Artist paints picture of fair face-painting tradition
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FAIRMONT -- At the Martin County Fair, happening now through Sunday, Face Painting and Henna Tattoo Designs by Kandice has been adding a splash of color for approximately 22 years.
"It's good so far," remarked artist Kandice Amundson, who is also a Fairmont High School art teacher. "I love coming out here because I get to see students of mine currently, former students. I get to see a lot of people that you don't usually get to see normally around town, so you get to visit a little bit between face painting and henna tattooing."
In addition to being involved in 4-H growing up, Amundson made it a tradition to attend the Martin County Fair with her family, especially when her son and daughter were little. At the time, she cited a need for something for children to do and something affordable; therefore, she introduced her stand, which is currently in the Martin County Arena.
"I enjoy doing it, and I've always said that when I don't enjoy it, I'll stop. That hasn't happened, so I'm hoping to do this again next year, and I love seeing the kids who come back, year after year, and say, 'I got this last year', and so that is a lot of fun to see that, and, when they see me out and about, they're like, 'that's the face painter,' a couple weeks or a month after the fair, so that's always fun," Amundson said.
To prepare for the fair, Amundson makes sure she has a large supply of fresh paint and henna before she sets up and starts the week.
For $2, customers can select one of 60 various designs on the display board, from notable cartoon characters to animals. For $10 or more, depending on the design complexity, customers can also get henna tattoos.
Most recently, for two years at the Martin County Fair, Amundson has been selling hats with burned-in designs, as part of the shop she has with fellow artist Terri Linse, Acorns and Art.
Amundson said she and her daughter Hannah Petschke, who has assisted her for about 10 years, see around 100 to 150 customers per day and cap off fair weeks with around 800 customers.
Dinosaurs, unicorns and 'Spidey-Guy' are currently popular face-painting choices among customers this year.
Along with seeing people, Amundson said that she enjoys the art of face-painting and henna tattoo designs and plans to continue it at the Martin County Fair.