in April not to mention a visit from my folks too. I have lots of stories to tell but will save them for next time. For now, here's some photos of my experiences over the last 5 weeks. Until next time

Mel

I am so excited - it’s amazing how it has become a real part of my family’s vocabulary. We have the obligatory flag on the car, a poster in our front window and of course, all five of us have the mittens! 

I am happy to announce that I will be face painting at the 'Paint The Town Red' event to welcome the Olympic Torch when it arrives at Lynn Valley Village Plaza on Wednesday 10th February. I will be there from 10am until 1pm painting young and old with images of Maple Leaves, mascots and Inukshuks and anything else that people might want on the day. The Torch will have travelled for 104 days across the whole of Canada on it’s journey to light the Olympic Cauldron on the 12th to mark the start of the Games. I will also be painting at the same location on Sunday 14th Feb as part of ‘Valley Fest’, a 17 day celebration of the Olympic Spirit for the people of Lynn Valley with huge LED screens broadcasting highlights of the day’s sporting events as well as food, beverages and other entertainment for all members of the family. 

In preparation for these events I have been practicing my Olympic themed paintings as well as some that are a bit more ‘out of the box’! Using the blue and green graphic logos as inspiration and also the pink Cultural Olympiad logo to create faces that are a bit different. Face painting is such a great activity to have at a sporting or community event. By having your face painted, you feel included in the festivities and it acts almost like a mask, encouraging you to lose a bit of your inhibitions and cheer, dance, celebrate without feeling silly as it’s the spirit of the event that unites people and that’s a feeling I want to promote!

I hope I get to see some of you at the Lynn Valley Village Plaza. Bring your friends and families and enjoy this special time for Canada and the World! I am donating 50% of my fee back to the event as this was something I really wanted to be involved with. Talk soon and check back in regularly for the latest photos of my experiences in the gallery.

Belly photo shown as an example.