In all the time I’ve spent teaching young children, photographing children, or being a mom of two boys, I’ve always found face painting incredibly fun. First of all, there’s the choice. “What would you like me to paint?” There’s the child who knows immediately: superman! a flower! a puppy face! For the child who doesn’t know, it starts a wonderful conversation and their eyes light up as their imaginations wander. Then, of course, there are those little faces which are just so perfect. They hold still, with wonder, as their cheek, or tiny hand gains magical power.

I have painted faces and hands. I have photographed them. The act, the memory, and the portrait always makes me smile.