NEWPORT professional fairy and ukulele group founder Alison Dew has a passion for sparking smiles.

But she might end up painting one on if it’s too hard to do it herself.

She’s been face painting for about 10 years and now uses her ukulele to ignite passion in music lovers.

“It’s light and it’s easy to transport ... people really like the ukulele,” she said.

She’s been running the Newport Ukulele Group for about two years and has been playing ukulele for about five years.

“It’s easy to get around, get your fingers around. I’m a classical guitarist, that was in my past, it was too much practice,” she said.

The Newport mother of three thought the ukulele was a perfect instrument which didn’t require quite so much work.

Mrs Dew, also known as Fairy Alison, uses her two skills of face painting and ukulele in her job as a children’s performer.

“I can be a cat, a mermaid, or a pirate, whatever people request I’ll just do it. It depends what the gig is and I’ll get the costume organised,” she said.

Mrs Dew said her children took her fantastic career in their stride.

“I’ve always done it, they take it for granted,” she said.

“They’ve had it all their lives and they will probably pick up an instrument later on.”

About six people get together weekly for a twang and what they lack in polish they make up in passion. Interested budding musicians can attend the Newport Ukulele Group on Thursday at 12pm at Newport Outlets Community Centre.