Face painters show skill on human canvas
● Artists love seeing children transformed into characters they desire
Helping children become anything they want to be — even if it is just for a day — are two Gqeberha face painters whose popularity has grown so much, they battle to keep up with the requests.
From superheroes to mermaids and even a request to be a potato, Selmarie Wessels and Jubilee Evans have heard it all.
Evans, 29, owns Jubilant Faces.
Having studied fine art at Nelson Mandela University, her parents always encouraged her to explore her creativity and to be an entrepreneur.
When they lived in Johannesburg, before moving to Gqeberha, her father ran a party business renting out jumping castles.
“They would often get requests for face painting.
“So my dad recommended I start face painting as a way to earn pocket money and bought me my first kit.
“It was just a few colours, three brushes and a plastic cup.”
But the bug bit.
“I started following wellknown face painters and body artists from around the world using YouTube to learn from their tutorials.
“I started painting for kids’ parties on weekends during high school.
“In 2010, with the Fifa World Cup, I started taking face painting seriously and created my brand, Jubilant Faces.
“I’ve been face painting professionally for 13 years now,” she said.
Similarly, Wessels, 39, used online platforms to perfect her skills.
“At the end of 2013 I resigned from my position as bookkeeper at a local accounting firm.
“In January 2014, a client in my portfolio contacted me and asked if I would be interested in doing face painting at her child’s birthday party.
“I was completely blown away by the request, as I had never done anything like that.
“I was surprised and equally confused, so I asked her what on earth made her think of me.
“She said she wasn’t sure why, but she figured she’d ask. So I agreed.
“I literally went and googled ‘how to face paint’, found six basic pictures to copy and off I went.
“Needles to say, I was super nervous but managed to get through a two-hour party.
“The parents were all polite about the results, but the kids really enjoyed it.
“A few months later, another lady from that party hired me, and then another and another.
“It basically grew from there, until 2016, where I was booked up every weekend with two to three parties a day.
“That’s when I realised if this was going to be a thing, I’d better learn to do it properly and set out to find the proper, professional products.”
For Wessels, an accountant at Humewood Golf Club, it’s more of a hobby, though she goes the extra mile with the purple wig she wears to put smiles on children’s faces.
While being a painter with Jubilee Art Studio as Evans’ main business, Jubilant Faces has become a big part of that.
“I work on artistic projects during the week when I’m not face painting.
“I create artworks and have participated in exhibitions.
“I’ve done murals, set design for theatre and backdrops.
“I’ve even created illustrations for a children’s book and sometimes give workshops.
“On the side, I’ve also volunteered for NPOs which are important to me.”
According to Evans, what makes face painting different is the human interaction, the connection, and how temporary it is.
“A canvas doesn’t move or speak.
“It can’t tell you what it wants to be or react to what you’ve created.
“Face painting, on the other hand, requires a steady hand and speed, as most of the time you’re painting a moving target.
“The skill of being able to paint something effective, recognisable and beautiful with speed is what is required, and definitely being able to interact well with people.
“I always see it as an opportunity to create a moment of joy.
“Seeing someone’s reaction is my favourite part.”
She said she loved it when children who she had painted before lit up when they saw her again.
“I love building relationships with long-term clients and being part of their family milestones.
“Children grow up so quickly so being there for their formative years is precious.”
Asked what had been her strangest request to date, she said one child asked to be a potato.
Wessels finds face painting to be different because every canvas is different — no face is the same.
“You can apply the same paint and same design on different kids, and the results will be different.
“The nice thing about doing face paint is that you don’t have to be able to draw, it’s more about the brush techniques.
“But the biggest difference is the expression and joy on that child’s face when they look in the mirror.”
A highlight for Wessels was the first time she painted at an event at Merryvale school.
“It was heartwarming to work with special needs kids.
“The sincere and overwhelming joy on a Down’s syndrome girl’s face, who jumped out of the chair and gave me such a big hug, had me in tears.
“I also had the privilege to paint a few bellies for pregnancy shoots.
“The first time was for a mom who expected a rainbow baby [after a miscarriage] and the baby moved while I was busy painting. It was a total wow moment.
“And of course every time a little boy becomes the character he’s painted as ... That’s what I live for.”
Her strangest request came from an adult but it is not print friendly, she laughed.
“I’ve painted probably half as many adults as kids, and some of those parties get rough!
“There was a lady who went as Ursula from The Little Mermaid to a cosplay event and I had to paint half her body purple.
“I’ve had babies fall asleep with their faces in my hand, I suspect due to the soothing effects of the soft brushes.”
Evans said she was also blessed to be busy with events on Fridays through to Sunday.
“I have had a trainee on board since June and she is doing an incredible job.
“She is an art student at NMU and is fantastic with children.”