Party recaps, tips, and behind-the-scenes.
Photos and stories from recent gigs — birthdays, school events, festivals — plus the occasional how-we-do-it post.
Christmas Face Painting: Where It Fits and How to Plan It
Christmas is one of the busiest stretches in the face-painting calendar, and the work it brings is wonderfully varied. Some weeks I am at a residential estate's tree-lighting event, some at a shopping centre, some at corporate year-end functions.
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Halloween Face Painting Across Gauteng
Dora · 12 May 2026Halloween has quietly become one of the busiest stretches of my year. Two decades ago it was barely a thing in South Africa. Now October is fully booked weeks in advance — residential estates, restaurants, corporate parties, and a steady stream of individuals wanting their costume taken from good to unforgettable.
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Painting an Alice in Wonderland School Concert
Dora · 12 May 2026Almost every school in South Africa stages an annual concert, and the costume side of those productions is usually run by the drama teacher and a small army of parents. Once in a while a school brings in a professional face painter for the more complicated character work.
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Adult Face Painting at Mamasamba Restaurant, Rosebank
Dora · 12 May 2026A lot of people are surprised when I tell them face painting works just as well for adult events as it does for kids' parties. The Wild Side evening at Mamasamba Restaurant in Rosebank is a good example of why.
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Live on GROOT FM: Face Painting on the Air
Dora · 12 May 2026I had never been on radio before. The invitation from GROOT FM came in a few weeks earlier and I had been quietly nervous about it ever since. The format was straightforward: a chat with Francois and Anelma, and — as a small twist — they wanted me to paint both of their faces live in the studio while we talked.
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Three Years at the Plant Paradise Spring Festival, Pretoria East
Dora · 12 May 2026Every September, Plant Paradise in Moreletapark, Pretoria East, runs its Spring Festival. We have been the face painters there for three years now, set up next to the coffee shop while the rest of the nursery gets on with the day.
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Sugar Skulls and Day of the Dead Face Painting
Dora · 12 May 2026Day of the Dead — Día de los Muertos — has become one of the more rewarding themes to paint. The designs are bright, floral, and full of meaning, and most of the people who book a Mexican-themed event have done their research.
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Painting the Staff: Animal Face Painting at the Lion King: Mufasa Premier
Dora · 12 May 2026I get asked to paint guests at a lot of events. The Lion King: Mufasa premier was the first time I had been asked to paint the staff instead.
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