I grew up in an artists family from Guangzhou China. Both of my parents sculpted beautiful jade statues and crafts for the state own factory. Ever since I was little, I was playing with sketches, jades and crafts. Seeing me with a talent in art, my parents put me through lots of art classes. During that time, I learn to draw and paint with brushes and Chinese watercolor. And I received the highest recognition: one of my art works won a national golden price. Therefore, I was never a stranger to color, forms, and facial features. Actually, I like to get my hands dirty when I get in the mode of creating. :)
In early 1990s, bridal and personal photography was first introduced to the Chinese public by Taiwanese photographers. I always recalled the memory of seeing several beautiful young ladies modeling on a prosperous street. I can never forget the avant-garde makeup, overly exaggerated hair styles and the highly accessorize outfits. This memory has planted a seed in my mind - one day, I will open up a photography studio where people will receive a complete transformation as a luxurious experience of a lifetime.
In year 2000, I immigrated to the states with my parents and started my high school years in Houston, TX. It was a very difficult transition with limited English and cultural clash. One thing I know for sure: my parents work ten times harder to make a living here. Thus, I knew that I would need to become a professional to be able to stand on my own feet.
Like many Asian kids, I graduted high school and got into college to seek higher education as we believe that "The gold mines are hidden in the books". I entered Bauer College of Business in University of Houston. I first wanted to major in marketing, and yet none of the material was making sense to me. I was really frustrated and also intimidated by how extensive the English language you will need to master if you were majored in Marketing. Although my English became so much better and fluent, I was still very intimidated by others who speak fluent English. Guess what? Finally, I chose Accounting because it seems to make so much sense and I don't need to talk, AT ALL, despite I am a people person. In my mind, as long as I don't need to speak so much English, I would be fine. Who knows I am speaking English fluently and have to present products and services with English every day!!!
After graduating with my Master degree in Accounting, I became a tax accountant for a local accounting firm (Although I don't work in the accounting field any more, I still get to use my analytic skill I learned to run my business). The lack of personal interaction soon made me feel unfulfilled and discouraged. I was not happy with my job and life. My boss then had a long conversation with me and advised me to take a personanalysis test to find out more about myself. Until today, I still thank her for doing that. After the test, I was told that I would be much happier if my creativity would be expressed and appreciated. And my personality was actually very suitable to do any job that requires an extrovert's out-going quality.
The result from the personanalysis nurture that seed planted. I knew that I was not able take more art classes. Combine with the thought of art and fashion, I suddenly realize I can actually become a makeup artist. Hence, I started to look for ways to become a makeup artist, hair stylist and wardrobe stylist. In these years, I have been very devastated to learn things about makeup and styling and took all the opportunities that I could to learn. I have never been a party animal, yet I went to night clubs to do makeup with very minimum compensation, sometimes none. I took on countless unpaid internships to assist other makeup artists or projects to build my portfolio. I did many many things just because I was hungry. I feel like I took a high dose injection of makeup and styling. All experience was great memories and helped me develope my own style and technique.
In these past few years, I failed and got beat down many times. There are lots of obstacles and hurdles that I had to come through. There was times that I almost gave up. However, the passion of art and creating a beautiful art work on a person continues to encourage me to keep moving forward. There is nothing happier than seeing someone FEEL and LOOK beautiful in my chair. It always makes me feel very fulfill when I know they will walk out of my chair with ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE. I always believe that makeup and styling would bring out one's best feature and make them feel beautiful in their own skin. We are not here to alter your look but to help you to enhance it!
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