Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Madison.
Hi Shannon, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started working as a face painter in 2023. My daughters helped out with a neighborhood party doing tattoos for kids and it inspired me to look into face painting. I enjoyed painting when I was younger, but found it to be very solitary. Face and body art appealed to me because it was more social and while every face is different, it allowed me to practice and get good at a design with out too much frustration. I also was fascinated at how the same design can look different on different people.
I am a full time Kindergarten teacher and I felt like my experience in working with children and families would also add to my value as a face painter. In early 2023 I took the gift cards from my class and used them to buy some beginner materials. I watched a lot of YouTube videos and found myself excited to practice! I used laminated sheets I made myself and practiced on a few neighborhood kids. By spring, I felt confident that I could do an event and offered to do face painting at a nearby preschool carnival. It was very small but it gave me the confidence I needed. In June, I booked my first paid event.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I feel very lucky. I have had a lot of support and encouragement from family and friends in trying out this new venture.
Learning the business side has been interesting. It was intimidating at first. As a teacher with a psychology and early childhood background, business is not something that I had been interested in previously, but once I realized how much is based on relationships it gave me a different perspective and feeling of capability. I have also had the luxury of building slowly which has allowed me more confidence. I don’t put a lot of pressure on myself to do events or things I don’t feel fully capable of doing well.
The clients I have worked with have been terrific and other face painters I have worked with in the industry have been very helpful and welcoming as well.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a face painter. I have worked private, public and corporate events. I am known for providing a quality face painting experience from your first contact with me about booking through the last kid that sits in my chair at your event. My favorite designs to paint are butterflies and spiders.
I am most proud of a booking I did a few months ago. A woman reached out to ask if I was available to speak over the phone. During our phone conversation, she told me their family was having a birthday party and some of the children that would be attending have autism. She read my bio and felt like I might be a good fit with my education background but wanted to make sure I could meet their needs. The event was a really sweet party with family and friends. I felt honored that she reached out to me and felt comfortable enough with me to have me be a part of their celebration. That experience was really special.
I’m also really proud that I started a business. I am proud that I have grown and improved my skills every year. That is not some thing I would have guessed about myself 5 years ago.
I think what sets me a part from others is that I worked with kids in all my life in a variety of settings. I have been a nanny, a camp counselor, a teacher and I’m a mom who has organized and been to a number of birthday parties and events for kids. I have been the person hiring me and I know how to read a kid. I can manage a line. I can communicate with kids and adults effectively. In addition to that I love what I do! I love practicing and creating and learning new designs. I love getting into a flow at an event. Every face is a new challenge. It is such a fun job and it brings me so much joy!
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I am open to working with anyone!
My website is www.cheekymagicdesigns.com.
You can follow me on Facebook and Instagram @cheekymagicdesigns.com.
Pricing:
- Events are generally $125/hour depending on season and distance
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cheekymagicdesigns.com
- Instagram: @cheekymagicdesigns.com
- Facebook: @cheekymagicdesigns.comdd
