Day 31

A cute monkey I learned at T&S. I am a bit speechless today from some bad news but plan on being more gabby tommorrow :)

Day 30

Why is it, that when it is 9:00 at night and I sit down to dabble I have to choose something that has teeny weeny lines that cause my eyes to go cross eyed?! I should stick with the full faces and lots of sponging. I wanted to try a celtic knot for st. patty's day but had a devil of a time painting it on myself. I'm Irish....my maiden name is Doyle.....so I should be a natural, right?? Hmmmm....not so much. I went to my stroke seminar today and learned that even if the person had the stroke 5 years ago, the brain has the ability to be "trained" in new and better movement patterns....which to me is kinda wild. I was always taught you had about a year to make gains and then, well you were stuck with what you had. Apparently, not so. We watched a video of a woman who was post- stroke who was probably 30 and had 3 kids, the littlest was 18months. I have no clue how this woman dealt. She struggled to flip a playing card over on a table. It was a victory to her when she did it. Her 18month old sat in a stroller beside her at rehab.

Makes me count my blessings. I also counted my blessings that Icould run out at the lunch break, do an hour gig and make $ in a such a fun way. But it's not about making money one bit, is it? It's about enjoying the ride.

kim baker

Day 29

I got this idea from someone at the Fabbulas face painting convention 2 years ago. My son loved it. I've been liking the white outline on designs lately- they seem to make everything pop even more. Sorry, too sleepy to post more. Will post more tomorrow. I will be teaching face painting tomorrow to a newbie- should be lots of fun!

kim

day 28

OK, I know, I know, I have been missing for a few days. I went to Twist and Shout in Boston which is the most incredible balloon twisting convention. This was 4 days long and I came back exhausted and both kids with Strep Throat- thus no blogging time. Since I have just come off the tails of T&S I am balloon crazed. I love it. I learned so much and met the nicest bunch of people from all over the world. These people are so friendly, they are not your average slice of america, that's for sure. For 3 and a half days, I took endless classes on all of the lastest techniques and cutest designs. At nigth we had entertainment- stage shows, awards, magicians, comedy and then we all jammed in a room in a literal sea of balloons supplied by the 2 major balloon suppliers. Heaven. It is in Tempe, AZ next year.....I might have to save my pennies. So here are 2 pics from the event.....and yes, I shall return to face paint pics but I might be sneaking in more balloon pics here and there, I guess because I can :)

Day 27

I learned this one from Jodi Carr in 2007- she is a terrific teacher and such a talented artist! :)

kim baker

Day 26

Holy Moley! I have so much work to do before I go to Twist and Shout in Bosotn for 4 days. I can't wait! This weekend I did a party- it was ALL 2 year olds, except 1 or 2. Oh my Lord, I have never had so many squirmy worms all in one party. I was trying so hard to paint well, but let me tell you something, if you think you are a good painter and nothing is challenging anymore, paint a slew of 2 year olds. I would LOVE to see face painting done on these squirmy ones by the best teachers- mark, wolfe bros, pashur, wiser...the list goes on and on........I think it would be so funny to see who could pull off the best face. Whenever we watch them paint, they are painting on us! Still as zombies.......I do have confidence that Marcela could whip it off amazingly well- since she seems like a fairy angel to me- she's got that smile that is part kid.

kim baker

Day 25

I think Matt posed perfectly for this one. Saw Lucie's pic of the Joker and tried my best to give it a whirl. I have done a more complicated joker that takes longer but this one is nice and quick. I did a gig this evening and had a wonderful time. The kids were so well behaved- unusually patient. Usually I have one wild or persistant one- but not tonight. I love my job. Tomorrow's gig is at a great ice cream parlor- i might have to load up before I go :)
oh, and i would like to say how excited I am for the 50degree heat wave forecast for monday. Ahhhhhhh, can't wait. Perhaps a robin will pop up.
kim baker