Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Tucker Gossett.
Hi Katie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Twenty-eight years ago, I was part of a Young Artists and Writers group in Nashville when an event coordinator asked if anyone would be willing to face paint at a high-volume event for about 400 children. They supplied the materials, they just needed artists. The event was the Centennial NICU Reunion, and the theme was “Scooby-Doo.”
I painted for four hours, earned $40 an hour, and at the ripe old age of 21, had absolutely no idea what a NICU was.
That one event unexpectedly introduced me to a career I would fall in love with. I immersed myself in face painting, invested in professional supplies, and built a business creating artistic experiences for children and families. I often say I have the best job in the world because I get to create art, spark imagination, and help children become butterflies, superheroes, dragons, princesses, or whatever they dream of being.
It also became one of my longest-standing traditions. I’ve returned to paint at the Centennial NICU Reunion every year since… for 28 years and counting.
In 2003, everything became personal when my daughter was born at just 28 weeks, weighing only 2 lbs., 2 ozs. Suddenly, I understood firsthand what life inside a NICU was really like and connected with those families in a completely different way.
Today, the Centennial NICU Reunion means far more than another event on my calendar. It’s a chance to celebrate the resilience of these incredible children, connect with families who have walked that difficult road, and give back through art, joy, and a little bit of imagination.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Many people assume face painting is simply picking up a brush and painting a butterfly or tiger. In reality, becoming a professional face painter requires research, mentorship, years of continual education, and a significant financial investment.
Professional face painters must master cosmetic-grade, FDA-compliant, skin-safe products and invest thousands of dollars in high-quality paints, brushes, sponges, sanitation supplies, tents, tables, lighting, marketing, and display materials. The artistry is only one part of the profession.
COVID-19 brought our industry to a standstill almost overnight. Events disappeared, income vanished, and many artists left the profession. When celebrations returned, we adapted to higher sanitation standards while helping families reconnect after years of isolation. Face painting became about more than art; it became a small way to restore joy and normalcy.
Being a professional face painter is a blend of fine art, live performance, customer service, child psychology, entrepreneurship, and adaptability. After 28 years, what still inspires me most is watching a child look in the mirror and light up with wonder. For a few magical hours, they don’t just wear face paint… they become the hero, princess, dragon, butterfly, or superhero they’ve imagined. Being part of that transformation is a privilege I’ll never take for granted.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve spent a lot of my life feeling “less than” because I don’t have a college degree or make a lot of money. My bank account isn’t exactly brag-worthy.
But here’s what I do know:
I get invited back, year after year, to spend time with children, adults, and seniors who light up when they see me again.
I’ve had celebrities stand in line to get a moment of MY time.
I’ve painted children who have survived unimaginable loss like fire victims who just want to feel like a regular kid for a moment so they can step back into the world without being judged.
I’ve eagerly painted sparkly unicorns on boys and the fiercest monsters on girls because I believe kids deserve the freedom to express exactly who they are without labels, limits, or judgment.
I gave an 80-year-old woman the chance to be eight again, to smile a little wider, laugh a little lighter, and reconnect with a piece of herself that time hadn’t taken, just tucked away.
I’ve invited little artists into my world letting them play, paint me, and explore their creativity because you never know where a spark might lead.
At the end of my life, I won’t measure it by what sat in my bank account or my accolades. I’ll measure it by the moments, the joy, the comfort, the human connection and how many small, meaningful imprints I left on the hearts of the people I was lucky enough to meet.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
One of the things I love most about working in Nashville is that no two days are ever the same. One weekend I might be painting at a children’s hospital or women’s correctional facility, where art brings a little joy and connection. The next, I’m meeting musicians or celebrities I’ve admired for years.
Not every event is easy, though. Some clients have high expectations or challenging personalities, but being a professional means treating everyone with kindness and making every child and client feel welcome, special and seen.
Over the past 28 years, face painting has introduced me to people from every background and walk of life. It’s taught me that creativity, Southern hospitality, and a little imagination can bridge almost any difference.
That’s why I love living and working in Music City. Nashville is always surprising me, every event brings a new story, and after nearly three decades, I could probably fill an autobiography with the adventures this career has given me… I’m just waiting for my TED Talk opportunity.
Pricing:
- $150/hr
- 2-hour minimum booking
- $50 deposit due at the time of booking
Contact Info:
- Website: https://citywideart.weebly.com/
- Instagram: @citywideart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HyubWYnvV/
