Setting up with Another Face painter

I have a festival this weekend that I have done for 4 years. There's another face painter that is always there as well but there are lots of kids at this festival so there's never been a problem with making money. In fact we have become friends and she has handed parties to me and I have told her about festivals I couldn't do.

Thanks to the "Arctic Blast" from up north it's supposed to be a high of 43 degrees in Houston which we're all not used to but we're worried that there won't be as many people at this festival, so the other face painter doesn't want to set up her tent (everything is outside). Instead she asked if she could set up with me in my booth and she would give me a percentage of what she makes.

In all honesty I don't want to because we have different styles of painting (she does mainly cheek art of cartoon characters where I do cheek, masks, and full face). Not to mention she still uses acrylic with her Snazaroo paint (her excuse is that the acrylic is brighter and she puts the Snazaroo on first so the acrylic isn't touching their face). But she is a really nice person and I would hate to leave her out in the "cold" pun intened. What would you do?

WHAAAAT?!

I say no, if only for the (BIG) fact that she still uses acrylics, and if she is set up at your tent with you, people will automatically assume that you are working together - at least somewhat - and her not using proper paints will hurt your reputation.

That, and if you feel you don't want to - don't. I know it's hard because you like her and she's nice, but this is business. You know?

Use the insurance excuse. People may confuse you work with hers and if they have a reaction to acrylics, they could come after you and your insurance won't cover this. But, she may say, I won't use them then so be prepared for a response as well.

At the end of the day you don't want to burn a bridge, but don't really have to if you use the acrylics excuse. You could say fine, but she could do only the cheek art for the day and you do the masks and full face, but absolutely no acrylics can be used.

Good luck and let us know. I hope you figure out a way to make it work for both of you!

smoothdansa - what festival are you referring to?
I might have to stop by and say "Hi"

I'm in Houston if you need help, but I didn't even realize there was anything going on this weekend

It's actually in Pearland but whatever effects Houston effects us too. I actually don't do festivals in Houston as there's so many painters there already. I stick to Pearland and further south.

ah - that's cool - what's it called?
I actually dont do face painting at festivals either - I mainly do henna at festivals.

Yuck - Pearland - I did ONE face painting party out there for a family and they call me back out there every other month now.... it's a huge hispanic family. They are awsome but their relatives spread from pearland to clear lake... and i'm WAY north so it's usually about 50 - 60 miles for me... I'll keep you in mind next time... do you go out to clear lake alot?

I would use the insurance line for sure.
You could say something like; I would love to, but unfortunately that would void my insurance should anything happen, even something as bizarre as your tent blowing away. That your insurance covers you and only you. You could also imply that your insurance agency has a very detailed list of your supplies and anything used that's not listed would also cause it to be void.

Just ideas to try and keep it smooth. Hopefully you can make it work somehow.

How about telling her that hers and yours painting style is to different, it would confuse the costumers? Also the other things with acrylic and insurance. But don't start with just saying on of them, and then adding when she has a reply. Start with something like "it could really be fun working with you, but there is a few problems involving that, that make me have to decline, including ..."

sparklingfaces: love your avatar!!!

Do you really want your business to be associated with one that uses acrylics?

NOT!

Hoping the insurance excuse works for you,
Susan

Thank You everyone for the responses. Thankfully it worked itself out. The other painter decided she will bring her own tent and will get her own spot. She was worried about her tent falling apart because of any wind but she saw where we will be setting up and I guess decided it won't be that bad. But I was going to tell her no because I needed the space in my tent to set up my tutus and tiaras that I plan to sell plus I always set up chairs for parents to sit in while they wait so thanks again.

Good luck at the festival..... I am also available if you ever need help and I don't use acrylics. I am in the Greenspoint are but travel all over Houston and surrounding areas