riotheclown | Did some more face painting!

Sometimes I have to start out by painting something on my arm to get the ball rolling. This time I had Daughter and Son-In-Law volunteer so that really helped. Before I knew it the line had grown and I was back to full speed again.

Fortunately there was lots of things for the kids to do at the street party so no one got too impatient. At one point D. pitched in by doing the prep for some of the more involved faces, blocking in the colour. (She could do it all really. She is very "crafty".) They gave me a tent so I was out of the sun and I took a couple of breaks. I don't mean to put too much importance on the whole face painting thing but I do really enjoy it, Iget in the zone, the sort of calm focus that I find when I am painting anything.

I tell each kid that I want to come as close to what they imagine as I can, that they can be the art director. I love to see a kid really feel they can communicate that and enjoy the result.

I like kids, they are, even at their worst, a positive force. One little guy came back to have his face redone after I had packed up the stuff. I could not "unpack" and I told him, "I know you are disappointed. That is hard but you can handle it. I know it. You are going to feel better." He wailed a bit. I got the impression his mom would have slipped me a $20 to open up my kit but I was on my way. He did manage to get distracted by a water pistol that I helped him fill up from the drinking water. Soon we were both laughing as he chased me around the yard shooting at me. We were friends again.

I was there for four hours! As I said, I did get a few more breaks than usual and some help. They had a parade of bikes that the kids decorated and I was offered a hot dog and a beer at the end. I was exhausted but happier than I have been for a while!