About

Art with a Heart: 

The Story of ColourPop Facepaint

From Advocacy to Artistry

For over 30 years, my life was dedicated to social services—working as a director, supervisor, counsellor, and foster parent for at-risk youth. It was a career built on empathy, discernment, and supporting people through their toughest moments.

Surprisingly, that is exactly where my journey as an artist serving the public began. Back in the 90s, while working with youth in a justice setting, I started painting 'temporary tattoos', on their arms to discourage unsafe behaviours (giving themselves homemade 'real' tattoos).  It became a therapeutic way to connect during special occassions or recreation time, bringing a moment of calm and creativity to a high-pressure environment.

A Legacy of Community

What started as a way to help youth soon blossomed into a lifelong passion. Since 1995, I have painted at events across Southern Ontario including local company holiday gatherings, birthday parties and at popular music concert festivals including "Edgefest". 

For many years that followed; parenting & my career in social services were the primary focus.  However, I attended a number of special events hosted by/for charities during this time. Where I volunteered my brushes for organizations close to my heart, including:

• McMaster Hospital Children’s Oncology Unit at 'Kegs 4 Cancer' 

• Children’s Aid Societies events (Over 25 years of service)

• Interval House (Supporting women and children fleeing domestic violence)

• Chance to Dance - Easter Seals 

 and the SPCA for example. 

For me, face painting has never just been a business; it was, and often still is, a way to give back. My goal has always been to use art as a tool for connection.

The ColourPop Experience

In 2018, ColourPop Facepaint officially became a registered business after taking a course with the International Face Painting School led by Olga Murasev. Today, I am proud to be recognized as one of the city's premier face and body art services. We don’t just "paint faces" ~ We provide Live Performance Art. 

• True Versatility: most events require a set menu for order & efficiency. However, when time permits, we can paint anything a guest can imagine. If you can show us a photo, we can most likely bring it to life.

• Professional Grade: We use only the highest-quality, theater-grade products and professional lighting for UV/Glow events.

• Inclusive Service: From birthday parties and music festivals to prosthetic work for film and runway, we serve all ages and abilities.

• The Little Details: A practice started from the beginning, every guest leaves with a complimentary lollipop/treat, and every birthday star receives a special gift.

Looking Forward

After retiring from social services in 2024, I’ve finally been able to give ColourPop the full-time love it deserves. I am regularly joined by my very gifted artist friend Faith, who shares my commitment to artistic expression/creativity, professionalism and kindness—allowing us to bring magic to even larger-scale events.

Being hired to paint at the local city art gallery was a milestone that validated my transition from counsellor to artist, but the real reward is simpler. 

Moving from a career of intense crisis work to something as whimsical as face painting is one of the greatest gifts of my life.

When you book ColourPop, you aren’t just getting a painter; you’re getting a professional dedicated to safety, authentic connection, and—above all—bringing a genuine smile to everyone we meet. 

Kathy