SHAPESHIFTER
FEATURED ARTISTS
Photographer: Sequoia Emmanuelle
www.sequoiaemmanuelle.com
https://www.facebook.com/sequoiaemmanuellephotography
Make-up artist, creative direction and concept: Ashley Joy Beck
www.ashleyjoybeck.com
https://www.facebook.com/ashleyjoybeckmakeupartist
assisted by Elise Massa and Becca Brassfield.
Hair pieces & Styling: "Lisa Yamasaki & Creative Team"
www.jshair.net
Wardrobe made by Lisa Yamasaki
Models:
Alexandra Matthews - https://www.facebook.com/alexandrafmathews
Lauren Amante
Kate Boyer
Caridee English
Makeup products
Temptu Silicone Based Primer
Temptu Silicone Based Airbrush Foundation
Temptu DURA Airbrush Colors
Wolfe Face Art & FX Professional Essential Hydrocolor
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
Crown and Ben Nye Brushes
FEATURED MAKEUP ARTIST INTERVIEW
1. What does this collection say about your mindset when you were creating it?
This collection came directly from the inspiration of a sketchbook full of doodles that I was working on at the time. I am actually still working on this themed sketchbook and I plan on printing a few copies once it's finished. It's all based on this meditative expansion technique I feel drawn to. My book has many other people's doodles in it that I expand and is one of my favorite ways to create and play with the people around me.
2. Where do you most often find inspiration from? And when you lose it...what do u do to find it?
Finding inspiration is a really interesting concept. I don't know if I find it as much as it finds me. I believe you have to just cultivate your sensitivity and stillness of mind to receive inspiration as fully and often as possible. I practice paying attention to the steady influx of ideas and images that appear in my minds eye. I have a "see it, do it" motto which for me means that if I see a visual or something "inspires" me I have a responsibility to bring that to fruition. I believe this agreement with the universe along with the faith that these inspirations will continue to flow is what keeps them coming.
3. What's your favorite technique or trick? And who taught it to you?
My favorite techniques and tricks are constantly changing as I learn new things! Currently I'm really into playing with skin texture and keeping a glow in the skin. This I accomplish by not powdering the highlights (or the whole face, if the lighting/feel for the look is right) and sometimes even adding an iridescent fluid or powder to the highlights to reflect light and give the appearance of a freshly hydrated skin even if the application was hours ago. All the little tips I've gleaned to accomplish this texture have been acquired from so many different resources it's hard to pinpoint just one, but currently I am assisting master makeup artist Georgi Hamed and she has shown me quite a few little tricks for doing this among other things.
4. Why editorial, session work? So many say it’s a dead road... why did you continue to pursue this path?
Editorial session work is not the only outlet I have for my makeup artistry. When I work in TV, music videos, press conferences, promotional photo shoots and commercials, those jobs pay quite well, so it affords me time to invest in more creatively fulfilling pursuits like editorial, live stage performances and art in general. I will never let go of my pursuit for editorial publication of my work because looking at beautiful images of makeup when I was younger was a huge push for me to do makeup as a career and I feel that magazines are the art museums of my industry so to have my work featured in them regularly is a great way to share my art with the world.
5. While on set, how do you stay focused?
To stay focused on set I do my best to put the outside world out of mind. I deal with things as they come as much as possible but I make my job on set that day my priority. If my eyes are getting fuzzy I will focus on just one pore on the face to bring my attention back to the present. I try to stay involved even after the makeup is finished and keep a keen eye on the model throughout the duration of the shoot so if she accidentally smudges something or she begins to sweat I am able to fix it immediately and no shot's are wasted on behalf of the makeup not being as perfect as possible.
6. Share with us the most unexpected thing that has happened while on set, good or bad.
I'd have to say the most unexpected thing that's ever happened on set actually resulted in me writhing around on the floor naked on camera in a music video. I got to set to do hair and makeup for the band Beware of Darkness's video for the song "Howl" and was informed that the lead actress did not want to do the proposed naked scenes. I'm not sure what possessed me, perhaps it was simply a lust for new experiences, but I burst out, "I'll do it!!", and before I knew it, it was just me, the camera man and the director in a dirty abandoned warehouse. I just let go and did my thing. It was super invigorating and looking back on it I'm definitely glad I did it.
7. Favorite quote or quotes you live by? And how do u apply them to your work? What is your personal
mantra?
See the answer for question #2 I also like to say, just throw some glitter on that shit. Which is hardly ever the correct answer to a makeup problem, but it is fun to say.
8. Is there anyone experience(s) in particular that you feel has made the biggest impact on your career?
If I had to think of one experience that made the biggest impact on my career I would have to say it would be participating in the IMATS fantasy makeup competition of 2008. Dana Nye (owner of Ben Nye) was a judge and he immediately noticed me and has been supporting me in my career ever since. That's what gave me the ability to begin working for Cirque du Soleil as well and working for Cirque has brought me so many opportunities I would never have imagined prior.
9. What do you believe is a common mistake within the industry? And what can others do to avoid being a
cliché?
I think a common mistake in the industry is to get comfortable. Either in a style or a network or with some technique or another. I find it vital to keep trying new things and working with new people.
10. If you could go back to the beginning of your career, what piece of advice would you give your newbie SELF?
If I could go back to the beginning and give my newbie self a piece of advice it would be to hang in there. Obviously I did hang in there and I'm still hanging, but any encouragement in the beginning to keep doing those cheap or free gigs/art projects and to build my network even if it meant having faith and working with people I had never met before for hardly any immediate gratification besides the assurance that I was building experience and doing what I loved was so welcomed and desperately needed.
11. Who is your biggest role model and why? What collection stands out in your mind?
I don't know if there is any one person I could name as my biggest role model. Honestly anyone who pushes their limits creatively falls into that category even if it's not with makeup. I love many musicians like Lou Reed and David Bowie. Fashion only impresses me when it blurs the lines of wearable art. I've been refining my skills with a lot of clean work lately but that's not really that inspiring to me. It's all so technical. I love the mystics like Alejandro Jodorovski and those that have made their own path and done their own thing in their medium despite what was possible or acceptable. Bring me the fire. I love the fresh breeze that comes after and the mangled earth in it's wake. I want the future me to be my
ultimate role model, not anyone I know about already.
12. What colors are you in love with right now?
I think you asked this color question last time I was published in your magazine and although I do LOVE all colors I am more than happy to revisit it and ask myself what particular hues I am currently most fond of. I'm really into a mix of colors. Like tie-dye and any psychedelic swirling without much rhyme or reason. Pastels and muted earth tones set against bold neons and bright green/blue/yellows are particularly piquing my fancy lately.
13.. Favorite adult beverage? Why...and when did u first have one?
My favorite adult beverage is definitely wine with mimosas following as a close second. I don't remember the absolute first time I ever had wine. I'm pretty sure my parents at least let me have a sip some time around 14 if not earlier. It was likely not until at least 16 or so that I had a half glass to myself. Now I live in Temecula Wine Country and enjoy sampling the local wine's with my husband on my time off.
