We are putting together a convention designed to ease your fears, help you network and make new friends, and learn from some of the most talented instructors from all around the world!

I believe it is VERY IMPORTANT for everyone to feel comfortable and a part of the group before any real learning can start. We will be putting together an ‘icebreaker’ that will provide you with instant networking contacts and help you find your true self so you can find your wings and FLY!

When I attended my first convention in 2002 I thought I was a ‘pretty good painter’. THEN I saw the awesome work of some of the best painters in the world and I thought I was way out of my league!

Robbie Hay is from Columbus, Ohio. She is a face painter, body painter, glitter tattoo artist, henna artist,  teacher,and author of the book” Facepainting for Fun and Profit”.

She owns the Caricature Artist’s Fun Factory, a full service entertainment agency. Robbie face paints at many major festivals in Ohio including the Ohio Renaissance Festival, and the Columbus Arts Festival.

She has won awards in face and body painting. -awarded in Seeboten, Austria, the World Body Painting Festival, 2006 -awarded in Albuqurie, New Mexico in 2006 and 2007. -awarded in Orlando, Florida, International Face and Body Painting Convention,2005. -painted for Tuaca Body Art Ball Robbie’s son Jason is a Caricature artist, her son Aaron” Dizzy Doc” is a master Balloonist and going to China this fall, and David plays Santa in December.

Class Description:
A Fine Art Photograph is not a snapshot.  The artist photographer looks for and arranges elements and principles of design in their compositions just as one would select nouns, verbs and all the parts of language as a writer.  In fact, the very word “photography is made of of “photo” meaning light, and graphy which means writing.  So clearly a photograph is indeed writing with light instead of with a pen.  Find out what it takes to become a fine art photographer from John Ker who has been a student and teacher of fine art and photography for more than 34 years.   Learn to see things you never even realized were there in front of you all the time.  He will amuse and educate you and perhaps even motivate you to take your images to a more advanced and elegant level.

Biography:

John W. Ker Grew up in upstate New York
Awarded “Most Artistic” Graduating class 1961
Worked as Graphic Artist, Negative Stripping and Darkroom Camera Work. University Press, 1961-1965
Publications Editor and Department manager, Geneva Switzerland, 1965-1967.  Graduated B.Y.U. with Fine Art major, French minor and Life Teaching Credential, 1968.  Teacher, Carbon H.S. and Life Drawing Instructor, College of Eastern Utah:  1969.  Moved to Los Angeles, Art Teacher, Dept. Head and Adult Evening Classes 1968 to 2002.   Majority of assignment was as Photography Instructor but other courses taught include Art History, Drawing, New Media and also served as Yearbook Production Manager.   He has received Numerous industry awards including American “R” best photograph, and Finalist Award for Information Producers of America.  Nominated numerous times for “Teacher of the Year” and selected five times as Student Body Favorite Teacher. 

His experience has been sought by many professionals like Dean Collins (lighting articles for Petersen’s Magazine and Barry Koper (out of the kit) Make-Up Magazine.  His passion for the photographic image has only increased with time and experience.  It remains the only way someone else can see exactly what you saw through the lens. 

JK is presently publishing “BodyPaint” an out of print book written by Patrick Leis of Denmark.  This new release in English (not Danish as first published) will be first available here in the Las Vegas show and for a show special price of $10.00 off the published price.  He also hopes to offer “Photography as a Fine Art”, notes on CD from which his classes will be based. 

He now spends his time in Lovely Kagel Canyon outside Los Angeles restoring an estate built in the early 30s. living with his goat Huckleberry and taking any opportunity to travel and photograph this beautiful planet.

John Reid wears many hats – to begin with, he is the owner of Tricky Business magic shop. He has been an independent business owner for over 12 years, in addition to producing the internationally renowned Cresey Product line. Check out www.cresey.com to see the stunning array of coils, streamers, and more that John and his company produce.
   
John is also an internationally award winning balloon twister. He took 1st place in medium sculpture at the 2010 Twist and Shout Balloon competition. John’s detailed and original sculptures are a hit with children of all ages, and his larger installations have wowed crowds across the country at venues as diverse as movie premieres, trade shows, and even the White House!
   
As if that weren’t enough, John is also an accomplished magician. His magic delights audiences at schools, libraries, corporate events, and private parties along the east coast.

In addition, for 13 years John has been a lead instructor at Tannens magic camp the longest running magic camp in the country. His workshops have the highest number of repeat students of any instructor at the camp. He is also a featured presenter for Teach By Magic, a program that teaches teachers to engage their students using magic.

Born in Los Angeles, Brian began his balloon career while studying theater in college and dabbled in magic after attending a work shop at the Mystery School in Las Vegas.
He began to take his balloons & magic to the next level and named himself the Ballusionist “Balloon/illusionist.” Over the years Brian has performed for celebrities like Kevin Smith (Clerks, Malrats & Dogma), Ali Later (Heroes), Jenna Elfman (Dharma & Greg), & James Pankow (Chicago), and has also made appearances on VH1′s “New York Goes to Work” & TLC’s “The Unpoppables”.  Brian has taught balloon sculpting at the LA Balloon Academy and at various workshops in New Jersey & Florida.  He has also helped with the completion of Rochester, NY’s Balloon Manor & Ohio’s Balloon Farm.  You can find Brian’s appearance schedule found at www.ballusionist.com

http://www.glimmerbodyart.us/

Biography

Macky is the owner of Glimmer Body Art, the Los Angeles based manufacturer of glitter tattoo supplies. He also runs a premiere glitter tattoo entertainment service business in Los Angeles. His team, the Glimmer Girls, have painted customized tattoos at high profile events like the Simpsons 20th Anniversary Party, the Teen Choice Awards After-Party and LA Kings games.

Macky has been instructing people in the art of hand painted glitter tattoos since 2007. His classes are focused on how his students can replicate Glimmer’s success in the glitter tattoo service business. His degree in business management and five years of marketing and sales management experience at Proctor and Gamble have allowed him to create business development programs and products that have made Glimmer Body Art an international sensation.

Macky continues to innovate on products and programs to promote glitter tattoos as a major player in the body art industry.

Gary Cole
http://www.snazaroo.com/

Biography

Gary Cole, owner of Snazaroo USA, Inc., Is a world traveler, teaching thousands of new artists how to face paint Gary has taught classes all over North America, the UK, Mexico and many other countries. He is the host of the popular www.snazaroo.us website and forum where you can browse thousands of photos of design ideas from painters worldwide.

Gary lives in Dallas Texas, where he runs Party Faces, Inc., a well-known face painting company catering to parties, festivals and other events. He is the Guiness World Speed Painting record holder for painting 217 full faces in one hour. He loves sharing his knowledge of the face painting world with aspiring artists, as well as, the seasoned professional.

Please make sure to visit Gary in the vendor room a the Snazaroo table where he will be demonstrating his large line of products.

Biography:
Ryan Lavallee is one of those guys that you’ve probably never heard of, that’s okay he doesn’t get out to many conventions these days due to a full schedule. Facepainters only know him as “Ashley Pickins boyfriend”.  He’s taken the “neat hobby” into his full time job of over 5 years now.  He can make big, crazy balloon stuff but the majority of his stuff is geared towards your everyday gigs. Take a class or two and add a few new things to your repertoire that your clients will love.

http://www.twistedentertainment.com

Convention Class Details:
1. cool boy balloon designs.  

2. girl balloon designs. 

3. combination class with Ryan and John on going large with custom sculptures for decor and party add-ons.  

Biography:
Dustin Queary grew up watching his mom twist balloons. When he turned 15 he decided to try it himself and the rest is history. Dustin is considered a balloon prodigy having already traveled all over the world with for his balloons in the past 4 years and producing 6 DVD’s that are sold in three continents. He has also won several prestigious awards in the balloon industry. He is known for coming up with new designs on the spot and for creating new techniques. The best part about this young man is that he is still humble and friendly and loves to meet new people and aspiring new artist.