Meet Grant Park Makeup Artist: Dustin Lazenby

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dustin Lazenby.

Dustin, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a self-taught freelance makeup artist and aspiring actor in television and film. I began as an art student in college and ended up working in the restaurant industry for ten years, as so many artists do. Haha! I became disabled while working my last restaurant gig and couldn’t find work until I began working makeup retail sales. Realizing I hated sales, I decided that if no one was going to hire me, I’d begin using my art background to my advantage. I began painting anyone that would let me. Soon, I began marketing myself and services online. I built a portfolio, working with some of the best talents Atlanta has to offer. These connections have afforded me so many opportunities. In the last two years, I have also been working in the film industry, doing extras and featured work. I am loving being a part of this industry and want to soak up as much knowledge as possible to help further my craft. eventually, I’d love to be well known for my makeup work and my acting work. Only time and determination can tell!

Has it been a smooth road?
My life, in general, has been a roller coaster. I had no direction after college, working restaurant jobs and just getting by. I had no idea what I truly wanted for my life. I moved to Atlanta from Huntsville, Alabama 15 years ago thinking, I want a new start. I needed a change. While trying to make it work in Atlanta, I still had no direction. falling into the party scene in this city certainly didn’t help. A year or so into my new life in Atlanta, I was in a horrific train accident, leaving me an amputee with plenty of health issues to come. I will say, this experience made me the person I am and I would never change that, but it does come with its challenges. I make it work and sometimes, it’s the reason I get work. Haha.

What’s the hardest part of your job?
I’ve never really thought of any aspect of my career being really difficult or hard. I guess, if I had to pick something, I say, my disability might cause some issues if a shoot or gig location is hard to get to, but that is rare. If I agree to work a job, I am there, early most times, and ready to do my best. I have never really been one to let my disability keep me from living or doing what I love.

What are you striving for, what criteria or markers have you set as indicators of success?
I was always raised to think success was the good job, family, kids, a house with a picket fence, and blah, blah, blah, haha! But personally, I feel, in some ways, that I have already succeeded in many aspects of life. It has taken a long time, but I figure success is just happiness to me. I love what I do. I love the people I have been blessed to work with, and I hope I get to do this for the rest of my life. That’s success. The only other thing I want out of my career is to be known for my art.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
This year, I have taken it upon myself to make a lot of changes in my life. I am getting healthier. Changing the diet. I want to travel more, both for work and leisure. I am currently saving for a few trips in the next year. Ultimately, my goal would be to have a studio space to offer multiple services to my clients. I want a place that offers hair and makeup services, wardrobe, photography, and even retail. A truly full-service salon, if you will. Need headshots? We gotcha! Have a full wedding party to get ready? We gotcha!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.facebook.com/DSLmakeup
• Phone: 4044027406
• Email: dslbookingmanager@gmail.com
• Instagram: @sunkist2025
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dustin.lazenby

 

Image Credit:
Photographers – Richard Scalzo, Charlie Pappas, John Glenn, Steffano Morte, Jerrica Raglin