When Betsy Kemper is working behind the counter at a Westlake-area boutique, she said she often recognizes the customers who enter, though they might not recognize her. After more than two decades of performing at local birthday parties and civic events as Doodlebug the Clown, Kemper said she has seen a generation of Austin children grow up.
“People don’t always realize I’m Doodlebug,” Kemper said. “They’ve seen me as someone else, not as [Betsy].”
Kemper said as one of the first female clowns in Austin, she started entertaining as Doodlebug at children’s birthday parties in 1993. She said when she started, most other clowns were working with companies or circuses but she was one of the first individual clowns.
“I was underemployed and wanted to be self-employed,” she said. “I’m from a family of entrepreneurs. I already loved arts and crafts, and being a clown let me combine all the things I loved.”
Her entrepreneurial spirit extends to her daughter—Sanctuary owner Hanna Curran. Kemper said she works at her daughter’s shop at 3663 Bee Caves Road, Austin, a few days a week. The store sells women’s and children’s clothing, jewelry, gifts and household items. Kemper’s artistic side motivated her to design some of the T-shirts and baby clothes sold in the shop, she said.
Though Kemper lives in Barton Hills, she said nearby West Lake Hills feels like a second home.
“Westlake was always part of my main bases,” she said. “I’ve done so many things in this area from birthday parties to church events, working with day cares and businesses.”
Since she started clowning, Kemper said she has seen the business grow locally and that there are “tons of clowns” now. She said Doodlebug the Clown stands out for the longevity and relationships she has built.
“When I first started, I went to conventions to learn how to do everything,” Kemper said. “There weren’t YouTube videos to watch.”
Doodlebug offers balloon animals, face painting, storytelling and magic. Kemper said she does not do as many birthday parties now and is focusing on larger events such as business parties.
Doodlebug also performs at the Austin Country Club every Friday for family night, an event Kemper said has grown from just three children the first night to more than 100 children weekly.
Her favorite memories as Doodlebug range from leading a congo line on stilts with former U.S. Rep. J.J. Pickle to sharing clowning with her mother.
“My mom used to tell me I needed to get a real job,” Kemper said. “She didn’t understand clowning. I took her to a show, and she saw for the first time how much fun the kids had. I think she got it then.”
www.doodlebugtheclown.com 512-707-3942
