I Was A Kids Face Painter For A Weekend, And It Was A Bittersweet Experience
Start writing a post

I Was A Kids Face Painter For A Weekend, And It Was A Bittersweet Experience

In a world of give and take, the choices I've made will always leave me wondering those "what-ifs?".

7
I Was A Kids Face Painter For A Weekend, And It Was A Bittersweet Experience
Jessica Shih

Last weekend, I performed volunteer service in preparation for an environmental festival the following day, hosted by a children's fine arts school just down the road from my university. I didn't do anything grand, just a wipe-down of a table or two here and a broom sweep in one or two classrooms there to make ensure everything looked presentable. While I cleaned, I overhead one of the festival directors mention to a coworker that they were in need of an additional kids face painter for the festival. Upon hearing that, the first thought that came to mind was the one time I did face paintings four years ago (it's harder than it looks, and with untrained facial artists like me, you can imagine how those poor children's faces looked after an attempt to paint a butterfly or snake on their cheeks), so of course I piped in that I knew how. Delighted, they announced to the rest of the staff to no longer worry about getting ahold of another face painter because there was a "professional right here with us!" to which I started, "Oh, actually, I'm not…" But their excitement overwhelmed my refutation, and I couldn't back out.

I was now tasked with a new job, equipped with only a brief and poor experience nearly half a decade ago. I just hoped that the kids won't mind that my face painting skills only provide the vaguest of an resemblance to whatever animal they request.

Upon showing up to do my kids face painting duties the next day, my first customer was a six-year-old girl who requested the following: A. Blue. And. Red. Unicorn. Mask. On. Her. Whole. Face. With. Facial. Glitter.

And that was the moment I knew I was in for a doozy.

Luckily, I used to be an artist, so I'm not super horrible at these kinds of tasks. But pay attention to the usage of past tense in the previous sentence: Yep, I haven't produced a single piece of art since sophomore year of high school after sacrificing it to pursue journalism.

But after several minutes of getting myself acquainted with the paints as well as chatting up my premier "customer" (who declared my outfit "childlike" since my hair was in two short braids with mini pink plastic star hair ties, and my mismatched sushi and artichoke-print socks peeked out of my raspberry-colored hi-top Converse), I began enjoying the task at hand.I loved watching their astonished facial expressions when I'd finish and give them a mirror to look at their painted faces, complete with wide grins and bright eyes. I couldn't help but smile as they ran off to their parent to show off their new look.

Yet strangely, I also started to feel a bit sad.

See, I left the festival that day with the most intense sense of longing I've had in a long time, because I realized I missed being an artist. Sure, writing is a creative art form, but it's foremost one of practicality; on the other hand, the fine arts oftentimes prioritizes that creative aspect before anything else.

Sometimes I wonder what I'd be like had I chosen art over writing. I know I'd definitely be a better and more confident artist, but I'd also most likely not be the qualified writer I am today. In a world of give and take, the choices I've made will always leave me wondering those "what-ifs?".

I'm sad over the person I could be or could have been, but I'm also happy with who I am and where I'm at in my life right now. I'm glad to have face painted again, and more than anything, I'm glad I now know I'm capable of making others happy, even if only temporarily.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

59198
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

38268
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959722
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

197050
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments