May 1, 2017

Meet Kathy Rollwage of Merry Heart Face Painting & More in Arlington

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Rollwage.

Kathy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I began painting at my childhood church, after a deacon saw me drawing on the chalkboard. I had only done one painting project in High School and so Face Painting was something I had not even thought of – or heard of. Several years later, I decided to pursue face painting to make some extra money. I had been face painting and working full-time for a few years, when my husband suggested I stop working and do the face painting full time.

I have been blessed with many repeat customers and new clients, so I have now an entire team and have added balloon art, glitter tattoos and henna to our lineup.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Managing staff has probably been the most difficult. You are not there with them, so you are counting on each of them to take the data that they are sent (via email and text) and do all the things you would do for the client.

Communication of these expectations and their receiving and acknowledging these are by far, more difficult.

I’ve also had some health issues over the last couple of years, that have kept me from working of gigs, so I’m not getting “out in the field” as much, but I am keeping my team busy – especially in the spring.

Merry Heart Face Painting & More – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Merry Heart Face Painting & More is known not only for the art talent, but our dealing with the children at each event. We have received a number of 5 star ratings from our accounts and almost all point out how much we show our love for children.

Most if not all of my team, is also able to paint just about anything – not just tigers or butterflies.

We are more than artists – we are a professional and polite team of talented artists.

We use only FDA approved professional face paint and cosmetic grade glitter.

We arrive 30-60 minutes ahead.

We make contact with the client ahead of the event to discuss details and at the same time give the client confirmation that we are on top of things.

We can bring our own tables and chairs (and usually even our own water.

We do our best to take photos of each child and share those with the client after the event! I can even send to a local Walgreens for prints.

We want the host/hostess to have a fun party and we do our best to take the worry out of it.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success, is being a blessing to a client that has hired us and as a result to hear a good review or kind words about our artistry.

We hope to hear that our artwork was awesome, but also that they noticed the extra care and attention we gave to the whole process from the retainer to the photos.

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