in the beggining - facepainting by PATTYSWEETCAKES

Who is pattysweetcakes????

Maria Medina  came to New Jersey at age one from Ponce, Puerto Rico. She grew up in the Ironbound section of Newark and later moved to the North Newark area, home of Branch Brook Park, the most beautiful park in Newark and perhaps, all of NJ with it's amazing collection of Cherry Bloosom trees. She attended Arts High School where she majored in Fine Arts and later graduated from N.S.F.I.A with a degree inTextile design,and worked briefly in N.Y. before taking a year off to raise her first child. Switching carreers, she then trained to be a dental assistant and continued in the dental field for the next 15 years, often using her background in the arts to design advertising for the dental office itself. She also worked as a freelance cartoonist for a local Patterson News Paper, " la Campanita", illustrating their often saucy jokes and the Horoscope which they still use.
     Pattysweetcakes was born when Maria's employer, whose daughter refused to have a clown at her 9th birthday party, asked Maria to let her take advantage of her closeness to the child and dress up as a clown for the party. " It will be easy! " she assured her." we'll whip together an outfit and do some crafts. no problem!" With Maria's naturally humourous nature, artistic flair, great patience and love for children, the party was a success and Pattysweetcakes was a hit.
     Through the years Pattysweetcakes added a new outfit, some magic, and later face painting which has made her the fun character she is today.Take a look at the change. And since laughter is contagious, check out the little ones who couldn't help getting caught up in the fun!

I practice as much as i can. Sometimes my kids run the other way when they see me pull out the paints and brushes. But they usually give in. And when they don't want to,I can always count on my mommy!

Working on small children is difficult. Sometimes they're scared, sometimes moody or tired, or sometimes they just don't want to be bothered. But when you are able to get the design on, there is nothing satisfying than that first look in the mirror and that huge smile or look of surprise! I say to myself, "Wow! I'm responsible for that beautiful smile!"

Newark Music and Art festival
Elwood Park August 16th 2008

The Elwood festival of music and arts was my first public event, and it was for my neighborhood! I was thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce myself to my community.It was more than i expected! What i thought would be a few hours turned into an eight hour marathon of faces. I loved it!!! The children enjoyed it, though the lines were long and i got to meet a lot of parents who, I think, saw a side of their children they don't often see, the quiet side!
What i enjoy most about face painting is the interaction between the artist and the model. I have the best conversations with young people when they are waiting for their turn. Some are curious as to how I learned to paint. They ask "is it easy ?" Others tell me they want to learn as well. I always tell them

" you can do anything you set your mind to as long as you study and give it your best. Now hurry up and learn so you can help me with this long line !"

End of summer festival /Elwood park September 7th 2008

End of summer Jamborree Newark Ironbound Rec Center/Rotunda Pool August 29, 2008

I was discovered painting at the Elwood festival by Ms Miriam Santiago of the Newark Department of Recreational and Cultural Affairs. She said i impressed her not only with my "art work and speed" but also with my ability to handle a large crowd , endless amount of patience and my raport with the children. So I was hired for the first of many opportunities to work with the city of newark. To see how i've improved, visit my gallery.