Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Hi, I’m Manu Taboada — an artist, illustrator, face painter, and creative facilitator based in Brisbane, Australia.
My work sits at the intersection of art, play, and wellbeing. I believe creativity is not just something we do, but something we experience — a powerful way to express ourselves, connect with others, and feel more at ease in the world.

Through my art parties and creative workshops, I create welcoming, fun and relaxed environments where children can explore materials, colours, and ideas freely — without pressure, expectations, or the need to “get it right”.
Whether it’s a painting party, a collage workshop, or a hands-on creative session, my focus is always on:
Alongside my live work, I’m also an illustrator, picture book creator and surface designer.
I write and create illustrations for picture books, patterns, and art-led products, often inspired by nature, storytelling, and a sense of whimsy. My visual style is expressive and tactile, with a love for colour, texture, and hand-drawn marks.
Illustration allows me to tell visual stories, sometimes poetic — ones that linger, invite imagination, and grow with the viewer.
My face painting work is another way I bring art into moments of fun and celebration.
I approach face painting as a form of wearable illustration — playful, expressive, and thoughtfully designed. From festivals, pubs and markets to birthday parties, corporate and community events, I aim to create designs that feel magical, imaginative, and joyful, while always being gentle, inclusive, and child-centred.
For me, face painting is about more than a design — it’s about creating a moment of wonder.
At the heart of everything I do is a deep respect for creativity as a human need — especially for children. Whether I’m painting faces, facilitating a workshop, or illustrating a story, my aim is always the same: to create meaningful, joyful creative experiences that feel safe, inclusive, and genuinely fun.
If you’re here looking for a creative experience for your child, a celebration filled with colour and wonder, or illustrated work that tells a story — you’re in the right place.
I do this work because it brings me joy — and because I see how powerful joyful creativity can be for children. I am at my happiest when I’m making art, especially when I’m making art with children: when they’re immersed in colour, laughter, and imagination, and when I see that spark of pride in their eyes. That moment might come from painting a true little masterpiece, from immersing ourselves in a colourful story book, or from being “turned into” their favourite superhero, a butterfly, or a unicorn.
At the heart of my practice is fun — the kind that feels free, playful, and deeply affirming.
It’s about colours and sparkles, yes, but even more about wonder: creating moments where children feel confident, creative, and completely themselves.
This is my centre.
This is what I’m best at, and what I’m here for.

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