Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Roberts.
Hi Amanda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my face painting journey almost 8 years ago. Up until that time I had worked a variety of jobs from teaching art, ministry, caregiving, ABA therapy assistant, and cookie making. I have 2 degrees from the University of Texas: Rehabilitation Studies and Studio Ceramics. I was on track to be an art therapist, but life took a few detours after college. In 2019, I was a stay at home mom by choice, but looking for a creative outlet and an opportunity to bring in a second stream of income for my family. I began praying this specific prayer, and told a few close friends what I was looking for. Within a few months, my dear friend Lisa told me about a friend of hers who owned a successful face painting business. To be honest, it sounded a little crazy, but also exciting. At the time, we did not have a lot of extra cash lying around to pour into a new business venture, but we took a chance—I bought my supplies, paid for training, and the rest is history. While I could have never imagined this would be my answer to prayer, God doesn’t make mistakes, and He knows exactly what we need. This is truly a dream job.
Today, I stay busy year around, contract other artists to work with me, and along the way picked up balloon twisting. I am able to homeschool my children and work a job I love. It’s a joy to celebrate with so many people!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For the most part, it has been a wonderful journey. I will say, when I first started training, it took a while for things to click. I think most people think something like face painting will just be a breeze to pick up and learn–especially if you’re already a creative. But The strokes and canvas are quite different. Not to mention speed is a huge factor if you want to be a successful and versatile artist. Kids wiggle and sweat and talk, unlike a canvas, piece of pottery or paper. So while one may be an impeccable artist on paper or another medium, painting a full face tiger on a moving target in less than 3 minutes is something entirely different.
Another challenge can be the ebb and flow of the work. While I work year round, the Spring and Fall are my busiest seasons. So learning to ride that wave can be challenging while homeschooling, and taking care of my family.
It’s also an industry that can be undervalued. I get countless requests to offer my services and time for free or for charity. While I believe in giving back and regularly do to causes that are important to me, this is how I help to support my family, It’s not just a hobby. It’s also more of an investment than most might think. My current face painting kit contains about $500-$600 worth of product in it. That’s not even including marketing, table and chairs, lighting, signage, travel expenses, insurance, etc. Balloon twisting is an additional cost with product constantly needing to be replaced.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As with any industry, face painting has evolved over the years. I’m very grateful I came into the world of face painting when and how I did. While you can learn anything from YouTube or TikTok these days, nothing beats a real, live, in person teacher. I am very fortunate to have gotten my start with Veronica of Fancy Faces. She is a top tier artist and I am grateful to have learned from her, and now call her friend.
I pride myself in whimsy, flowy designs that I can paint quickly without losing the quality. I’ve always been an artist. Sketching and painting from an early age, I went onto study art at UNT. While I’ve historically referred to myself as a “jack of all trades, master of none”, I’ve always enjoyed creating and learning new techniques. My style has always been abstract and symbolic. In true to myself fashion, I follow the same approach in my face painting. I’m usually aiming to capture the essence of a subject or theme instead of the exact object.
I pride myself on my detailed line work and speed. In my opinion, these are qualities that together, set one apart in the face painting world. Speed allows me to adapt to any setting or crowd. I know I can paint 12-15 full face, detailed designs in an hour at a birthday party, but I can also confidently paint 25-30 simpler, yet quality designs in an hour for a busy school festival.
Any big plans?
Right now I’m in a sweet spot with my business. Fully booked for the most part, and confident in my flow and style. But I believe one should always be seeking to grow and improve. There is always room for improvement, always more to learn. So I continue to learn new techniques, try out new materials, and grow my marketing abilities. In the future, I hope to expand by building a team of artists who regularly work with me and carryout the quality, speed and friendliness I value in myself.
Pricing:
- Hourly rate ranges from $125-$150/hr, per artist
- 2 hour minimum booking
- Estimated 10-15 face/hr for small events
- Estimated 20-30 faces/hr/artist for larger events
- Combo service bookings available (Example: face painting & balloon twisting)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bright.as.the.sun.events/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightAsTheSunEvents/
