18/05/2026
Today, Rainbow Thumb turns 11 years old — a milestone beyond a decade of colourful smiles, creativity, and connection.
I started as an amateur face painter, a wannabe artist without formal fine arts education, relying mostly on my natural love for art and the sketching talent inherited from my mother.
When Rainbow Thumb Face Painting became a business, I was honest with my first Filipino and Northern Beaches clients that I was a beginner and still unsure if this path was truly for me. What I did know was that I loved making children and families happy.
For just $5 per face painted, I already felt fulfilled, surrounded by love and acceptance from every customer I met. Year after year, many became loyal clients, and because of their kindness and support, I worked hard to improve my skills and build Rainbow Thumb into a professional yet budget-friendly service so more families could afford memorable celebrations.
To all my past Northern Beaches clients — especially the amazing mums (diana Diana Salunga, Fideliz Cruz ) who believed in me — thank you for helping me step out of my comfort zone and change my life.
To the amazing Australian face and body paint artists especially Amy Grigg who trained and inspired me through workshops, thank you for teaching me how to set a high bar of standards in this industry. Learning among the advanced artists showed me how I can achieve the techniques and strokes, to always never give up and appreciate the small and big achievements I've made and see how far I've come.
Much gratitude to Yabadoo Kids Parties for welcoming me into the entertainment world in Sydney. Working alongside such talented performers and handling large events taught me grace under pressure and gave me confidence I still carry today.
And to my wonderful clients and event managers in Coffs Harbour — thank you for embracing me and my talent so warmly. Every booking has always felt more personal than business. The hugs, kindness, and hearing children say, “This is my best birthday ever,” continue to touch my heart deeply.
Even after 11 years, I still sometimes struggle with imposter syndrome. Face painting is far more than paint on faces — it demands constant creativity, innovation, and imagination. There are countless artists I admire and learn from every day, and they continue to inspire me to grow.
I once thought writing would be my Ikigai, but I now believe face painting holds my heart, soul, and purpose.
Cheers to more decades of colourful smiles and laughter.
