INTERNATIONAL MAKE UP ARTIST 1: KANDEE JOHNSON

Dear Teachers,

Welcome to my Assignment Blog.

I have selected three different make up artists whom encapsulate talent and style that I find inspiring and incredible.  In some way, each artist has done something to make me want to explore the use of makeup further as well as pursue a career in it myself.  

For each artist, I have made a blog post.  They detail a little about the artist's experience/history, where information has been possible to glean, their style or what they are known for, a video if possible showing their work in action, and a small gallery of photos displaying their work.

For my first post, I have selected Kandee Johnson.

Why?

Because she is one of the reasons why I joined this course, to be completely honest.  Her online channel, which I discovered a few years ago, introduced me to colourful and comprehensive videos revealing the full potential of make up artistry when done well (in ways I didn't even know were possible), and ideas and concepts and looks made accessible with easy to find products should you want to find them, and easy to learn application techniques.

She was always going to be my first choice to write about - not only a ubiquitous make up internet sensation, but also a professional celebrity make up artist for much of her life, and which she continues to do, when she isn't on the road doing a demonstration, assisting a stylist or updating one of her online blogs or channels.  Importantly, she is a seasoned artist, with lots of industry expertise and a vast amount of product knowledge under her belt, so one feels comfortable trusting in her judgement and suggestions.

Kandee made me realise just how much you do with a versatile skill set, an arsenal of quality products (even on a budget) and just how important positive self image is in a world bombarding us with imagery and slogans of how a woman is meant to look.  Kandee's vibrant videos often include her reaching out to viewers with uplifting anecdotes and how to guides which are used to help women realise that beauty comes in many different looks, and how to best emphasise yours, and how to never fear trying out something new - because it might suit you and change your world, and your perspective of yourself, forever.

For a bit of background:

• Kandee Johnson is a US based artist and that is where most of her work is conducted.  
• She was and is primarily a celebrity make up artist, and has worked with all sorts of celebrities, ranging from talk show hosts through to A-Grade actresses making a VIP appearance.  She has done work for CBS, ABC and MTV. However, her work has appeared in commercials and print magazines too.
• Her Youtube channel, Kandee Johnson (click to visit site), is what she is recognised for globally, and what most make up fans world over, would know her by.  The channel includes tutorials on basic, natural looks through to the more elaborate contouring tips and transformation - whereby she "turns" herself into a movie character or famous celebrity using only a make up palette and a few sneaky trade tricks.

Below, I have provided two links to two of her most popular and impressive videos whereby she teaches the viewer how to turn themselves into Angelina Jolie and Edward Scissorhands.  Angelina, for the pout and high cheek bones, and Edward, for the clever use of product to achieve a more fantastical look, including the appearance of some subtle scarring, and very deep set eyes.  Again, both these vivid looks achieved without anything but make up.  It is part of what makes her so interesting and enjoyable to watch.

Angelina Jolie Transformation

Edward Scissorhands Transformation

Here are some photos displaying her versatility and style.  Always fun, fresh and with a nod to what is on trend.

NATIONAL MAKE UP ARTIST 3: Zoe Karlis

Based in Melbourne, Victoria, Zoe Karlis is a makeup artist with an extensive catalogue of work and directions - from bridal through to makeup for editorial, as well as film and TV.  Her work is bold, utilising a lot of colour and contrast, though her bridal results are flawless, understated and classical.

I selected Zoe as her background is originally overseas in London, England, before she relocated and established herself in the Australian market.  She has brought with her a strong, adaptable work ethic and has reached out to the world and the nation via youtube with many videos providing answers and advice for those make up lovers out there.  I like her attitude, resolve and that she hasn't limited herself as an artist to one look or style.  While a signature look can become a trade mark, versatility is something I personally think is important, as it translates well across mediums and ensures you think outside of the box.

A video from Youtube below on how to achieve an elegant, relatively easy, every day make up look that doesn't take too long to pull together.

And lastly, some photos which testify to her aforementioned versatility and bold use of colour.

NATIONAL MAKE UP ARTIST 2: Rachael Brook

I first read about Rachael Brook when I set about looking into make up courses and who's who of the native industry, given that most of my exposure has been to international names, such as those I selected in the International Make Up Artist segment, along with the renowned Pat McGrath and Bobbi Brown.  I was also hoping to find some tips from an established artist on what to expect becoming a makeup artist, and what is necessary to be a great one.  Rachael's blogs and interviews provided many answers that show just how mature and professional she is and illustrate what one must demand of themselves to go on and embrace this career and lifestyle.

Brook's story interests me, because she is seven years my junior and has gone on to cement herself as one of Australia's most sought after young make up artist's; she is a representation of a healthy and professional work ethic which I highly respect myself, as well as what happens when you pursue your dreams and put yourself out there.  I believe these are as critical as skill, talent and passion.

Some background:

• Brook was only fifteen when she began experiencing the world of professional make up, under the guidance of a friend, Rae Morris, who at that time was garnering a name for herself. 
• She has perfected, and is known for achieving a classic, natural, high lighted look which is eponymous in today's market but definitely is a mark of her low key, radiant style and what she brings out the most in her clients. 
• Among celebrities, her client base ranges from advertising for clothing chains through to editorials and even work with popular bloggers in the beauty arena online.
• She has become a beauty editor for Priceline, whereby she can extend her advice and recommendations to shoppers.
• Her work and Tweeting, blogging for fashion shows and sheer love for the work has had her charm and encourage many young Australian beauty fans, and her talent and persistence for excellence have had her asked back by the same clients time and again.

Below I have provided a video which shows her make up style, but a step onwards from natural and rather natural, sun-kissed make up for afternoon to night in summer - like a different take on the smoky, instead using a coloured glitter shadow and liner to give a bold but deep effect.  The gives a good idea of her energy, her style, her focus, her ability, as well as how popular she is with viewers, who request looks from her all the time.

Some photos of her work, which visually articulate her bright, tanned, dewy signature style look:

NATIONAL MAKE UP ARTIST 1: Nicole Thompson

Nicole Thompson.  Senior Artist for Mac.

Her tagline?

"Don't be afraid to reinvent yourself like Madonna.  And if anything goes wrong, there's always make up remover."

I chose Thompson as I can relate to her quirkiness, and the bright and colourful attitude she brings to the looks she creates.  Working with Mac, I would imagine one would quickly become accustomed to being daring, but Thompson owns her look and her style, possessing a feeling that is tangible and contagious. She has become known for it and that quality, and I think that that is something any budding makeup artist would hold their own standard to.

Some background:

• She has worked with high profile designers and celebrities in her time, notably Colette Dinnigan and Robbie Williams.
• Her work has featured with David Jones on numerous fashion-centric events, which are often elaborate ad edgy.
• She believes in and demonstrates boundary pushing in her work - lipstick isn't just for eyes, and colour and drama don't have to be reserved for only the runway.  Experimentation is her philosophy.
• Last year, she took home the Makeup Artist of the Year Award at The Australian Hair Fashion Awards.
• She leads huge crews of make up artists under her direction, sometimes over sixty or more, from photo shoot sets through to behind the scenes of fashion week.

Below is a video which gives an idea of her personality, style and references her inspiration and philosophy.

Some photos of her achievements below, which I have selected in particular to showcase her range:

INTERNATIONAL MAKE UP ARTIST 2: Valli O'Reilly

My second choice for this assignment, is the innovative and playful Valli O'Reilly, best known for her BAFTA Award winning work in Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton.

I chose her work, as I admire her exciting and eye-catching make up design.  She represented Burton's otherworldly sensibility in Wonderland and it was her artistry that brought a much loved Disney film to life, in a whole new way, while staying true to some tenets of the cartoon original.  In fact, it is the cartoonishness of her art in that film that I find so original and imaginative.  I also chose her as she is contextually relevant being not only an artist of a long and rich career, but because she is one of the best high definition artists and on set, such as the case was with Wonderland, did the make up on Helena Bonham Carter (The Red Queen), Mia Wasikowska (Alice) and Anne Hathaway (The White Queen) herself to ensure the HD presentation was perfect.  At that time, not many make up artist's were familiar with the requisite products and skills needed for HD film.

Some background:

• O'Reilly fell into the world of make up artistry - she was originally an artist - a double major in art history and only took on make up artistry as an extension of her talent and to make some money while she broke ground.
• As the work in Wonderland was all filmed in 3D and HD, it took two to three hours each session to do make up on Helena Bonham Carter for the film, as there was so much detail and even the use of prosthetics.  Most times the start time for make up was 3 30am on set.
• Her work has been featured in prominent magazines, such as Maxim and Vogue.
• She is held in high regard by Hollywood, and selected by many celebrities and film professionals for her skill.

O'Reilly is a wonderful choice to write from, as she is a make up artist in every sense of the title - she is always thinking up new ways of approaching a job, coming up with new ways of applying make up (such as using pre-made stencils for the Red Queen's extreme brows and lips, which were somewhat based upon a Bette Davis film - for the austere and over the top final result) - I hope to emulate the same approach to my own work as I develop my skills and allow my creativity to spread its wings.

I have included a video below of the film's trailer below, so to display the whimsical and extraordinary make up design utilised to further enhance the reality of the world of Wonderland under O'Reilly's direction.

And below, a series of photos which also demonstrate her style, her skill in action, and her other award winning work, in "Lemony Snickett's a Series of Unfortunate Events"