Artistic Face Painting & Crafts: Mom, Daughter Make Works of Art Under Customers' Noses

Intent on providing her daughter, Rachel Adler, with steady income and a part-time job, Debbie Adler created a face painting opportunity in 2003. However, the company as it stands today wasn't formally established until 2006.

Rachel, now 24, had always demonstrated a flair for artistic expression. She played a musical instrument in the high school marching band, danced and devoured the hours spent in a variety of art classes. She majored in art in college. Today, Rachel is an art teacher at Oswego Community High School in Oswego.

"I like to think this business gave her an edge in her career," said Debbie Adler, a New Lenox mother of five.

Today, has a staff of 12 artists, including Adler and her daughter. Most of their work is performed on weekends.

"We approach face painting differently," Adler said. "We're professionals who look at each project as true artistry."

Many people think of face painting as something that someone who dresses up like a clown does to entertain children with simplistic balloons or heart shapes.

"We don't just slap on paint. Our designers are all trained artists," she said.

regularly invites Adler and her team of artists to set-up in a corner.

"She's very good with the kids. She draws people to the restaurant. Some parents come in and ask when she's coming next," said Cassie Muldoon, head hostess at the restaurant. 

For an additional charge, the artists will dress up. "I usually recommend that clients choose a costume, other than a clown, because children are very often afraid of clowns," Adler said.

In addition to the mermaid, the company's costume collection includes: Cinderella, Tinkerbell, Prince Charming, Captain Hook, Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Venom.

"Once we did a grand opening for a computer center, and I customized the costumes and crafts to match the little bugs featured in the software that the client used," Adler said.

At Artistic Face Painting & Crafts, it's taboo to use a stencil. "Every creation is hand-painted to accommodate the customer's needs or desires," she added.

Not only are the brushes washed clean with antiseptic solution and soap for each customer, the paint is water-based.

"I don't want to make it difficult to wash off," Adler said. "I know that children and people with sensitive skin need something that will come off easily." 

Despite the fact that there are hundreds of designs to choose from, Adler said she encourages customers to bring along a picture of someone or something specific. "We can match just about any picture," she said. 

Once,  Adler painted a picture of a man's dog that was on a leash and sitting next to him.

At the moment, the most popular designs for children are various varieties of Spider-Man for the boys and Hello Kitty or princesses for the girls.     

Although children are the biggest market for face painting, teenagers and adults enjoy the more intricate designs.

"I have girls going to homecoming dances who want me to paint a butterfly, feather or bird to accentuate a cut-out area on their backs," she said. "We add gems to give them pizzazz. They're very pretty. We match the color of their dresses. It really adds something special to the overall look."

A lot of customers get drawn in when they see artwork evolving before their very eyes. When the company sets up at carnivals, fairs or expos, people love to crowd around and watch. Women seem partial to the peacock, feather or butterfly designs that get painted next to the eye. Some people appreciate the intricate, henna-like designs that originated in ancient Middle Eastern cultures.         

While Adler is considering the addition of the more permanent henna designs, she is opposed to painting permanent tattoos. That's another venue all together, she added. However, some people will begin with a hand-painted design before deciding on a tattoo.

Certainly, Adler and her staff of artists travel throughout the Chicago metropolitan region, but they also travel to Northwest Indiana. Occasionally, the company will go to Wisconsin. "We did a day at the Milwaukee Zoo."

A significant number of bookings come in the form of birthday parties, grand openings, charitable events or school functions. The rule of thumb is that each painting takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The rate is $120 per hour with a minimum two-hour booking.

Where children are concerned, Adler said she likes to focus on making the whole experience fun. Some kids are shy and a bit uneasy.

"I talk to them. I get them to talk to me about their favorite superhero or favorite princess," she said. "I really think the experience helps develop a child's creativity. I'm really proud about that."