Michelle Drake has over 20 years of face & body painting experience, and studied studio art in collage. She apprenticed with Georgia artist, Diana Thurmon for three years at the Georgia Renaissance Festival from 1992-1995. In 1996, she landed her first solo contract at the Texas Renaissance Festival(TRF) which encouraged her to move to Austin, Texas. From 1997 through 2000 she worked collectively
with Minga Almquist Williams and her mother Gaila Slaughter. From 1997-2008, while living in Austin Texas, Michelle continued to paint at various events, and eventually became the painter coordinator for Austin's Carnaval Brasilero from 2003-2010. In 2008 she returned back to Annapolis Maryland and painted for two years at her home fair, the Maryland Renaissance Festival. She has painted at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center's annual open house since 2005, The Annapolis Rotary's Annual Crab Feast, First Sunday's in downtown Annapolis and many of the events held in West Annapolis. Shannon Sterner began facepainting when she started teaching art in 2002. Happily volunteering her time for school events, she eventually grew to love the art of facepainting as well as the warm atmosphere it provides. She has a Bachelor’s of Fine Art and holds her Art Education Certificate from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Shannon specialized in watercolor paints and has combined her love of the Arts and for children in many aspects of life. You can view her art page here:https://www.facebook.com/sternerart?fref=ts