My first public event (Hockey game)

Well, I survived. I was asked to paint as a fundraiser for the Heart & Stroke Foundation at the local hockey team (Abbotsford Heat - farm team for Calgary Flames), games tonight and tomorrow. 100% of the donations go to the H&SF. I was wanting to donate to them anyway as my aunt recently died of heart disease. Anyway, I sure learned a lot!

Bring more sponges and a bag to put the dirty ones in, cuz my 'cool whip' container fills up fast.

Make sure there's adequate lighting! During hockey games for whatever reason, they dim the lights now and then. I had no idea what time it was or even what period most of the time. So I don't know if there was a reason for the lack of light show. Not sure what I'll do tomorrow night. There are no outlets near where I'm set up. It's embarrassing to paint in the dark, even if it is only flames.

Have someone there to make sure people pay to the donation jar and keep the line in order. Most just put money in the jar or handed it to me, but I think if a real person was managing it they'd feel more obligated to pay better than $2. I even taped in a $5 bill (per someones brilliant suggestion here) and although at the beginning it worked, later on it was a lot more coins.

For sports events have a very small menu related to the event. I had this, but I also had my 'ad poster' that had some complicated stuff on it that people kept requesting. "No, I can't paint the team logo across your head like the one I have there...it took an hour to do on a bald guy." I did a few butterflies and unicorns because they're on my poster. I probably should have just pulled out the regular menu.

Using a flag or heart transparency on a face is tougher than you'd think. If the paint is too thin it runs behind. It the stencil is too small you can't really paint around it as your fingers get in the way. Anyone know if using a spray adhesive is OK? Just on the transparency, not the face.

Here's the 'small' menu I had ... the logo was there just because it was an Abbotsford Heat game, not as an option.

Nice ideas you have going there, might I suggest a side trip to a hardware/auto store for a battery powered light that can be fitted to sit on ur head{for working under cars, in the shadows they cast}? I've also see one style that wraps around your neck, like a hosepipe. Last july 4th I was painting at the local fireworks show, I was painting a dragon on a colledge age young man when all of the lights in the whole place suddenly were turned off to achieve total darkness, but the resorcefull young man and his friends whipped out cell phones and shown them upon his face so I could finish. quarenteed it was a moment to remember

Great idea. Cat suggested a head lamp too. We have a couple in our camping supplies I'm going to dig out for tonight!

I just watched Mark Reid's 'Boys will be boys' and he had a soccer ball with flames that I can change to a hockey puck. I think that will give some more variety for tonight and stick to the theme.

Wal mart also carries the lights that clip on to the brim of a baseball cap. Check the sporting section.

I was going to suggest a battery operated light as well. I had a club gig a couple of nights ago, and had one lamp plugged into the DJ booth, and the other running on batteries. I also had a head lamp in my bag just in case - didn't have to use it, and I returned it yesterday I'm just not a head lamp kind of girl, haha.

The head lamps are best as you automatically look where you want the light to go. The good ones are comfy elastic straps and the light pattern/ intenityis adjustable AND so is the angle of the light.

I have an old Petzl head torch I used to use for field studies & caving - LED lights- absolutely fab, used weekly and I think I have changed the batteries 2 times in 4 yrs!

Cat x

I borrowed a friend's LED head lamp and although I looked like a total dork, it really helped. Thanks Cat for the tip! I kept forgetting to take the thing off when the lights went up though.


The 'Heat' were playing against the Chicago Wolves and this little fan wanted a wolf. I've never done a wolf and being a 'CAT' fan (CATZ is my company name, eh?) I kinda suck at the dog thing. PLUS I had a line up to deal with so here is my first wolf in two minutes. I forgot to do ears!


Here is an Abbotsford HEAT fan with a flaming hockey puck. http://i69.servimg.com/u/f69/14/49/73/24/ep103015.jpg[/img]

This is my first 'Ken eyes'. I've done 'Barbie eyes many times, but this is the first boy to request them. I thought it was hilarious and so did he.


Here are some flames...I've had lots of practice now!

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I was surprised tonight was much slower than last night. I would have thought a Friday night would have been busier. There were more people, but more were painted last night. Overall I made a couple hundred for the Heart & Stroke Foundation which feels good. A few folks took business cards and asked about parties. As my first 'big' public event I feel it went well and I came away having learned a lot! Thanks everyone for your great advice!