{"id":1906,"date":"2020-01-22T15:41:12","date_gmt":"2020-01-22T15:41:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/?page_id=1906"},"modified":"2022-08-16T10:10:39","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T10:10:39","slug":"performer-spotlight-loopy-la","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/performer-spotlight-loopy-la\/","title":{"rendered":"Performer Spotlight: Loopy La"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Get To Know Laura <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Laura Quilty AKA Loopy La is a talented Face Painter and Balloon Modeler, and mum of three, originally from Templeogue, Dublin.  We spoke to Laura about her background, her art, and her thoughts on the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quickfire Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What is your background?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I went to a Technical College to study art for a year when I finished school. I had lots of jobs throughout my life, working also in Paris, London and Australia, but I also continued to study along the way \u2013 doing various courses in graphic design and web design at night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the majority of my working life, I worked in 98FM and had various roles, the final one being a web designer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you always been creative\/artistic?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes,  I\nhave always loved anything creative. It’s such a big part of who I am \u2013 be it,\ndrawing, painting, making costumes, cake designing or my most recent project \u2013\nlearning guitar, which I really love. No matter what I am doing I always find a\nway of bringing art into my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did you get into face painting and kid\u2019s entertainment?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When my youngest child started school, I wanted to do something. I spent a year doing different projects in her school \u2013 one of them being a giant mural with my friend Kim in the schoolyard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My brother had asked me to do a face painting gig and I was so unsure – I had done face painting in the past but it was years ago and Face painting had moved on so much. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I bit the bullet and did the gig. I was beyond nervous but it turned out I really enjoyed it and thought \u2018hmmm\u2026 I could do this!\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did anyone inspire or help you along the way?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning I was so nervous and always afraid I wasn’t any good but all the great face painters I worked with over the years inspired me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were patient, encouraging, gave me tips on my kit and on how to improve. My sister Nicola also inspired me as she is a fantastic person for just doing things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So in the beginning even though I was nervous I would say “just do it”. I think fear stops people doing things!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Loopy
Picture By Loopy La<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And how did it become a business?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It was totally\norganic, I just started doing gigs and I started getting calls. I then hooked\nup with PartyWizz and got more calls!  I\nalso work for another company that gets me some corporate work. So, between all\nthat I’m kept pretty busy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes a good face painter?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You really need to love it. If you don’t it shows. And, I think you really have to like children and be able to relate to them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You must be patient, kind and \u2018Smiley\u2019. You also have to know what faces children like and what\u2019s topical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes you different as a face painter?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I have my own character name ‘Loopy La’ which allows me to be a little whacky. I designed my own dress and made it with my sister Mary.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don’t stick to set designs for my face painting and I am always open and willing to try anything that’s thrown at me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I even painted a company logo on a bald head at one event! I am always trying to be a better face painter \/ Balloon Modeller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your favourite kind of gigs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I like all\ndifferent types of gigs but the ones that I really love are the ones I can\nspend lots of time with the children and get to know them, and spend time doing\nreally good quality face painting and balloons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So why do you love what you do and what keeps you doing it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Seriously! What’s not to love! I’m my own boss – I can work my schedule around to suit children, so I can be at home if they are sick etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I get to do art all the time. There is always room to get better so you are constantly challenged. I get to work with children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I meet all different sorts of people and go to all different events. Oh\u2026 and I get complimented at every gig I do. What job gives you that!?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have any particularly memorable gig?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of my most memorable gigs was one that I did for a little girl called Eimear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, she wasn’t so little \u2013 probably 10 and the children at the party weren’t overly interested in getting painted but she adored it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I ended up painting her face, her neck and up both of her arms and she was such a beautiful spirit. She loved art and we just clicked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was so impressed that she didn’t want to just fit in – she wanted to stand out! I put her pic up on my Instagram @loopyla_facepainting_balloons and she wore her paint with such pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell us something we wouldn’t know about you?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When I was\nlittle I painted myself black with airfix paint because I wanted to be black\nbeauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you give us some of your top tips to people for hosting kids\nparties?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Keep it simple\nbut organised. Get an entertainer and some food and the kids will take care of\nthe rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Has anything changed in terms of the industry in the time you’ve been doing it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The standard\nis improving all the time. The Face Painting and Balloon art is stunning now.\nIt’s a good thing, it makes us want to be better!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s your favourite joke?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Q:<\/strong> What do you call a bear with no teeth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A:<\/strong> A gummy Bear<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you think of PartyWizz?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I think it’s fantastic. As a parent, it’s a one stop shop \u2013 it takes the hassle out of finding a good, reliable and high-end entertainer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an entertainer, it is so efficient. I get an email to check my availability and the system lets the client know and it takes care of all the payment. Excellent!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interested in booking Loopy La?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re interested in having Loopy La entertain your guests at your next party, you can book her directly through her entertainer profile for family shows<\/a>, corporate events<\/a>, weddings<\/a> or private parties<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Loopy<\/a><\/span>