Makeup Artist

I worked as a Makeup Artist today. I did makeup and hair, plus created a dress out of a sheet!  Our first photo shoot in the new studio went very nicely. I did hair and makeup for two models, creating a total of three looks. It was fun to meet them and we had a very relaxed and productive time together. I enjoyed the young women and Charles and I work well together so it was fun. I ended up giving out skin care advice and makeup tips and that made me feel a little motherly, plus they really liked the looks I gave them.  That's cool by me.

Charles took a few test shots of me to get some settings on his camera yesterday.  This one was the first shot in that studio and his favorite of the group.  Sometimes the flukes are the most interesting.  I was looking at a number of antique compacts he brought with him, that one was particularly beautiful.

I now have all the gear to do mineral makeup in pretty much any color, including a custom match of an individual’s skin tone in a makeup that is actually good for the skin. I have an airbrush, and that will allow me to do airbrush makeup techniques in addition, opening up another whole world of possibility. (Once I buy the airbrush colors.) I am looking forward to seeing how all the pieces come together for this project.

One more photo of me from the other day.  Note to self:  Do not show up in a photography studio looking like you've just barely made it out of bed in the morning.  Never know when you'll be on the business end of a photographer's camera.

I have lots of costume ideas and lots of cool stuff to work with after all my shopping. There are a few things coming yet, then I can hopefully get this show on the road.  I just need some quality time in the studio, and it appears that I’ll get it in the form of a big snow storm forecasted this weekend. I love snow, but I live in Virginia… and this does not feel like a Virginia winter. I’m growing sick of being cooped up inside. I want to feel the sun on my skin and go for a jog on the golf course on a warm day. I guess it’s all just a matter of time. But isn’t it always?

Grace,
-Carmen Rose

Possibilities!

A friend of mine and I are embarking on a creative endeavor that I am VERY excited about. I’ll be doing makeup, hair and creating the costumes and my cohort Charles will do the photo shoot. Then we have a publicity stunt planned for March in conjunction with an exhibit celebrating womanhood where we’ll use the same models.

(That's Scott wearing a vintage WW2 uniform - an actual one, not a costume.  I was makeup artist for "Tuesday Mourning" a show about D-day at Normandy.)

I’ve been shooting ideas back and forth with Charles and that’s been very exciting. Bouncing ideas off of another artist is always fun for me and this happens to be more fun because he has been a trusted friend for years and it just happens that our vision has converged at a time when we both have the freedom to do something about it. That’s pretty cool.

I’ve got two models who have already signed on and I’m thrilled with them. Both of them are good friends and creative people in their own right, so the process of creating their persona is going to be a great deal of fun! I’ll keep you posted.

A tidbit from the “Call for Models” that I put out earlier today:

“Have you ever wanted to morph into a mystical creature or try on a look very different from your usual? The process will include shopping with the artist and fitting a costume at the first session. The second session will involve full makeup, hair and costume followed by a photo shoot. The final session will be a repeat of full makeup, hair and costume for a publicity stunt holding a pose in the gallery display window and then mingling in the crowd at an art opening. We expect media coverage of the event, participants may be in local television news. Participants will get digital copies of their photographs from the photo shoot for their own use.”

Now tell me, doesn’t that sound like fun?! I’ve been emailing with the woman who will write the press releases and get the TV news coverage and I’m very excited about her ideas. I’m working with another artist on the publicity stunt, she’ll be building the window display context for the models. She’s got a lot of energy for this project as well and that's so cool!

I can’t even believe the kinds of ideas that are swirling in my head on this one. I’m just trying to keep up! I’ve got to do some shopping and get some supplies ordered!

Makeover and Head Shots

My friends know that I will try just about anything, so when my friend Rachel asked if I’d consider helping her create “head shots,” I said I was interested!
I cleared a day and she came over. We started with her hair, I didn’t intend to give her a hair cut that day, but that was the way it worked out.
Then I did her makeup and we went outside for a few shots. It was a dreary overcast day but we got a few good shots outside anyway.
Later we moved inside to my quilt studio, I cleared off my design wall and set up some lights and we got to work.
I finally let her go home last evening sporting her new ‘do and I sat down to see how the photos had turned out.
It was a pleasure to work with her, she has tons of natural charm and charisma and her hair was so fun to work with!
I’m pleased that we got some good photos!
PS, the jewelry in the photos is all work I’ve created, doesn’t she make a lovely jewelry model?!
Don't you love it when the breeze helps?
Hope she likes them. It was a fun day! She's a lovely soprano, I hope these help her get the opera gigs she'd like!