For me, this wonderful, fulfilling career all started when my sister-in-law asked me to face paint at my niece's birthday party in March 2001. Since then I have been riding the exciting roller coaster in the face painting world and I simply love every minute of it.

I initially visited the Snazaroo website in February 2001 looking for ideas and techniques and discovered a Face Painters discussion forum which I promptly joined. It didn't take long to realize that I had entered an entirely new World. A World of Face Painters and Entertainers. I never imagined that there was such a vast group of people across the World who shared their ideas and passion for face painting. My knowledge and ideas have increased dramatically from being involved with this forum of amazingly talented and people. Many Painters who I have met and am in contact with either by e-mail and/or in person have been so helpful and motivating it is incredible. I would not be where I am today without the support from these special people and the SNAZAROO discussion forum. I would love to name names, however, there are far too many to list! I have said this before on the forum and I will say it again.....you all know who you are and I thank you for helping my dream to come true.

I now face paint at a variety of venues including parties, corporate events, fetes, open days, anywhere that needs me really! People love what I do and I love what I do. Exhilarating, inspirational and fulfilling are just a few words that I would use to describe my work.

I am very proud to have received a first place in the Snazaroo Mosaics Contest and also two second places and a number of honorable mentions in other competitions. Another proud moment was seeing my dragon design printed in the first ever issue of the International Face Painting Magazine. My next challenge is to be accepted to be a member of FACE, the UK Face Painting Association which is about raising and maintaining standards of face painting, promoting training and the use of safe products and techniques.

There is an incredible sense of job satisfaction with face painting, particularly with children because nothing can compare to the delight in a child's face when they see their painted reflection in the mirror. These reactions give me an enormous sense of achievement and satisfaction. I believe that being a parent myself makes this job even more delightful for me because I am familiar with the overwhelming happiness I feel when my own daughter is happy. It is indescribable.

Willing adults cannot escape my paints and brushes either! So long as they are willing, I will paint them. A roomier canvas and a less wriggly client can make for some amazing designs. You can see some of my work on my website.