Our January Artist Highlight winner, Sara Grace Luongo, founder of LOST in Art Face Painting, has been an artist her entire life. Creativity is not just something she does — it is a part of who she is and always has been.
“Art is my passion. It started out when I was young with scrapbooking and painting and then as I got older, I became a licensed makeup artist.”
However, the road Sara has traveled has been far from easy. She has endured unimaginable loss and overcame countless challenges — yet through it all, she persevered. It is truly beautiful to see how her creativity continued to grow and blossom even after tragedy.
“When I was 18, I was in a horrible car accident in which I lost my two best friends who were in the front seat. I was in the hospital for 6 months and broke almost every bone in my body. I didn’t walk or move my arms for 2 years and had to do a lot of physical therapy in order to learn back all the skills I did in school and academy.”
During and after this time, Sara discovered face painting — a medium that would become a defining part of her artistic journey.
“I am a self-taught face painter and have learned so much from watching face painters all around the country.”
After discovering face painting and becoming a mother, Sara made the life-changing decision to fully pursue her passion and step into the role of a full-time face painter.
“Doing so changed my life… I have been a professional face painter for almost 15 years now and I’m super proud of the business that I have built!”
Throughout this chapter of her life, Sara faced even more trials and hardships.
“I lost my mother who was my best friend to breast cancer in 2022 and was diagnosed myself in 2019… in 2023 I had a double mastectomy as I carry the BRCA gene and promised my mother during her last days that I would do so.”
Despite everything she endured, Sara continued to push forward. Just three weeks after her double mastectomy, she was back to face painting.
“I am very driven and face painting and working is the only time I truly feel at peace.”
Even after all she has faced, Sara continues to find joy in every aspect of face painting and in the connections she makes through her work.
“I work very well with special needs children and people in general and have been given the nickname the face paint whisperer… In Louisiana we have Mardi Gras season and I have only lived in the state for the past 5 years but have really started to make a name for myself there and this year’s Mardi Gras I have so many bookings it is insane!”
When it comes to her setup, Sara found exactly what she needed with Craft-n-Go.
“I used to use makeup bags and then I switched to a kitchen camping table but then I came across Craft-n-Go. I wanted one from the second I saw them online! I love no matter what job I’m at to display all my paints and glitters — well not all of them as I am sort of a hoarder with face paints and products — but I love the way that my Craft-n-Go keeps everything in place and helps everything flow a lot more smoothly, especially since I do more public events and festivals which we have a lot of in Louisiana.”
“I love the way the parents and children/any guests who come under my booth look at it in awe!!!”
Sara’s story is truly remarkable. Enduring such hardship and loss is never easy, yet she has shown incredible resilience and has found joy, purpose, and peace through her art.
Sara, thank you so much for sharing your story with us. It is deeply inspiring, and we know it will resonate with the entire Craft-n-Go community. You are incredibly strong and resilient, and we wish you nothing but continued success as you create joy — one painted smile at a time.
If you would like to be our next Artist Highlight winner and have the chance to receive a $50 Store Credit at Craft-n-Go, send us your story with a few fun photos to contact@craftngo.com.