My real name is Anna Wilinski. I was born in El Paso, Texas in 1979 to my wonderful parents, Jerry and Donna Wilinski. I have a sister Jenna, who is 2 years older than me. We were raised in Kalamazoo, MI...and this is where all the clowning around began.

Clownology 1- My mom met a new parent at my school  (St. Augustine) when I was 10 years old. Her name is Jan Gibes, and her clown name was Sparkle. I had wanted to join a clown ministry to deliver helium balloons to hospitals, because I was compassionate and I loved balloons! My mom and Jan decided to put their noses together, and they started a clown ministry at my school. I remember putting on my first face...oh I looked like a watermelon cut in half!

Clownology 2- Circle of Smiles was born! My friends and I, plus some younger kids, learned all about clowning. We went to conventions in Michigan to learn from the best, and we put on shows for individual classrooms and the entire school whenever we could. It was awesome! We twisted balloons, painted faces and ran silly clown health clinics at school festivals. We sang and danced, shot ourselves out of cannons, the whole works!

Clownology 3- After I was 12 my friends clowned less, and I clowned more! My mom and I were a super team, and started entertaining for private and public parties. I took one summer off in highschool after so much clowning around! Since then I have been out on the town with my paints and balloons nearly every weekend.

Clownology 4- I honed in on my face painting skills in high school, but really went wild once I moved to California in 1999 to see if I could support myself out there with just a suitcase of clown supplies! With the help of an old time pen pal at UCLA and  wonderful people God sent in my life,   I painted and clowned all over Los Angeles county. I spent summers painting on Venice Beach and at huge flea markets and for Johnny Rebb’s restaurants. I went t o school in the fall and spring at Cerritos Community College.

Clownology 5- In 2002 I came back to Michigan, I wanted to be close to my family, especially after 9-11. I started up my own business here clowning at parks, and music festivals. By the end of the summer my face painting was taking off to mega proportions and I was becoming well known again in Kalamazoo. I specialized in full face painting because I loved to see the imagination and transformation that took place in the children and adults. Fun, bold faces created an amazing atmosphere!

Clownology 6- I formed together with my boyfriend from California to create Clash & Shy J. He was very computer literate, so he made a  website and made real business cards, and started advertising. We clowned together at Perkin's after we got married and had our daughter, Oceana. As some relationships due, ours ended, and now I run the business all by myself as Clash's K-Zoo Party Crew.  He is still in the area, but is very missed by his fans since he has stopped performing.

Clownology 7- As of now, I am attending WMU and hope to graduate soon from their Elementary Education Program! I have been in school  for 9 years, so this will be a wonderful accomplishment. I live in Vine neighborhood with my boyfriend of 1.5 years, Jeremie, and my daughter Oceana, who is turning 4 in July 2008.  I love to support my community with my services as much as I can, and be a part of so many wonderful people's lives.     I keep going back to California to paint with other artists or on my own. I have returned to paint at the OC's massive Persian Festival and even for the birthdays of some well know stars. Remember Homey the Clown? Never in my life did I think I would actually entertain in the same room as the person who played that role. (I don't condone hitting kids with socks, by the way...)   Clownology 8- After 18 years of clowning around, I still enjoy it! I am considering transitioning to being a silly artist much more than painting my face as a clown because of my whole hearted focus on the the art of face painting. Kids love me know matter how I dress, and I feel more comfortable these days being silly without the red nose!