Appreciated Customers

I wish little Tiana was reading this post. Well, maybe she will, someday.

Tiana is probably almost 2-years old. She and her Mom stopped for Face Painting and a Caricature Balloon with me in Central Park today (well, yesterday - it's just after midnight that I got here to post).

I painted a Butterfly on Tiana's Face. Then she asked for one on her knee. I painted a butterfly on her left knee.

Then a whole big class of older kids showed up. They all wanted Caricature Balloons too. I couldn't leave them waiting forever, so when Tiana indicated that she wanted another butterfly on her other knee, I gave her a quick butterfly on her right knee too. Her turn was certainly up - she was only officially entitled to the one on her face - that's what her Mom paid for. And her Mom understood. Tiana's Mom was telling her that they had to go now.

But Tiana would have nothing to do with it. She really enjoyed being in my chair. A real little girl, I enjoyed playing with her too. But this is work, of course. I am there to earn a living. I finally helped her Mother by telling Tiana that I would be there all afternoon - that I'd still be there if she came back later.

They didn't come back. I'm sure her Mom had plenty of things to do. And frankly, if I was busy or tired, it would have been an imposition to be expected to give unending attention to one small customer. Our relationship was at work - artist/client.

But I understand that Tiana's short-term attachment to me was real heart. The real thing. Just because she's little, and she doesn't understand that I was only there because I needed money - that doesn't mean that the feelings aren't real. I wish I gave that little girl a hug before she left.

Little children (and many adults too) are so in touch with their hearts. We don't need the labels to tell us who to love. I try to bring joy and uplifting spirits, empowerment and appreciation to people who haven't given me reason not to do so. I'm uplifted and so grateful when they give it back. This post is to Tiana
and all the other 'Tiana's' that are part of my life.
You're so important to me. I value you forever.

For instance, I remember another little girl - from many years ago. She was about 5-years old. Talking to a slightly older boy - perhaps her brother. I met her at a Bat Mitzvah upstate - I had been hired to draw Caricatures there. Here's what happened.

Always playing my edge, always trying new things, I had decided that the colors looked wilder, and the pictures looked more exciting, if I let the color just sweep right out of the lines. From the Caricature right into the background.

There I was - happily drawing on and entertaining the people who had gathered round. And from behind me, I hear the little boy say "She's not so good. She can't even color in the lines."
And the little girl, so sweet, about 5-years old, responded to him "Shhhhh... She's doing the best she can." I still smile and chuckle every time I think about that episode.

I could ramble on and on - about the many people who touched my spirits while I was doing my job. You're all special to me.

I care about you Tiana. I hope and believe that you'll always get the love and caring that is so much a part of who you are. I'm lucky to have had the opportunity to work for you. The opportunity to be with you. I love people.

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College Face Painting

Last Sunday, I Face Painted at a College.
I wanted to come up with some things that would please this older crowd.
So after doing TWO big Caricature gigs on Saturday (a 5-hour Bar Mitzvah and a 3 hour 50th Birthday), I visited my niece and tried out 2 scenes - winter and tropical.

Those were good, but some even wilder ones were created at the party. Here are some of them.