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Thursday, June 1, 2017

Face Painting, Anyone?

We can't take credit for this one.
Brielle became a parrot at Disney World's Animal Kingdom!


























Before I begin my story, I need to set the stage. Brielle's neighborhood is adjacent to elementary school property. The streets teem with kids. They run freely all summer long, visiting from yard to yard, stopping to lunch whenever they see a mom on a porch with a tray of cold drinks and peanut butter sandwiches. Girls, boys, first graders through fifth - it's a happy life!


Brielle has always shown artistic promise. I babysat frequently in her earliest years, making sure she knew how to wield a paintbrush with aplomb. My effort has paid off. Coupled with an entrepreneurial spirit, my granddaughter has since taken up the trade of facial decor, sharing her skill freely with anyone who lines up when word goes out in the 'hood that "Bree is painting faces again!"








Twin cousins were premier customers on the day our little artist cracked open her crafty kit for the first time. Ava requested a cat design; Angeline, her fave - a giraffe. Brielle went to work. When the girls were dismissed, they raced to a mirror. Ava stared, and then declared, "That's not a cat!" Angeline just stared. In silence. But they assured that they'd be back again for more, and so, at that moment, a career was born.

My daughter, Christy, calls me sometimes when Bree decides to hang her shingle. She vividly describes the unfolding scene, sending pictures as she speaks. We can barely contain ourselves. I hear the incessant chime of the doorbell, the chatter of girly voices. The word has gone out. "Bree is painting faces!" Mommy breathlessly apologizes, pausing to tend to two more standing on the porch. They'd like an appointment. They want to see Brielle.








I overhear each prospective client firmly questioned about parental permission before they line up to morph into a "tiger," or a "poodle" or a "polar bear." Not to worry. Brielle handles all of those requests, plus more!

Where moms and dads and grandmas-on-the-phone may see something else, the carefree magic of childhood is reflected in the "cats" and "clowns" reclaiming streets, sand boxes, and swing sets once each client is duly served.













I suppose the goal of the art of theatrical make up is to induce shock and awe. With that in mind, may I invite you to concur that my granddaughter has, indeed, dropped the mic in this pursuit?

17 comments:

  1. I can't wait to do face-painting with my grandchildren (currently 18 months and 6 months).
    Thanks for sharing #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.

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  2. Lol!!! I love it! She's on her way for sure! My oldest grand daughter is an entrepreneur. She's always dreaming up some way to make money. She has started several 'businesses' at the ripe age of 11.

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  3. Oh what fun - and what a clever girl. I've got so much to catch up on - Don had surgery last Friday and is recuperating quickly - feeling great and goes back to work on Monday. Such sweet kids with all their faces painted - a wonderful pastime for all.

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  4. Very talented granddaughter at such a young age. I'm sure she'll have lots of tiny clients in no time at all!
    Have a great weekend J.

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  5. Oh my goodness this is just amazing!! :) I think she must have inheirited a gene or two from someone ha ha
    I can just see her at a fair or craft show down the line as a teenager raking in the money !! Or doing parties. But for now she's just having a blast and doing so well!

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  6. How fun! I have a granddaughter that draws and has sold her artwork to neighborhood children and adults. I love the creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit. Thanks for linking up at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.

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  7. So fun! We often break out watercolor crayons for self tattoos and face painting in the summer.

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  8. She has indeed dropped the mike. :) #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I have shared on social media.

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  9. What a great thing for your granddaughter to share! So much more fun than the lemonade stands my daughters used to set up in the summer. And she's quite the pro at the painting! Love the pics!

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  10. So much fun!! Thank you for sharing at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty

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  11. How inspirational, you go Bree! Thanks Joyce for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared this post.

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  12. I wish I had her talent. I see lots of birthday parties in her future. Thanks for sharing on Sunday's Best.

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  13. Don't they look adorable! I love face painting as much as the kids. Thank you for linking up and sharing with us at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I've shared on social media and hope to see you next month.
    Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond

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  14. I think your granddaughter is doing a fantastic job! All little girls seem to love face painting! My 7 year old granddaughter has just initiated her career in face painting by turning us into cats. Thank you for sharing with us at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I always enjoy reading about your escapades with your grandchildren! Shared on social media.

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  15. What fun, fun, faces! Your granddaughter sure has talent! Thanks so much for sharing at my Party in Your PJs link party!

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  16. What an artist! Although she is so darned cute she should never paint her own face!

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  17. I love this for so many reasons. First, I just think about all those art projects you and see shared and now your protege has launched her own art class that she shares with friends. What a feather in your bonnet. Yes, I can see her face painting at craft fairs, but what I really see is the transition to makeup. She'll have her own YouTube channel explaining to the less experienced how to apply eye shadow. How do I know this? My granddaughter does it. :-)

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