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Living The Dream by Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist Kim Gray

Washington, DC based Makeup & Hair Stylist Kim Gray talks about her freelance journey and a DREAM realized.

In August 2010, former Packaging Your Portfolio Workshop student Kim Gray signed with the agency of her dreams, Artists by Timothy Priano in New York City––but it wasn't easy.

Makeup by Kim Gray

"No dream comes true, until you
wake up and go to work." ––Anonymous

"Happy are those who dream dreams and are
willing to pay the price to make them come true."
––Anonymous

Dreams…we all have them. It is our dreams that keep us going; they keep us alive and working toward a goal. But they also come with a price. I teach Make-up 101 at a cosmetology school in Washington, DC and my students tell me all the time that they want to be professional makeup artists. I ask them two questions: "What are you willing to sacrifice to make that dream come true and how hard are you willing to work to make it happen?" It is at that point that I get stares and, "What do you mean?"

I tell them that being a makeup artist has glamorous moments but for the most part, like anything else, it is hard work. I tell them that when I first got started like most new makeup artists, for about two years, I did nothing but testing, which means I worked with no pay to get pictures for my book.

Last week one student asked me, "Does everybody have to test and work with no pay in the beginning?" I said, "I could be wrong, but I don't know of any makeup artist who didn't test (work for TF) in the beginning. If it is your passion, the money will come but it doesn't come immediately." He frowned, flipped his hand and said, "I don't plan on working for free." I smiled and said, "OK" and left it at that.

I tell them about the endless hours on the computer researching, sending emails, looking at pictures, studying everything about makeup, writing letters, reading articles, reaching out to photographers and forming the plan to make the dream come true. I tell them about the all the weekends spent doing photo shoots only to come out with pictures I can't use in my book. I talk about the enormous amount of money spent to build a kit, take classes to hone my craft and the miles and money spent on Amtrak going back and forth to New York City. All of this work in an effort to make a dream come true.

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with some of the best makeup artists in the business today – Clarke  Vincent and William Marshall. I assisted (and actually ended up doing makeup and hair) on the "Fierce and Fabulous" shoot for the 40th Anniversary (September) issue of Essence Magazine.

I will admit I was nervous at first, as this was my first time working with "A" list celebrities. However, as the day progressed, my nervousness subsided and I fell into my comfort zone––doing makeup and hair. The day was made that much more comfortable when Antwon Jackson, a familiar face, walked in the door. I met Antwon when I took Crystal's class last year in NYC. Antwon arrived with Wendy Williams––as her personal hair stylist. We hugged and as we were talking he pointed at Nora Stallworth (whose hands were full dressing the talent) and said, "She took Crystal's class too and I think she did too" as he pointed to the other stylist on set. When Antwon walked away, Clarke asked me, "Did you take Crystal Wright's class?" I said, "Yes, last fall." He said, "I did too a few years ago." I looked around and realized that there were 4, for sure and possibly 5 Crystal Wright alumni on one set!!

There are times (not often) when I get discouraged and think that all my time, energy, effort and money is spent in vain; when I feel like I am working with few results. Then I have days like Wednesday. Wednesday was fabulous, full of energy and it affirmed that, slowly but surely, the dream…MY dream is coming together.

 

Kim Gray is a talented Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist. She resides in Washington, DC and travels to NYC to take advantage of opportunities to grow her career as if it were next door. She took my Packaging Your Portfolio Workshop in New York City in October 2009. Kim is signed to the Artists by Timothy Priano in NYC and you can see her work at www.kimgraymakeup.com.

 

About the Author

Artistic flair is a gift and Kim Gray's got it. No matter where she is, Kim brings with her a passion and creativity that is God given and special. Kim started doing makeup for fun on the girls in her dorm at Spelman College. After graduation, much to the chagrin of her parents, Kim enrolled in the now defunct, Wilfred Beauty Academy to live out her dream as a hair and makeup artist. However, as fate would have it, Kim ended up going to graduate school and having a successful professional career. In 2004, a friend asked, "Will you do the makeup for my wedding?" It was at that moment, Kim realized a dream deferred.

Kim took her first major step as a professional makeup artist when she was asked to do the makeup for the Transportation Security Administration's training videos. Shortly after that, Kim's creative panache was called upon to do the makeup for Latina recording artist, Jenny Colon's, Mi Soy Jenny, music video. Once again, Kim's talent was recognized when she was asked to be the makeup artist for Philadelphia recording artist, The Amazin' Grace Little. This exciting opportunity allowed Kim to expand her repertoire into live performances. Upon moving to the DC Metro Area, Kim was picked up by Maryland based, Kustom Looks Clothier to be their resident makeup artist and makeup coordinator for their runway shows and photo shoots. In 2008, Kim was asked to be the key makeup artist for, April Barringer, the host of the cable TV show, Your Body, Your Business, Your Health.

 

Kim understands that being a truly exceptional makeup artist requires more than artistic talent and technique. It requires vision, patience, excellent listening skills, professionalism and a love of people.

 

"The true essence of beauty comes from within. Makeup only serves to enhance what dwells in the soul.

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