Nightmares & Dayscreams Freelance Makeup Artistry

Spring has Sprung

Which means I am hopping busy. So far March has featured back to back weekend conventions and travel to Virginia to see friends. I had a wonderful Easter Mini Photo Shoot with Culling Innovations where the Queen of Hearts showed up to teach Alice the fine art of Croquet in Wonderland. It would appear children may need a new way to get their eggs and candy. April brings with it some smaller local conventions which I hope to attend, but first Charles Townsend is filming a documentary about Women in Cosplay and we have an interview scheduled. After that Ocean City Maryland is hosting both the Ocean Reniassance Festival the 15&16th to be followed by a new convention of its kind. OC Animae will debut April 29 & 30th. I am hoping to be able to find time to check out both if my schedule permits.
Busy working on a new cosplay in preparation for my debut at TideWater Comiccon in Virginia Beach in May. So keep hopping.

Haunting Virginia

September 19 2022 -It is about this time of year every year so far that I have been spending alot of time in Virginia. I spent one weekend in Norfolk checking out the expanded Tidewater Horror convention and then just this pat weekend I was back at Hampton Roads for the 2022 Haunted Screams Expo. True to form I brought costumes and did a little shopping amongst my merchant friends. I was unable to be part of the Monster On Makeup Wars challenge this year as my makeup artist was away on assignment, but I did manage to bring home second place in the Adult Costume Contest. < Many thanks to Charles A Townsend for the amazing images he captured while at Haunted Screams.>This gives me just a few weeks to get together all the pieces I am making for Culling Innovations Halloween Mini Photo Shoot in Salisbury MD on October15th. But First...I have the distinct honor of having been asked to help with makeups for Farragut Forward a local ongoing Star Trek tribute You Tube Film short being done locally. So Time to clean up my kit and polish up on my beauty skills.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

August 2022- So fall is finally here. That means I am kicked into high gear once again. Maryland Renaissance festival last weekend. This week I am on the road again to Norfolk VA for TideWater Horrorcon with a quick side trip to check out this years Howl-O-Scream at BuschGardens Williamsburg. Still working on costumes for next weeks Haunted Screams in Hampton VA as well. So busy but things keep squeezing into my jam packed schedule with a new special event I just got asked to help out on in Fredrick MD in October...Shh...mums the word for now..must not Jinx it. I have been getting some amazing conversations with a few local independent film makers and discussing their projects. All this leading up to my first trip to FaerieCon in Baltimore in October and as quick trip to World Oddities..all before Halloween. Then there is the HUGE project I have been working on for my return to Ocean City Comicon once again in December. Never fear dear friends things are very active here @ Nightmares & Dayscreams. Can't forget to mention my true new collaborations with David Insley of Culling Innovations coming up in just a few weeks. Time to get Spooky!! Many thanks to the one and only Father Evil for this stunning photo from our reunion at Scares That Cares Charity Weekend 2022.
**I was So Thrilled to see that FatherEvil recieved a special recognition Award at the New Jersey Horror Film Festival on September 17th and I truly wish I could have been there to celebrate his special moment with him. Well done my friend. You deserve it.** -xoxo

By now you all know that 2020 is going belly up

With the introduction of COVID-19 the entire world came to a screeching halt and so did many events large and small starting with early March to the present time. That being said I think it is a given that my schedule has cleared with event after event either being canceled or postponed. Currently any planned event with more than 10 people outside of work and church is at the very least discouraged. Now I am lucky enough to have a day time job as an 'essential worker" meaning as such my normal routine is still going strong. The volunteering and events I would have happily gone to in days gone by have scattered to the winds.
I am trying to work on a few personal projects but honestly like so many others I am cleaning, reorganizing, rearranging and reassessing. At the moment I am okay with not having anything on my calendar until August but on the other hand makeup is a very up close and personal profession which currently is one of the last to be cleared. I also am wondering if any of the summer activities I would normally do face painting for will happen. Currently it is hard to even arrange for a private photo shoot due to travel restrictions so I am teaching myself how to be the makeup artist as well as photographer. Photo editing is next up all while I am still working on my Air Brush classes and Makeup Mastery Class.
New photos soon.

May 26, 2020

Did you know?

I volunteer alot in the community through out the year when not working on my own personal projects. I find that I am getting busier with each passing year even though last year was going to be slammed and several projects got delayed or fell through completely.
I in fact got called upon to help out with Matilda for the Community Players of Salisbury and then got called upon to do Makeups for Legally Blonde Jr with the Ocean Pines Children's Theater. Then I had a small window where I got to clean up after the Ocean City ComicCon and I got to do some makeups for a whirlwind private session. I actually had 3 models to do makeups on and then was tasked with doing the photos when my normal photographer was unable to be there but loaned me the equipment. I learned alot and now have 3 more models who loved the experience. It was fun but a bit frazzling and now I know how to better manage my time and supplies for next go round. I also learned that I need lessons on how to get the best images from a DSLR camera.
I am now helping another budding makeup artist learn some simple tricks and tips for her school Fantasy Makeup Challenges which she is probably going a bit more Gore than her school is used to. Realizing that these girls are more versed in beauty makeup than in Special FX we are walking the fine line between the full Gore I could teach her and the simpler quick tricks that most folks learn for Halloween. Mostly because of budget and the fact she has a 1 hour application window that truly limits what she can achieve. Her teacher and former director we have both worked for has also asked me to be on hand behind the scenes to help with basic bald cap applications for Uncle Fester in an upcoming Addams Family school production where she is in charge of the makeups. He also has in mind inviting me to give basic theatrical makeup lecture to his drams classes sometime.
Keep good relations and an open ear to any directors you work with. I find that my willingness to work and listen have helped establish a good rapport with most of the directors I have worked with in the past. This has lead to them calling me back each time they have a chance to put on another production. I am flexible and willing to work with other artisit's when scheduling timelines mean I can not achieve everything that is needed. I do still have actors who will either consult with me before going out or ask specifically for me to do their hair or makeup for shows, but I always try to channel the directors vision when I am involved in helping them bring their show to life. This often means that I am around while the cast are rehearsing lines or running scenes. I sometimes will even consult with or help with the wardrobe if they need it for quick changes as it helps me get a feel for the actors and the roles they are assuming. Overall it helps everyone bring the role to life as a cohesive image.
So be willing to work but know your limitations. Be open to both give and accept help. I work with adults and children alike who have been doing drama longer than me so I will often step back if I feel the actor knows what to do and how to do it. The director will give us both pointers if he feels we are off track and then we work as a team to find ways to fine tune a look. In working with large groups and small staff this is key to getting everyone out in time. Moving forward I have made new contacts and tenative talks are in the works for additional projects but more on that as they develop. I have a stint as a leprechaun, a comic convention and then a road trip to New York all before Easter roles around with more theatrical productions and face painting work kicks into high gear. That leaves a short respite before Addams Family & Kiss Me Kate theater calls.

Feb 18, 2020

Are you looking ahead with 2020?

Yes not only do we have a new year ,but a new decade has begun. Who knows what trends and fashions will come out on top this year. Are you ready? Are you at least getting prepared to move boldly ahead?
With the new year my schedule goes from quiet to crowded quicker every time. Currently I am lined up as Lead Makeup Artist and Hairstylist for 2 theatrical productions. January will find me backstage at the Performing Arts Center of the Roland E Powell Ocean City Maryland Convention Center with the Ocean Pines Childrens' Theater for their production of Legally Blonde Jr. I will also be running things behind the scenes with the Community Players of Salisbury this June as they perform Kiss Me Kate and have graciously asked me once more to be in charge of the hairstyles and makeup for the cast.
In between those shows is a big gap which I hope to fill with both completing my courses in Airbrush Makeup and Makeup Mastery with QC Makeup Academy all while also doing several festivals offering Face Painting to the happy crowds of children.
While I am still hoping that I will have time to travel and see my old friends and connections all while enjoying helping out charitable events like Scares that Cares Charity Weekend in Williamsburg VA and Salisbury University Student United Way annual Zombie Infested 5K both of which will be this fall. Time will tell what more I can add in between events as I continue to hone my skills.
Happy New Year , happy new decade and Happy New You!!

Feb 18, 2020

Summer has Just begun but Fall is Heating Up

It is no loss of irony to me that here it is just the beginning of June 2019 and I have been invited to create a horde of Zombies and survivors/victims for a Walking Dead themed photo shoot. Never before have my Zombies had to be able to withstand the onslaught of summer heat, daylight and still be worthy of a planned photoshoot. This is also my first time working with a photographer who is more like a director. I have my line up of Zombies to transform as the end result looks he wants for each actor. I will keep you apprised.
Meanwhile I have already been informed that another photographer I have worked with in the past as a customer has contacted me for two character costumes and makeups that will be photographed but are being elevated to Brand Ambassadors for some side projects they are developing.
There is the busy summer schedule of face painting to be done for block parties and events in the community. Which will lead up to August and my annual trip to Scares that Care Weekend in Williamsburg VA. This year I am proudly volunteering for several events as well as have a special surprises lined up for that weekend, but that part is a secret.
I was thrilled to learn that my fall may be even busier as I learned that I will be tapped as an Extra for the production of " To Avenge" due to be filmed here on our humble shores during the fall so that will be squeezed in amongst the normal Harvest & Halloween events to be followed by Float preparations for the Winter holiday parades and parties.
I am hoping my schedule allows me to complete my certification in both Airbrush Makeup and Makeup Mastery in time for 2020 but I will keep you posted.

Jun 6, 2019

Rolling into the Summer Season

Well after a busy Halloween season full of contests and assignments things usually settle down for the winter ,but my growing list of contacts means that I am becoming more aware of other opportunities to showcase my work. I managed to conclude successfully two touring groups runs of Into the Woods and enter in several costume/makeup contests consistently placing in the top 5 in each event.
As spring approaches my schedule tends to fill with both convention events and face painting opportunities which usually transition quickly into fall with yet more contests and possibilities. As a newer artist I welcome the changes as my assignments can range from simple face painting at craft fairs to costume and makeup competitions and seminars at conventions and duties with any one of the local theater companies as they need staff for hair/wigs and makeup.
This fall will hopefully see the launch of my work in the new film Making Apes which is currently in post production.
I will keep you posted here.

Apr 5, 2018