Introduction

Introducing The Artist

Basic Info

I thought it would be fitting to start my blog by introducing myself. My name is Davia, I am 17 years old, I am from and live in Montego Bay, Jamaica and I'm putting myself out there...out here. I'm using this blog to shamelessly promote myself, to display my talents and my skills. You see, at this particular point in time, I want to be a makeup artist and, according to my research, to be successful as an artist of any sort you have to put your self out there. 

Upon Realizing My Passions

I'm sorta shy about this because my parent's don't approve. I'm in my final year of college and I've applied to university to read for a BSc in Psychology. I thought I had to. And suddenly, I realized that I don't have to. And I don't want to. A Bsc in Psychology is a useless degree and I don't think I want to work my butt of in school for 3 more years so I could be underemployed. I don't think I can. I'm uninterested in the material and there's no part of me compelling me to continue. I told my parents and wreaked havoc on my immediate family. Whenever I tell this story to anyone sane they say it sounds like something out of a 90's movie where they parent forces their child into fulfilling their dreams for them. For a week, when I made my desires known I could have sworn that I've been disowned. All my mother's friends were calling to see if I was okay, if I'd lost my mind, why I'd throw away my bright future to pursue a profession that was beneath someone with my academic achievements. The strangest thing was, during most of these phone calls I wasn't allowed to say more than 10 words. If I was, I'd tell them that I' m tired. Tired of school, studying disciplines I had no interest in, having to depend on my parents for money and having to defend every purchase I made from being regarded as foolish or frivolous.

A Turning Point

One day when I was home alone I got another phone call. It was my aunt, by my father's side. I got really annoyed because I was expecting another call to remind me of my stupidity. But it wasn't. She called to say she supports me. I was touched. She works in the U.S. at a hair salon. Her hair salon. I should have expected her, off all people to understand what I wanted out of the makeup and hair industry. She recommended universities I should look up and she  made sure I wasn't in the wrong mind set - I shouldn't be aiming for working in a salon, I should aim to own one. I told her I was interested in being a freelancer, to work on photo-shoots or fashion shows, to someday own my own makeup line or nail polish line like I see beauty guru on youtube doing. She let me know that I could do it. I could achieve all my dreams if I worked hard enough. This was the first time I thought of my career goal as dreams and I liked it. I started crying in that phone conversation. I know that makes me sound like a baby but this was the first time someone not only acknowledged my aspirations as something other than stupid but encouraged me, said that they believed in me. I really owe this aunt a lot. Whenever I get down and depressed (which I am a lot these days) I can remember that there's someone out there that believes in me. Cheesy, I know.

Putting Myself Out There...Out Here

Now that I know that someone believes in me it's easier for me to believe in myself and transform my dreams to goals - Goals are dreams in work clothes. I started looking up advice videos on youtube. (Youtube is my thing). All the already established makeup artists suggested putting yourself out there. Advertising, showing your skills, marketing your self. One of the ways this is done is by having a portfolio. This is a book that contains pictures of your work. Before someone hires you they'd have a look at your portfolio to see what you can do. I've started compiling my portfolio out of pictures of my self and my friends taken with my digital camera. I've also made a logo type watermark thing and a template for business cards I'm thinking about. I needed somewhere to put these pictures, I don't want to reveal my goals to my friends on facebook (or youtube which my facebook friend know about and have access to) out of fear of their disapproval, so I chose to create a blog, which could also be an online representation of my portfolio and me, putting myself out here as a MUA.

- Dai Veh Ah
Nail + Makeup Artistry