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Happy Friday the 13th from 2020 - the year that almost didn't happen

 While Covid-19 has certainly made Halloween 2020 much quieter than normal. I was very happy to have the chance to get out and create once again. I was asked by the  kind folks at Trimper's Rides in Ocean City MD to change their staff into zombies for the final weekend of October 2020. It was a task I am used to doing but have honestly never been the sole artist when creating zombie hordes for events. Since they are normally larger groups I have always worked as part of a team for most of my prior events as well as when I worked in OC Screams years ago. Time management and preparation become key when faced with having to do several people in a short amount of time. Also simplicity. My designs are normally very detailed and this time I learned to work fast and go for basic makeup tricks that pack punch and fool the eye. In the end I was exhausted but I think the staff and management were both happy with  my services and I gained more experience.
 Oddly these events led to me deciding last minute to not go out myself on Halloween. I did have the time to create several new character looks that I was quite happy with and I have made several new connections with people through all this down time Covid has created. While I am anxious to get back to work and have a potentially very busy 2021, I know that we are all holding our breath to see if things will go backwards before they get better.
 Keep Creating and People will notice.

Sep 8, 2021

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

Once Upon A Time....

September and October were a blur here. With preparations for Halloween festivities merged with the demands of rehearsals for a community l theatrical production of Into the Woods my time was in high demand. After months of long days and late nights the parties were done and  the show was a wrap. I learned alot and made new friends as I flexed my skills to include more hair styling and wig work along with traditional theatrical makeup. Of course my main tasks were helping off stage with the myriad of hair and makeup changes often needed quickly when characters shift roles. But I learned teamwork with the actors and the wardrobe staff really helps make a daunting task more manageable. My director was clear about what he wanted and what he needed changing but he also was open to my suggestions so we worked well. The wardrobe staff were great and most of my actors knew how to do much of their own stage makeup and hair with only suggestions from me. We did have to tweak some things as the show moved from rehearsal to performance but it was a great learning experience. 
My own character creations turned out well and I managed to fit in a few costume competitions which I placed well in. So I will keep working. Presently I am in a short respite before Holiday Character parades and Christmas Pageants begin. I had reached out to our local children's theater group as well for their production set to open in January. Wondering if I have truly overbooked myself, perhaps the  Junior theater may well not need me this show. That being said I am currently free to indulge in private projects or open to bookings after January 20th- until then Happy Holidays to one and all.
Michele

Nov 21, 2017