Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Brown.
Jen, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been an artist, even as a kid. I was constantly painting and drawing well into high school. After graduating I followed the dreams of being a painter to Columbia College Chicago for fine art. After a year of school, I was still unsure of where I wanted to go, what I wanted to be, and whether or not I wanted to continue the program. I left Columbia to try some makeup courses- it interested me, but I didn’t think much of it in terms of a career. Lo and Behold, it was the perfect match for me!
My basic understanding of color theory and light and shading from my painting/sculpture background really translated well for makeup artistry. I loved that I could be in a new place every day working with different people all the time. I loved the challenge of creating an image with a team. The first couple of years I worked tirelessly to reach out to people about test shoots and really focus on getting better at understanding makeup as well as taking direction and criticism.
From there my name started to circulate and I started booking jobs! It was so exciting! I’ll never forget the rush of nerves on that first commercial shoot. That first gig really pushed me to work as hard as I could to get my name out there! Lots of networking, testing, practicing and really just putting myself and my work out in the world has allowed me to build my business from an occasional makeup artist to a full-time freelancer, and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been so fortunate to have people believe in me, my talent and my love for creating
Has it been a smooth road?
ha Is it ever a “smooth road”?? Of course, I have had my share of struggles and failures. That’s how we learn. I’ve been turned down for jobs, I’ve had to fight for fair rates, I’ve had to chase down people for checks, I’ve had to deal with big egos (ie; other artists or other industry people), I’ve had to work really hard to prove myself. That- even to this day- is something that I struggle with! There are always jobs where I feel like I really need to prove that I am as experienced and reliable as I hope I’m known as.
Carving your way as a full-time artist is never easy. You will always be met with rejection or criticism or you may just not jive with some people. But those are the things that make you a better artist and business person. It’s so important to have those experiences, so you can learn to handle it better the next time. I think, in the beginning, I had to approach everything with a lot of confidence to sell myself– later on, I had to learn to be more humble so I could continue to grow as an artist and a person.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a full-time freelance makeup/hair artist. I specialize in commercial and print work, but I also do weddings as well. I conduct pretty much all of my work on location- so I don’t have a home base or studio that I do jobs out of. I think I’m known for my bubbly presence on set as well as my work ethic.
I work really hard when I’m on a job. I want to make sure that everyone is happy- whether it’s a bride, or a director, photographer, I want to make sure I’m doing the best job in the most time efficient way possible. My makeup style is definitely very clean, minimal, and often focused on multifaceted products– I’m all about ways to make your makeup routine as easy as possible. I focus a lot of my energy on beautiful skin. Skincare is definitely a big component for me.
I really think my personality sets me apart from other artists. I am very serious/hardworking while on set, but I’m also good at balancing that with an upbeat, bubbly persona. Having a good attitude (especially in stressful situations) and problem-solving on the spot are two things I think I am strong at– making me and my work stand out.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think Chicago is a great city for freelance artists. There is a LOT of work here. While I do think it works well because Chicago is not as oversaturated as LA or NY, there is plenty of room for people to work as artists. It’s still an affordable city and it’s bursting with so much talent. I think it’s a great place to settle down! If you’re seeking a more fashion/editorial adventure, I’d persuade you to pursue a career in NY/LA. While Chicago has some incredible designers, we don’t have the big magazines or fashion houses to support a strong fashion scene.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jenbrownmakeup.com
- Email: jen.b.makeup@gmail.com
- Instagram: jenbrownmakeup
- Facebook: jenbrownmakeup
- Twitter: jenbrownmakeup
Image Credit:
Rachel Brown Kulp, Ian Merritt, Stephanie Bassos, Jennifer Avello, Kyle LaMere
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
