Comic Expressions

LED Uplighting

2012-02-12T00:02:00.000-08:00

Adding to the party decor services available, I'm now pleased to be able to offer LED uplighting rental. Here's a picture from my face painting booth at a recent event, where I used some LED uplighting on the back wall to add to the mood. Contact me today for a price quote on your face painting / glitter event, or on other party services!

About Us

2011-08-01T16:26:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm Mark and I'm the owner of Comic Expressions, Montana's premiere face painting and party entertainment company. I'm able to provide one or multiple face painters or glitter tattoo artists for your event in Kalispell, Polson, Missoula, Helena, or anywhere within driving distance of those cities (milage charges may apply).

Myself and my partners use only non-toxic, hypo-allergenic, FDA-compliant makeup products. No itchy, painful, rash-causing craft store paints! Ever!

We also offer one of the hottest trends around - glitter tattoo parties! These glitter tattoos are also made from cosmetic makeup products, are water-resistant, and last 3-5 days. Call me today - 406-314-0362 - to book your next party or event and let us help you make it a blast!

Glitter Tattoos!

2011-07-10T23:05:00.001-07:00

Hey guys, guess what's HOT this summer? Glitter tattoos! These temporary tattoos made with glitter or black mica (which looks like a real tattoo) as well as cosmetic glue last 3+ days and are water-resistant, and totally pool party cool! Call me at 406-314-0362 to book a glitter tattoo party today!

"What Paint Do You Use?" (aka Thoughts On Safety)

2010-12-18T03:56:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, one of the most common questions I get is "what paint do you use?" My normal response is simply "none." Then I explain I do not use any type of "paints" in the sense they're wondering - craft paints, acrylic paints, tempera paints, etc. While commonly used for face painting, these products are not hypoallergenic, and may cause potentially severe allergic reactions. I deal with it all the time, the kid, adult, parent, etc who thinks them (or their child) is allergic to face paint. If I get the chance, and I know of this, I politely say that they're almost certainly allergic to craft paints, not to the water-based makeup I use. Some give it a try, usually if their kid is begging - some don't. That's business I lose because others face paint with unsafe products. I take that very seriously - both for my own business, and even more for the sake of those kids missing out on something fun. Make sure that any face painter you hire is using professional makeup products, not paint!

So what do I face paint with? I use professional makeup designed for face painters with safety in mind. These products are anti-bacterial to prevent spreading germs when used as directed, they're water-based for easy application and removal, and they're hypo-allergenic. Specifically, I use Kryolan Aqua Color and Mehron Paradise most of the time. I also usually have some similar products from other companies such as Snazaroo and Wolfe FX that I use in certain designs. All the products I use can be bought from Silly Farm Supplies and Heather at Silly Farm is amazing to work with and only sells top-quality, safe products.

In the three years I've been face painting, I've only had two cases of people who came back to me reporting allergies (and I would encourage ANYONE to do so! It helps me figure things out, and any report that seems like a real allergy WILL be sent to the manufacturer of the makeup). One was a young girl whose entire face turned red after washing off the makeup. That is immediately suspect because the makeup wasn't on her entire face, the design contained several brands and colors of makeup (further limiting the area an allergy to one ingredient would have), and she was fine until washing it off. I asked her what she washed it off with. It was at a camp and she told me the foaming soap from the dispenser in the camp's restroom. I told her I was almost certain that caused her allergy since the symptoms didn't seem like a face paint allergy, and that made sense to her as well. The soap they have in the restrooms at that camp burns my hands - I can't imagine it on the face!

The other report I received was one of eye irritation from the product. This was from the young granddaughter of a vendor next to me at a fair, and I received the report the next morning from the girl. Again, no symptoms until removing it. The girl did remove it as I suggest - with baby shampoo. However, this was more local irritation and she said that she did scrub pretty hard to get it off. This case I explained I was pretty sure the redness was irritation from rubbing her eyes too hard. She still got me to paint her face again, but asked that I avoid her eyes, which I obviously did. She chose a design not involving the eye area. Her eyes were better by lunch time. I'm pretty sure she just rubbed them red trying too hard in removing the makeup.

My point? In three years of face painting I've had two allergy reports, both of which I'm almost certain were related to removal technique. I'm VERY confident in the safety of the makeup I use. Whenever you're looking to hire a face painter, it is okay to ask what we use. In fact, I'm glad when people do. Nothing is more important to me than this being a fun, enjoyable activity with fond memories for years to come - not memories of rashes and itchy paint. To the people who act like they're worried they're stepping over the line when you ask me what I use - you're not, I'm glad you asked. :)

Have a wonderful Christmas, and I hope to see many of you this coming year!

Blessings,

Mark

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-15T02:55:00.000-08:00

Hey folks, in wishing everyone a VERY Merry Christmas any private party packages booked before December 25th mentioning this post will receive $30 off!

Also, for businesses, bookings made before December 25th will not require a booking fee. Unfortunately, a couple of businesses (who I will not name as it's not in my nature to tear down others) booking events then making last minute cancellations have made it the reality that I have to join the rest of the entertainment world and require a non-refundable advance booking fee for all new business/commercial clients. To my many *wonderful* business owner friends out there, how do you deal with this? I love face painting and entertaining people; but I'm not so good at the business side of things. I prefer to just believe that everyone out there has good intentions. I know most of y'all do! It's been such an amazing blessing just meeting many of the people I've met through this business!

Of Christmas and Holidays

2010-11-12T01:13:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, how's it going out there? Here in Montana, we don't have a whole lot to do for winter parties for kids. There's skating and bowling. And that's about it. There's a few more cool things coming to town soon from what I've seen, but still. The same old, same old. How about something cool and exciting anywhere you're at? Face painting! Let our art be the highlight of your event for guests of all ages. Winter party packages are 20% off for all bookings made through December 15th, just mention my website when you call - 406-314-0362. Blessings!

Blacklight Parties!

2010-09-23T22:41:00.000-07:00

Blacklight parties are a great idea for indoor and home parties in the middle of the winter! Pricing is only $100 over a standard party. Fee includes blacklight rental, setup, and consultation on how to get the most out of your blacklight party!

Fall Is The Season Of Scary!

2010-09-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

I'm more of a princess/girly/curly/swirly/butterfly face painter myself... but fall is here and it's time for monsters and scarecrows and skeletons (but princess/girly/curly/swirly/butterfly stuff is still wonderful too!)... In celebration of fall, I've got a deal that won't scare you. Like Comic Expressions on Facebook, and call today (be sure to mention Facebook) to book an event and you'll get 10% off any event booked between now and the end of September!

Pricing Questions!

2010-09-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

About to paint a "wild child" cat face!

Pricing is everyone's first question on the phone, and I've avoided posting it online because each party is so different. If you're interested in something, please call me or e-mail me and we'll talk and I'll do my best to figure out something that works for you. However, I thought I'd post a couple of base prices so that you can see how surprisingly affordable it can be to get a professional, high quality, safe, fun face painter at your event. These are just two sample base prices, and each event is different:

Birthday party - my basic package starts at only $60. This is for up to eight kids, basic face painting only (curly/girly/swirly designs, animal faces, etc). This is 45 minutes to an hour of painting, and this price is only good in Kalispell due to travel time.

Corporate event - these events are flat-rate $50/hr, two hour minimum for basic face painting only.

Again, talk to me for a price quote for your specific event... I will work with you to do my best to find a package that you want at a price that meets your needs. Have a wonderful day and lots of smiles!

Mark

What Is Party Art?

2010-09-04T01:51:00.000-07:00

I'm getting asked a lot lately what I mean by "Face Painting and Party Art." Quite simply, party art is the best phrase I could come up with to encompass the extras I can do for your party. I am, first and foremost, a face painter. However, if you have wishes that go beyond face painting - give me a call, and talk to me. I may have that trick up my sleeve - or I may know a good entertainer to recommend for the job! Here are just a few examples of things I do that "party art" may include:

Blacklight Parties - I bring all the equipment needed to do blacklight face painting. My blacklight units will adequately illuminate a typical living room space. A completely dark environment and a 120V/20A circuit are the only requirements to setup blacklights for a blacklight party! I do *full color* blacklight face painting as well as blacklight glitter tattoos!

Glitter Tattoos - These temporary tattoos are made with cosmetic glitter and cosmetic adhesive applied with a one time use stencil and a brush. These unique, fun temporary tattoos last 2-5 days.

Mehndi - Traditional henna body art. Hand-applied natural henna paste will stain skin light to medium brown for 1-4 weeks. Especially fun for teenagers! All natural, I use absolutely NO PPD.

Balloon Twisting - balloons are not my specialty, however I can add simple balloons (basic animals, hats, etc) to other party packages for an extra-fun twist. Balloons are both a latex allergy risk and a choking hazard, and as such are at your own risk and not recommended for very young children.

If you can imagine it, I'll help you make it happen! Either myself, or by referring you to someone better suited than myself for your needs. Have a great day!

Smiles,

Mark

Thanks For A Great Summer!

2010-08-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks for another great summer, to all the butterflies and kitties and lions and tigers and superheros I've painted! There's only a little bit of summer left, I can hardly believe how quickly it's gone by! I also apologize for not posting on here more of the summer events I did. I did a few FREE events I should've posted... next year people. Thanks to the organizers of those events for hiring me, and thanks to everyone else who has contributed to a great summer. Now that temperatures are getting cooler, and we're slipping back into fall, I just wanted to remind everyone that face painting (indoors :) ) is great for parties and events year-round. I serve Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Polson, Missoula, West Glacier, Lakeside, Bigfork, and the whole of western Montana (travel charges may apply outside a 20 mile radius). Give me a call today, 209-676-KIDS or 406-314-0362 to plan to make your next party or event a blast!

P.S. I occasionally get asked "what kind of paint do you use?" - I would like to assure people I'm not using any kind of paint at all! Some people paint with acrylics and craft paints but those are heavy, itchy, and can cause serious allergies. I use water based cake makeup and powder mica (mineral makeup). I use a variety of professional brands, but the vast majority of what I use is Mehron Paradise, and Kryolan Aqua Color. All products I use are safe, gentle, hypo-allergenic makeup. Hope this clarifies for some people! Smiles, Mark

Another Great Boys & Girls Club Event!

2010-06-26T01:04:00.001-07:00

I had another great Saturday last Saturday at the Boys and Girls Club. I wish I was a good photographer, this cat face that looks quite weird looked AMAZING in real life - enough so that all the girls wanted the same face! Lots of identical little kitties were wandering around, and some other amazing stuff. It was a much busier day and it was cool to be able to help out the Boys and Girls Club! Hopefully, I'll be back there again in the future for another event. If anyone out there is looking a great place to host a party, the Boys & Girls Club Roller Rink is a great facility, great people, and it supports a great cause - they can be reached at 406-752-5440, ask for Amanda, and be sure to tell her that Mark told you about them!

On a cool side note this week, I wanna give a big shout out to all the employees at the Kalispell Hilton Garden Inn! I painted at their employee appreciation day, and there were not very many kids - but I sure got to have some fun on a group of staff who were from the Ukraine! They were really cool and pushed the box of what I knew how to do (my favorite request - a Sakura tree - which I had no clue what it would look like but it turned out pretty cool and she loved it, which is always the goal!). Thanks, Hilton Garden Inn!

Boys & Girls Club

2010-06-12T15:20:00.001-07:00

I had a great afternoon painting at the Boys & Girls Club roller rink on Shady Lane. There weren't many kids so each one got to get a lot painted! I had kids coming back two, three, four times to get their arms painted, all sorts of things. It was a fun three hours and I probably painted about 45 designs on a 15 or so kids :) Remember next Saturday, June 19th, I will be at the rink again and your kids can skate for FREE if they bring their report card showing either a 3.0 average or all "S"'s and better.

Boys & Girls Club Roller Rink June 12th & 19th

2010-06-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

Howdy friends & followers! June 12th and June 19th I will be painting at the Boys & Girls Club Roller Rink in Evergreen from 1pm to 4pm during their special end-of-the-school-year celebration! My understanding is that this event is free for kids with a 3.0GPA / B-average / all "3's" or above so bring your report card. There will be (obviously) roller skating and a face painter (me) and I think Amanda (the rink manager) has some other cool stuff planned to but I don't know the details. Don't miss out!

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Welcome!

2010-05-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

Hello, and welcome to the new website of Comic Expressions Face Painting and Party Art. My name is Mark and I am a professional face painter serving Kalispell, Montana and the surrounding Flathead Valley. I'm fast, fun, and use only safe, hypoallergenic makeup products. Watch this page as I will be posting public events I will be at, random thoughts on face painting, pictures, etc. If you have pictures that I can use of my work, please email them to me at mark@comicexpressions.com - I don't get many chances to take pictures while I'm painting much less ask permission to use them on the web! They would be much appreciated! I also do temporary tattoos - stenciled glitter tattoos, and freehand painted black tribal style designs. These are done with materials that last a few days, face paints wash off with baby shampoo and water. To find out more or to book a party, please call me at 406-314-0362, or email me at mark@comicexpressions.com Have a great day!

Mark

Welcome

2010-05-27T23:08:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the new website of Comic Expressions. While we build our new site, please call me or email me at mark@comicexpressions.com for booking information. Thank you for visiting our site!