The fanciest face painting this side of the Mississippi! Fancy Schmancy and QUICK face painting and natural henna. Art parties for adults (paint and sip ok) and the kiddos. Private art lessons and group lessons available for everyone and educational art classes for the kids also (art around the world, famous artists series, etc) I also do custom commissioned paintings and pet portraits, fabric painting and wall murals!
Dawn did an amazing job with face painting at our corporate family day event. We were very pleased with her services.
Preston Medlock
Picnic Master, Inc.
Response from Sunshine Dreams Art Center:
Thanks Preston! It was a pleasure meeting you and your awesome staff. Everyone was so nice and super professional!
Preston, I am leaving Gig Salad. If you need me my number is 941-758-ARTS
Sunshine was everything you could hope for in a face painter. She arrived early and had everything set up well, she uses good quality paints and glitter. She was professional and friendly. She's a welcome addition to any event. Will definitely hire again.
Response from Sunshine Dreams Art Center:
Well, since she's saying nice stuff about me it's only fair to say that I am still absolutely beaming from the amazing people I met from this party. Nikki and her husband were unbelievably sweet the entire time and made me feel like one of their long time friends and frankly, if it's ok with Nikki and her hubby, I hope that's what we become. I absolutely love you guys and called a few friends to tell them about what a fun event it was. I was honored to bless you friends and to meet the two of you. Thanks so much Nikki! - luv Dawn aka Sunshine NIKKI, I am leaving Gig Salad. If you need me for another event you may reach me at 941-758-ARTS
I've known Dawn and work with her for nearly a decade now her work is phenomenal. She is also extremely personable and works very well with the children she's fun and entertaining as well as being an impeccable artist highly recommend.
Response from Sunshine Dreams Art Center:
And Jim is an AMAZING caracture artist!!!
Thanks Jim, I miss seeing you at events up North. I appreciate the kind words!
Dawn arrived for a pre-Gasparilla children’s parade party on time and fully prepared. Dawn is very charming and upbeat. She was great with the kids and was able to coax the reluctant kids to have their face painted. Some of the face designs were so beautiful that it was a piece of art & kids loved it. Hire Dawn for your event! She is wonderful! Thank you Dawn for making the event special.
Response from Sunshine Dreams Art Center:
Thank you Tom!!! I was DELIGHTED to come. It was so nice to meet you and honestly, I think the highlight of the entire day was connecting with that little shy guy. He sure came out of his shell. Thanks again, I would work with you and those kiddos any time! Hi Tom, I am changing my membership status with Gig Salad so I'm not sure if you'll be able to reach me again or not. Just in case, my phone number is 941-758-ARTS, thanks Jim!
Dawn is very fun and makes anyone who gets any face painting feel special and always makes it an enjoyable experience
Response from Sunshine Dreams Art Center:
Hey Bea, thanks so much! I enjoyed you guys too!
Dawn is right on the same wavelength with children from beginning to farewell. I am a fellow face painter and have worked with her over the years. I've even tried to copy some of her fabulous faces because children are so amazed when they look in the mirror . Her henna product and henna skills are top-notch, you can be assured of satisfaction.
Response from Sunshine Dreams Art Center:
Thanks so much Diane! Hiring you to help at Boca Bay was always so much fun. Thank you for your review!
I worked with Dawn helping her at several festivals and she is so great with the kids! She is gifted in a way to do amazing artistry fast and keep the waiting line moving. The kids and the parents are always delighted with the results!
Great with the kids an the adults! Everyone will enjoy the time spent with dawn an the work that gets done! 5 outta 5
Sunshine and her sweet pups, Cupcake and Maci, are incredible. I've seen Sunshine calm the nerves of the shy-est child to create beautiful works of art. I have personally had my face painted too and I got many compliments from people telling me they loved my face.
Her henna work is so beautiful as well. She uses only the highest grade of henna that leaves the gorgeous one of a kind designs stunning for weeks to come.
I will always trust her with my events in the future.
Price Range: Contact for rates
Gig Length: 90 - 120 minutes
Languages: English
Insurance: $1,000,000 - face painting and henna
I am a fun, upbeat person with a pretty big personality I'm told. I'm friendly, love to smile and really enjoy the kids. My goal is to serve you with excellent products and to make the kids eyes twinkle with delight. The highlight of the day for me is seeing those big smiles when they look in the mirror.
I specialize in the big fancy face paintings so while I can do little ones, it takes me just as long to do the big ones and those are the ones that have gotten me attention throughout various states where I did face painting at henna at festivals. Those are my award winners and because of that, most folks would prefer me to just do what the kids want (which is typically the fancy ones).
What you may notice is my ability to connect quickly with the children. I really am fine with not needing a parent to hold the child or help them, I'm so comfortable with them and typically them with me that I can zip through kids anywhere from 2 to 4 minutes. The one on my profile picture, however took 5 to 6. I am sensitive to kids so when they are fearful sometimes I just talk with them and listen to them for a little and in extreme cases if they are crying, I may just encourage them to take a little break and see what the kids are doing and come back. I don't like to make a child feel uncomfortable, these events are all about them and usually the super shy ones warm up to me pretty quickly.
My prices are reasonable, I can come with my own chairs and table if need be and my set up is rather quick.
Hi, my name is Dawn and the kids call me Sunshine. I've been working with kids all of my life but started my face painting career in 2002. I had SO MUCH FUN that I wound up traveling throughout parts of the country with my little dog Cupcake and did it along with henna tattoos for a LIVING for over a decade!
I have purposefully NOT taking face painting classes. In my opinion, they tend to all look alike and I wanted mine to be unique, just like your kids! In fact, I have a fine art background AND a make up art background and customize my super speedy designs to enhance skin tones, bring out eye color and match their personalities. I also change the shapes and designs of some of the art work to flatter the child's face shape so everyone gets something unique and gorgeous and I do NOT spare the sparkles and diamonds when it comes to little girls.
I use only the safest face paint, never acrylic paint which is made for wood, etc and my art work comes off easily with a few make up or baby wipes. Regarding my henna tattoos, I make my own henna from scratch by mixing henna powder (ground from the henna plant), lemon juice, lavender essential oil and sugar. I will NEVER use black henna because it is not real henna, it is hair dye and is not safe. Only the natural and safe stuff for me.
You should know that I can also do art parties for adults or kids and yes, that includes paint and sip if you wish. These parties can include painting, drawing, basic jewelry making and can be added onto the face painting and henna or in leu of it. For that kind of information you better reach out to me directly.
I also have art classes available for home schoolers, women's and church groups and private lessons as well. Thanks for taking a peek at my profile, feel free to reach out with any questions and poke around my Facebook page as well.
Good lighting is important for sure and the lighting should be just above our heads so that my head won't be blocking it when doing a child. Of course if we're outside or it's daylight in a well lit room, that's perfect.
Having done this for such a long time there are a few things that will help make me an asset to you and your party. I have found that if I'm not near loud speakers or anything that's really distracting that's super helpful. I also find that the less help getting kids to sit still the better. I like them to wiggle if they need to and when it's time for them to be still for a minute, I'll let them know. I have found if there's too many instructions from well meaning folks, the kids get a little overwhelmed. Again, I want them to relax, enjoy and have fun and I also want the adults to be able to relax and enjoy their day as well.
My profile states that most of my events are 1 1/2-2 hours long which is true but I am available for up to 7 hours in a day in most cases.
I have done face painting and henna for a living for over 11 years almost every weekend for 10 months out of the year which equals approximately 43 shows a year or 473 shows before covid. I have done others after but they have not been as frequent because I care for my father and can't travel like I used to.
99% of my events had over 10,000 attendees. I estimate I have painted 180 faces or henna per weekend which in those 11 years only equals 85,140 children and equals between henna and face painting an average of 2 - 4 minutes per child.
My travels include North and South Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, West Virginia, and even Colorado.
I have won numerous awards at a juried event called the Fort Armstrong Folk Festival in Kittanning PA. I have done the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, the 4th of July celebration in Ellwood City, PA, and the Shrimp Festival in Amelia Island, Florida. Numerous Seafood festivals in Bradenton, Cedar Key, Homosassa, etc. in Florida, Art Festivals throughout the country, the Walleye Festival in Fort Clinton Ohio, and many more.
Of course, I have done children's parties and have had news articles written on my parties, my art classes, my art work, and more. This information is on my Facebook group under "guides".
a square or rectangle table please, at least 3 foot long is perfect and access to water (or a bucket if I'm inside). A few folding chairs would be great but I can bring some if it's easier for you.
If we are outside, please have us in the shade if it's a warm day and if you do not have a fan (on a day over 83 degrees), I would love access to electricity so that I can plug one in.
Tampa, FL 
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