Ava is a face painter and balloon twister based out of Norton, MA and currently attending Wheaton College for creative writing.
Ava started with Kaleidoscope in 2023, having graduated from Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing and Visual Arts with a focus on cinematography and traditional photography. In 2022, her story Mother Nature’s Son was mentioned as a Notable Story in Write Rhode Island, her home state’s only short fiction competition for high school students.
At Kaleidoscope, Ava would love to come to your party for:
- Face painting
- Balloon twisting
- Glitter and airbrush tattoos
- Tarot reading
See some of Ava’s verified Google and GigSalad reviews here:
Interview with Ava: Norton MA Face Painter and Balloon Twister!
When and why did you start working at Kaleidoscope?
I started working here in spring 2023 as I was graduating high school. I chose Kaleidoscope because I was promised a fun, comfortable, and team-oriented working environment that could foster my creativity, while always teaching me the responsibility I needed to begin my life outside of high school. And each member of this company has delivered on the promise time and time again!
What’s your favorite art form (or performance etc) to do here?
Face Paint!
What is your favorite part of face painting?
My favorite part of face painting is how personal and individual it can be! I’ve found that, for kids, being able to choose something as simple as the color of their face paint, or a design their friends haven’t done yet, makes them feel really special.
What are people’s reactions when you tell them That you’re a professional face painter and balloon twister?
People think my job is super cool and fascinating, I’m almost always asked follow up questions about what I do.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about being in event entertainment?
Although it is certainly nowhere near the hardest job on the planet, it’s not the easiest either! Anyone has the capability to do what we do, but it took us all lots of learning and practice to get where we are! Our skills are developed with time and experience!
What was the most memorable party you ever entertained at?
I entertained at a birthday party with only about five kids, all under the age of 7. By the end I knew all of their names and their favorite subjects in school. When there were lulls when they didn’t want any art from me, they brought coloring books over and asked if we could color together. But best of all, was when the birthday girl took my hand and brought me out to sing happy birthday with her and her family. Small parties will always be my favorite because of that one event!
What’s your favorite part of being an artist?
It’s honest to me and who I am as a person! I’ve been creative since I was little, it’s not surprising that I am an artist as an adult because that is what I have always been. Art makes me feel my most true to myself. My favorite part of the job is how authentic to myself I can be while working, I do not need to change for anyone.
What’s your favorite part of Entertaining kids?
Kids are hilarious and honest, but they’re also curious, and I’ve found when you tap into that curiosity, you can learn something from them regardless of their age.
What is the hardest thing about being a Face Painter or Balloon Twister?
I am not a babysitter! I love the kids to death, but I cannot be put in charge of them and their well being.
Many parents think it’s okay to leave while their children are in my chair, which is completely fine for a moment to grab their phone for a picture or something small, but leaving entirely and not returning puts me and the child in a strange position. They’re scared to leave my chair alone and I don’t feel comfortable letting them go alone, causing me to stop what I’m doing and find the parent instead of helping the next kid in my chair.
What’s one thing you want every event planner to know?
Large events tend to either be the busiest or the slowest, all depending on the amount of children. If your corporate event is anticipating a large amount of children, please plan accordingly and schedule enough artists to make sure each kid gets the exact art they want! If you are anticipating a small amount of children, an art like balloon twisting, where a kid can get multiple, fulfills the time more than something like face painting, which kids can only get one of.
Get a free entertainment quote for your upcoming party!
Categories: Artist Spotlight