I 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 about my work, and — as a small twist — they wanted me to paint both of their faces live in the studio while we talked.
How it actually went
Francois and Anelma are the kind of hosts who make a guest's job easy. They had clear questions, they were relaxed in front of the microphone, and they were curious about the work in a way that lifted the conversation past the standard "how did you get started" beats.
We talked about how I started painting faces, how many years I have been at it, the designs that get asked for most often (superheroes, butterflies, tigers — the three constants), and the challenges that come with the job that people do not think about. Keeping a five-year-old still for a four-minute design. The work that goes into sourcing skin-safe paints that will not react with sensitive skin. The little tricks I have picked up for working a busy queue without anyone feeling rushed.
While we talked, I painted. Francois went first. Anelma after.
Behind the scenes at a live radio show
What I had not expected was how much I would enjoy the energy of a live broadcast. There is a tempo to it that is different from any event I have worked. The producer counts down to breaks, the hosts know exactly how much they have for the next segment, and the conversation moves at a deliberate clip without ever feeling rushed. I felt like I had learned something about pacing by the time we had finished.
What I took away
Francois and Anelma put together a social media post after the show, which was generous of them. The exposure was useful, but the bigger thing was being reminded that this work goes beyond birthday parties. Painting faces is a small craft, but it is a craft that people respond to, and getting the chance to talk about it on air with people who genuinely cared made it feel a little less small.
Planning an event?
If you are putting together a party, school function, corporate event, festival, or anything where face painting could lift the day, get in touch. I would love to hear about it.