Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Negron.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I come from a very small town in South Jersey where most people don’t make it out of, everyone knows everyone, they grow up there and stay there. Growing up I always knew that I wanted bigger things for myself then the small town dream. I honestly never touched a makeup brush when I was a kid, I painted & drew in High school & dabbled with photography but I was never one to be the girly girl. Thanks to my mom I can still reminisce on my horrible bright blue eye shadow days with no eyebrows brows. Throughout high school I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life after I graduated & time was running near. One night I stayed up & was watching Blade for the thousandth time & I remember being so intrigued by the Special Effects makeup & their character design. Later that night while watching TV a commercial came on for Tom Savinis Special Effects Makeup School & I decided at that moment that’s what I wanted to do. The next day I researched the school & decided that’s where I wanted to go. I brought the idea to my mom & dad, at first they were a little unsure about the idea of going off to makeup school to make monsters but after a short time they were both on board & really excited about it. They have always been my biggest supporters in life, my mom married the best man when I was 6 who became my dad & I couldn’t ask for a better support system. Luckily, the whole “Iv never did makeup before in my life but want to be a makeup artist” thing worked out really well for me or I would have had some explaining to do. I don’t recommend this method of life decision for everyone. lol Savini High as we called it, was about 8 hours from South Jersey located in a town just outside of Pittsburgh. It was my first time living on my own with no one familiar around, figuring out what life really was day by day. Iv always had to grow up fast so this experience was just the same. If you have ever been to Pittsburgh, then you would know they have some of the coldest winters that cut through your bones & snow that falls like rain. I moved there with no car & had to walk more then 7 miles to school in all conditions some where snow would be up to my knees, sometimes carrying 30 pd. Casting/Molds from school back and forth. If that doesn’t sound tiring enough I had to walk up and down 120 steps one way to get from school to my house, needless to say I was dedicated to make this work. I had no choice, I needed this to work. I passed school with high honors & was lucky enough to have met some really great industry professionals during that time. When I graduated one of my professors recommended me for an internship with a Special Effects Makeup Shop in Atlanta, GA. I got the internship in Atlanta & put the moving plan into action just weeks later. Life has been such a journey so far, when I was interning at the shop I picked up a lot of great techniques which helped me progress even farther now working in TV & Film doing makeup with amazing crew’s of industry professionals. I recently was also featured in Fenty Beauty’s Global AD Campaign for their Summer Collection which was a sureal moment when people send you videos of your work on huge screens in huge cities. Where I am now has been a blessing & a journey to get through, however I would never change it for the world. & Everyday I continue to grow as a person & artist.
Please tell us about your art.
I am a professional makeup artist for TV & Film, specializing in Special Fx Makeup & Editorial/Fashion Beauty Makeup. I enjoy most being on set, I have worked on some really cool TV projects that I am beyond proud of, it took blood, sweat, and lots of tears to get my foot in the door. Recently I have been shooting images for different Ad Campaigns, for Makeup Brands Social Media Accounts, as well as expanding my personal brand. I get my inspiration from so many different things, travel, history, music, culture. I am known with my clients for really amazing skin, I can make skin look like glass. Beauty makeup used to be my biggest struggle, I am glad Instagram wasn’t so popular because Hunty, it was a train wreck. I started looking at the forms as if I were looking at a drawing or a sketch, the forms were already there to which I only needed to introduce color. Makeup has never ending boundless options, being able to transform people to suit their mood or moment. Its endless. I think what sets me apart from others in my field is who I am, cliché as that sounds. I am blunt, honest, & genuinely put so much of myself into every project I enter.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
I believe success is when you reach goals,small or big & are proud of what youve accomplished. Success is in the struggle to get there and the pride you feel when you’ve reached it. There has been no stair case to stroll up to get to success, it’s been a lot of hard times, people taking advantage for their growth, long hours, blood sweat & tears. What separates me someone else is my will & drive to get back up everytime Iv fallen & pushed harder then the last time. What’s always helped me has been always being genuine to myself & who I am. That would be my biggest advice to anyone starting a career in the film industry or makeup industry in general. Stay true to who you are, keep pushing through all the NO’s because one day there will be a Yes! I have done a lot of really dope things and still give credit to everyone who has opened a door, given me a chance and I continue everyday to count my blessings. You own your journey so never let anyone take the wheel!
Music has always been such a big influence in my life & still is to this day. I’ve been listening to my grandfather sing since I came out of the womb, my dad had me growing up on Lynyrd Skynyrd & music gets me through the day. My favorite moments are when I set up side photo-shoots with photographer’s and I get to listen to my music & create something I feel good about with no restraints or contracts. As an artist I think it’s in important to set up time to create pieces that you have creative freedom on, it allows you to grow & test your own boundaries.
Contact Info:
- Email: SlayedByNatasha@aol.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slayedbynatasha/
Image Credit:
Frances Claudio
Shani Varner
Rodrigo Sanchez
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