This page has an agreement for any freelance artists. Before starting with Expressions Body Art and Design, I would need you to read this and let me know if you understand and agree with freelancer expectations.

FREELANCE CO-OP DUES (NEW)

REVISED ON 1/21/2025
What are co-op dues? Like any busuiness, there needs to be a budget to do things like advertising, marketing, paying for booth fees upfront, training, website, apps, administrative work (I average 10-15 hours a week with booking, advertising, social media, invoices, quotes...etc), brand management...etc. We all play a part in helping build and maintain this business to keep it moving forward, growing and evolving. NOT TO MENTION all the time for training and coordinating efforts done by Lauren. There is a LOT behind the scenes.

I do need to point out that the other face painting business groups here in Central Illinois do have a different system set up. The artists pay 20% of retail/hourly, plus booth fees, plus "booking fee" for those jobs that are tips only...and the "owners" of those groups use this as residual income. I know WSDC makes 5K a month, or more, during their busy times, just on the percentages and fees given. While that would be nice to have, that is not what I want for this business. Any business 101 class would consider me a failure. However, what I want to build is a community, a safe space for artists to live authentically and a family that grows together. 

Last year's dues seem to have an inequity and for 2025 we will be trying something new, and I hope simplier and fair to us all. 

  • We will still have the $10/hour for HOULY (sponsored) jobs. 3 secheduled hours is $30.00. Simple.
  • For RETAIL we will have 10% of the retail total (does not include tips) with a CAP at $25.00 for the event, plus any booth fees that there may be.
  • For TIPS ONLY, you just keep it all.
  • For CURTIS ORCHARD in 2025, the RETAIL dues are still the same, but this is a different situation as I (me personally) get the 1099 on ALL the income and I am personally paying taxes on all the income made there by everybody else. SO new for 2025, at the END of the season at CURTIS I will need 10% of the total (tokens) you made so I can save it to pay for taxes. So please set that aside, that will be due at the end of October. I will let each of you know how much is due. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM with this and you don't want to be assigned to any jobs at Curtis Orchard, just let me know. NO PROBLEM on my end, I just need to even things out for my taxes/finances. 

Any Co-Op Dues will be due at the end of each month, no later than the 5th of the next month, and are based on your honesty and your organization to the expectations above. Venmo @hollejo, cash or checks are fine. Whatever works out best for you. IF THERE IS NOTHING DUE AT THE END OF THE MONTH, I STILL NEED THAT FORM FILLED OUT TO SAY 'zero' PLEASE!

Booth Fees: There are times that there will be a booth fee involved. Booth fees will be shared among all who are working that event. For example: a $100.00 booth fee for a 8 hour event and there are 4 people working that event. That booth fee will be divided up by each person and each person will be responsible for $25.00 of that fee. Most of the time, Expressions will pay for the booth fees ahead of time, and that will be a reimbursement in your monthly dues. If there is a booth fee, that will be communicated ahead of time!!! Nothing will be last minute or something you were not aware of.

Google Drive Dues Form: Video 1
Google Drive Dues Form: Video 2

ONBOARDING TRAINING (NEW)

While the onboarding process does not pay, so there is about 16 hours of time and committment to get trained, what you learn in those 16 hours is priceless. Lauren and I are working hard to get a solid beginning and intermediate training established. (Lauren mostly) and soon there will be workshops to add more value to all of our talents and skills...this is a lot of work to do on both ends. Please know that the time committment is valuable and completing the training will allow you to be on the schedule to earn money and bring joy. (It's REALLY FUN!!!)

  • 8 hours of In Person Training
    • Google Classroom Work Online
  • 2 hours of Event Simulation
  • 6 hour of Job Shadowing

RENTAL KITS (UPDATED)

If you do not have the supplies yet for what service you are providing (glitter tattoos, hair tinsel) there are "rental kits" until you are able to create your own. This includes all the glitter stenciles needed for the event. 

  • $25.00/day

OTHER JOBS OR LEADS (UPDATED)

If you use your own supplies...you are not expected to tell me what you do with your own time or talents. I am not the "face painting Godfather". It is YOUR supplies, YOUR time, YOUR talents....YOUR life. I get it. If you can share events with me, I can advertise, add to the calendar and add to the website. The collaboration and communication is much appreciated. 

You will be asked for quotes on services, I want you to be able to answer that yourself. I have created a QR code to a page on the website that is NOT public facing so they can scan it and have the answers they need. All the prices are the same and the travel fees are logical by milage. [https://expressionsbodyartdesign.com/service-rates/] AGAIN, KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE! Each artist will have this. I will also have a booking form QR code as well, that page IS public facing but nice to just have them scan something, always just keeping things simple. 

If you get leads while at your event, I would appreciate the forward back to Expressions. I want to create a culture that we all help each other and make life as drama free as possible. I want to grow WITH you all, but I am not going to police your actions or worry about your intentions. This will be a close community and family of creative artists. DRAMA FREE ZONE!!!

I work hard to bring in jobs for everybody, and I hope that you all feel the same way about bringing work back to Expressions. 

TEAM LEADS (NEW)

I want to offer a chance for leadership roles within our group. If there is a Team Lead assigned, it will be on the calendar included with the information. What does a Team Lead mean:

    1. In charge of communication to client AFTER I loop the assigned artists into the fold. ONLY the TEAM LEAD needs to communicate to them. If you are assigned on that event and have a question, ask the team lead. 
    2. Communicates with the assigned artists to: coordinate rides, set up meeting time, IF NECESSARY, make sure that and apparel needs to match, and offers reminders of clothing expectations if an outside event. 
    3. IF A TENT SET UP is necessary, communicates to the artist crew about what to bring in regard to signs, supplies, tent kits, chairs, tables, anything "extra" for the event. 
    4. Meets and greets the client, makes sure (if hourly) the other artists have been paid, thanks the client at the end of the event. 
    5. Report events back to Holly via TEXT AND fills out the EVENT FORM by the end of that day (the day of the event). 
    6. Sets expectations for event. This may include starting the discussion on how money/tips/set up or backup services need to be handled. It is always expected to have and maintain your own payment and tip jars UNLESS mutually agreed upon by ALL the artists. 
    7. Opens and closes the line / works with line management.

SUPPLIES

If you are looking to stock up your own supplies, I can help guide you to places or products that will be most cost efficient to help you build up your stock. 

FACE PAINTING

Basic supplies you will need for face painting:

Expressions will supply:

  • Apron
  • Name tag
  • Payment laminated sign
  • Prices laminated sign
  • Closed laminated sign
  • On a Break laminated sign
  • Artist's name laminated sign
  • Tips gig laminated sign
  • Any other promotions or signage needed for a specific event
  • Faces (laminated) for advertising

Upgraded face painting supplies:

GLITTER TATTOOS

Glitter Tattoo Stencils: You can get the tattoo stencils from Expressions. Holly, Lauren and Karen have vinyl cutters. They cost 50 cents each on the websites listed above. You can either bring us vinyl (Oracel 631) or pay 10 cents a stencil.  I hope you do not mind working with me on this, however you are welcome to buy them on your own from those sources if you wish, but I would like to have similar inventory!

Avoid the Amazon ones, we have learned from experience they can be hit or miss in quality. It will be nice if we all offer the same ones, but again, I will not be monitoring that. I want to offer the supplies to you at such a honest/reasonable cost that makes it easy for us to keep the same inventory. Consistency is key! 🙂 

Glitter Tattoo Supplies:

Expressions will supply:

  • Apron
  • Name tag
  • Payment laminated sign
  • Prices sign
  • Closed sign
  • On a Break sign
  • Artist's name sign
  • Tips gig sign
  • Any other promotions or signage needed for a specific event

Additional face glitter supplies:

  • XBanner Sign
  • Services Tent Banner Sign
  • Chairs (at least 2)
  • Table
  • Business Card holder (optional)
  • Baby Wipes (.98 cents at WalMart in the baby section)

HAIR TINSEL

For hair tinsel, we can discuss that in person.

INSURANCE POLICY / W9 FILES (UPDATED)

You will need a basic face painting/any form of body art liability policy. When you get that, please send me a COI (Certificate of Insurance) so I can also have that on file. 

I will also need a current W9 on file. Here is the PDF. Fill this out and send it back to me each year. Not every job will need or ask for one, but when they do, I will have it on hand. 

TRAINING & MEETINGS (NEW)

Lauren Lowell is our training coordinator. 
We will have TWO mandatory meetings a year...one for Summer Kick Off and one for Winter Wrap Up. Those will be on the calendar. As for training sessions, those will be mostly in the winter/early spring months. Again, they will be on the calendar and invites will be sent out. 

SIGNAGE (UPDATED)

I will give all freelance artists basic signs/posters they will need. There will be more that can be used or purchased, up to you what you wish to use. You can order more signs here. The better the advertising, the more money you make. Nothing will be required other than the basics to help you communicate what, how much and when. PLEASE keep everything within the brand style, if you need something specifically made up just let me know. I am happy to help! 

If you need access to the brand logo in PDF, PNG or JPG format, let me know and I am happy to send it to you. 

I will also give out business cards and rack cards. I would appreciate they being displayed or handed out. 

COMMUNICATION / CHATS (NEW)

To keep communication clear and uncluttered, I have set up a BAND account: https://band.us/n/adadA5M55fkai

CALENDAR: JOB EVENTS / ARTIST AVAILABLITY

I will share the Google calendar that is set up with the jobs posted and also INVITE you to the job that is assigned to you....all event details will be on that calendar. There is also an artist availability calendar for each freelancer to block off the time they are NOT available. 

EVENT FEEDBACK (UPDATED)

After each job I have a feedback form that I need filled out. This is important to do at the END OF THE DAY for each event. This helps me determine what event to continue with, if it was staffed correctly and general overall information that will help us with which event we attend. If there is a Team Lead for the event, it's their job to communicate the feedback as one voice. 

ARRIVAL TIME (UPDATED)

Setting up is not part of the paid schedule time. I ask that you get there between 30-45 minutes early to park, unload, set up and be ready to go by the start time. For tent set ups, please add EXTRA time to unload and set up. 

WHAT TO WEAR (UPDATED)

I will give you an apron with pockets in front and the logo on the top. That is yours to wash and keep. As for what else, that is up to you, unless there are specific jobs that require a certain dress, those will be told you to ahead of time. I ask that politics, religion and social opinion apparel NOT be worn. I want to remain inclusive, and that means open minded to things we may not understand or support personally. So best to just keep things as neutral as possible. Look nice and appropriate. 

Everybody will get a blue and a black t-shirt. But if you want more let me know. You can put your order in this way OR you can bring me what you want to have the logo put on. JUST the logo (front/back or both) is $5.00. I would PREFER Royal Blue, Black, Spring Green or a Heather/Sports Gray....BUT other colors are okay too. 

DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC

Dealing with the public is sometimes stressful. We will have to practice as much patience and understanding as we can...however if you are being insulted or talked down to, by ALL MEANS you CAN refuse to provide a service to that person or group. DO NOT TAKE CRAP just because they "are customers" and this is an inclusive company. Inclusive does not mean abusive behavior is tolerated. I have your back on any decision you chose to make that is best for YOU!

ALSO, we do NOT paint faces under 3 OR to crying children because mom or dad is making them. That kid has rights. And you want a POSITIVE experience for that child. Each situation will be different, do you best to navigate thru it. If you want to talk it out after, please, call me!

With that said, you will experience all sorts of personality types. And physical restrictions. As you work with the individuals in your chair please be as respectful and patient as possible. 

If there are any thoughts or suggestions on how things can be run or done better,
I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!