Return from neverland

I can't tell if I've returned FROM Neverland, or actually just wound up there lately. I've been thinking a lot.

Retranslate: I've been daydreaming a lot. Not necessarily thinking about what direction my life should take, even though that is necessary, but I've certainly granted myself the luxury of thinking about what I should like to do and what I should like to have without much thought for the consequences or even the likelihood. I'm not bogging myself down with too much thinking but don't worry, I won't neglect thought for the consequences if I actually do get round to doing anything.

This summer I've realised how much I love make up. Not wearing it, but using it. On an everyday level, I realise 'make-up' is perceived as a beauty tool. This makes me snort slightly indignantly. It is true that most people use it to enhance their features and this is what it is advertised for in the mainstream - get flawless looking skin, thicker eyelashes, rosier cheeks, fuller looking lips, etc. This isn't what draws me to it. Make up can be used to camoflage, to create an illusion using different colours and shades. It might be usually used to make women look more youthful but it can be used to make someone look paler, darker, older, bald, wrinkled and utterly undesirable!! Make used for photography, for HD television and video is hugely different from make up styles used for stage and theatre. Things like face painting, body painting is much larger scale, usually a lot more dramatic but its still a part of make up artistry. Special effects make is amazing - burns, bruises, grazes, cuts and then they go into prosthetics.

Ok, so all I've done is bridal style make up for a couple of people and that is definitely 'beauty' work and its fun, I like it but I also realise that actually, if I could go further and do more, that would be even MORE fun!! :D Picking up new skills on the way, learning about the different materials used. One thing that always keeps make up exciting is that your rarely working with the same 'canvas'. Everyone has different facial features, different colour tones and different texture of skin. Applying make up like a pro involves understanding colour theory just as well as any other artist. More perhaps, as most painters / sketchers, choose the material they work on - paper, glass, fabric, etc.. A make up artist has to work with the subject they are given and there are actually so many different skin tones and shades so understanding colour thery and being about neutralise and mix colours is vital to good work. (Ladies, this is why it can be SOOOOOO damned hard to find the perfect foundation!!)

Anyway, so that was a ramble but what can I say, colours and brushes make me happy! Strangely so, I'll admit. However, I have started to think that the best contribution a person can make to this world involves understanding themselves, the strengths / weaknesses and their passion in life. Talent and enthusiasm should not be wasted. Right?

Yeah, so I've allowed myself to be youtubing, yes youtubing! and googling of course to learn about different products and brands. This is the kind of stuff that would cost me A LOT of money to go and figure out first hand. Cosmetics are expensive!! Especially the ones worth having. And professional make up that is designed for TV, stage and theatre... Crazy expensive. They make the local art and crafts store look like a charity shop!

Ah the art supply shops. I loved them soooooo much as a kid and I think even now, if I was let loose in one of those shops, I would go wild :D so I suppose I always had it in me, the whole interest in arty farty business, its just I could never go anywhere or do anything with it thanks to cost issues. Now, it is different. I have a set amount of money that is my 'own' to spend as I will. Well I have money.... full stop! Not right now at this moment, but compared to the budget I grew up on.... yeah. Significant difference.

So now that I've had my little epiphany, what shall I be doing...? This is what I need to figure out. I guess I'll keep my little bloginder posted :)