Oh My! I hope I haven't offended anyone. I didn't realize that some members here paid to be a member. I also forgot to fill out my profile so it's done now so you may have a better idea of who I am.
You better be sitting down and get a cup of coffee while you're at it. This came out kind long. I think it's great to have forums where people who are face/body painting as a business/career can come together and share ideas about products, conventions, learning tools (books, videos), instructors, customers, clients, problems, and solutions. A place where a difference of opinion is just that & can be expressed and respected. I think the more committed one is to their craft, the more they want to find out and learn. Whether it's from forums, attending conventions, taking workshops, travelling, and chatting with others in the industry. And I've found out that this does indeed include spending money for products, teaching tools, travel, professional instruction and researching information to help me learn. It is also shown by practicing and improving one's techniques and skills so that the customer and client can get the best you can give. I don't know how someone can become a good face-painter for free. I think there are some basic requirements that should be met for any face painter such as using proper safe products and methods. I may be naive, but I expect that everyone who has found and joined a forum such as this is a professional who is interested in ethics and conduct; whether it is set out explicitly in writing or not on the site; or is something that has to be proven to join the forum. There are several forums people are free to find on the internet. In some countries, membership in an Association shows a level of professionalism, experience, and ethics. I could be wrong, but I don't think there is that understanding either in the United States or Canada, yet, by the general public and clientelle that standards exist for face painters. So what you get is a mix of everyone from DIY-ers to Masters. There are people who paint on the street corner at the fringe with only a busker's license; who knows what brands of paint they use or training they've had, if any. And there are those who have painted, perfected their skill, and their designs for more than a decade or two. There are also the clients who will recognize and pay a proper fee for a great face-painter, and those who will take anyone who can slap on something colorful for $20 at a birthday party. So there is an education that must be learned by those who we wish to service, in order for them to appreciate the skills required to be a great face or bodypainter. I tend to feel that those interested in facepainting for the money (LOL) will find out there's more to it than that. Those who are interested in it because they love what they do, they love the creative process, and they love making children smile will succeed above those who do not have the same positive intentions. The Law of Attraction will play a part in the success and failure of any person's choice of discipline. If the industry grows, attracting positive like-minded artists, that is surely going to benefit everyone who has a professional attitude, ethics and standards. And the clients who pay us to paint will learn that this is indeed a serious craft and will continue to support and promote face painting to others. The cream will rise to the top so there need not be fear of losing out on opportunities if you are genuinely committed to your craft. Those who try to sidestep the learning curve, the wall of hard knocks, and paying one's dues altogether, will eventally reveal themselves and be unsuccessful. But that is not to say that we cannot or should not help each other, learn from each other's mistakes, and successes in order for us all to lift facepainting to the highest level we can all reach. Well, that's my thoughts tonight anyway. It is late, so I do apologize if I have stepped on any toes with my wordy post. Time for my cat nap. =^.^= --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Face Painting and Body Art Association." This is a PG-13 forum dedicated to the discussion of Face Painting and Body Art. This group is provided for the benefit of all and as such is not moderated. Our goal is to promote open and unrestricted communication between people interested in face painting and body art. We hope that you will be courteous to others and try to stay on topic. You are free to offer products or services related to face painting as well. Please address concerns with the original poster before contacting the management. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/fpba-assn -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
