Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Poe.
Lisa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m originally from the Bay Area in California and I’ve wanted to be a makeup artist since I was 15. I never went to school or had any formal training, but I’ve been extremely fortunate along my journey to work with artists who generously shared their knowledge. Starting when I was 18 I did makeup part-time while I had a full-time “normal” job.
My first makeup job was at California’s Great America Halloween Haunt and I ended up working there seasonally for seven years as the Assistant Makeup Department Supervisor. Through that job I made connections at the San Jose and San Francisco Operas, working with artists who gave me invaluable opportunities. I started getting to work on film projects and fell absolutely in love. Seeing how everyone on the crew came together to bring productions to life was magical to me, and I knew that was the area of the industry I wanted to a part of. I joined IATSE Local 706 and was finally able to become a full-time makeup artist. Though I was working full time, I wasn’t able to work that many film projects because there just honestly weren’t many. Almost four years ago I made the scariest decision of my life by moving cross country alone sight unseen to Atlanta; however, it has been the best choice I ever made. Between being new in town and then the pandemic hitting, I barely worked for two years.
I nannied, did insurance claim inputting, cleaned Airbnbs, and really any odd job to supplement income. It was scary being in a new place and unsure when I would work, but I truly felt I was where I was meant to be. As the film industry started back up, I was able to join IATSE Local 798. Shortly after, makeup artist Erin Kieth gave me an opportunity to work on Stranger Things Season 4. I had met her when she was the Department Head of 13 Reasons Why Season 3 back in the Bay Area. She was the Key on the show at the time and introduced me to Department Head Amy L. Forsythe and Co-Department Head Devin Morales. They ended up bringing me onto the team full time and the rest is history. It still feels like I’m in the infancy of my career, but I’m so fortunate for the artists I’ve met in Georgia who have become both my colleagues and close friends.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This journey has been a complete rollercoaster. There’s been countless nights I’ve been up worrying and praying for work. I have always had to financially take care of myself, and pursuing a career with so much uncertainty was terrifying for me. There’s no straight clear path to becoming a full-time makeup artist and for many years it felt unattainable. I worked full-time in management all the years I did makeup on the side, so I often had to turn down opportunities. When I took the leap to solely pursue makeup, I had a salaried pension position at a large healthcare company. I remember my boss there thinking I was crazy for forfeiting that job to be an artist. I’ve taken many risks for this career and gone through a lot of rejection. It’s taught me to believe everything happens as it should and I’m much braver than I ever thought.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in beauty, out-of-kit FX, and character makeup. Corrective beauty makeup is my favorite because everyone is beautiful in their own unique way. Subtle corrections can transform someone and bring out their best features while minimizing their perceived flaws. Working with actors is such an intimate job and they have to become so vulnerable with us. We know their insecurities, we’re with them filming sensitive or intense scenes. When my actors are loving how they look and feel taken care of, it’s extremely rewarding to me. I’m really proud of the work I did on Stranger Things Season 4. That show has so many moving parts that a lot of trusts was put into all of us on the makeup team. I felt like I was able to utilize my strengths as an artist and teammate while also being pushed out of my comfort zone. I’m also proud of my most recent project, Tell Me Lies. I got to do creative beauty makeup and collaborate with my actress Alicia Crowder on her character Diana’s development. I was also given the opportunity by the show’s Makeup Department Head, Jenny Lin, to learn a lot more of the backend work to run the team. Since I spent so many years in management, I actually love the process of managing a production schedule, breaking down a script, booking artists, and all the other administrative tasks. It’s a lot of work and responsibility but very rewarding.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m a big cat lady and crafter! When I’m not at work, I’m usually at home relaxing with my cats and knitting a project.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Paintedbypoe.com
- Instagram: Paintedbypoe
