This month’s featured talent is amazing makeup artist/photographer/hair stylist/artist, Jessica Payne (aka JP), straight out of Albany, GA! She’s works out of Atlanta now and is definitely not your average girl from the country! She is not only a great person, but has a true talent for the arts! Now working on her Fashion Marketing degree at SCAD, she is definitely one to keep on your watch list for young entrepreneurs of Atlanta…

When I asked JP about her background, here’s what she had to say:

When did you discover this was what you wanted to do?

JP:
I never really wore makeup in high school until my Junior year when I went to homecoming. I then fell in love with the idea of doing different things with it and making myself and others look great not only for everyday, but for special occasions. I started doing all of my friends makeup for proms, going to special events, then later on their weddings.

I knew that was going to be in my future, it was my passion. Moving to Atlanta in 2004 was the motivation to start doing it professionally with a bigger market and demand for the “I want to look my best everyday” crowd. Then with networking as a makeup artist I discovered other things I wanted to do, photography, styling, or anything to do with the fashion market. So, I decided to go to SCAD to expand my horizons and be everything I want to be.

Was makeup your first passion?

JP:
Yes, makeup was my first passion and was a gateway for me to be passionate about the fashion industry. It was a great “gateway drug”.

I like that reference, “gateway drug” Good one!

And who are your influences?

JP:

Kevin Aucoin is an inspiration for me, he can make anyone look like anyone else on earth and his artistic ability is phenomenal.

Yes, Kevin Aucoin was absolutely an amazing talent and the world was lucky to be blessed with him!

Were you and your friends your practice pallets?

JP: I stated this in the first question but yes, my friends were my guinea pigs. The ones that never wore makeup quickly got overwhelmed and scrubbed the eyeshadow off but they appreciated my talents and were great sports in my attempt to make them look like hollywood stars…

And when did you first put your talent on display?

JP: I did an event at Sephora for Urban Decay, it was kind of like a working interview and I wasn’t even supposed to be an artist that day but someone dropped out and I got thrown in, thankfully. I worked for 8 hours with no break and made over as many girls as they needed me to, all getting out of my chair looking awesome. The district manager couldn’t stop giving me compliments and set up an interview the next week.

How do you get inspired?

JP:I get inspired by art, eras, and other people. I like to really look around and take everything in because you never know when it will make it’s way back to the front of your brain!

You do such a wide variety of makeup, how do you bring your ideas to fruition?

JP: I like to know what the occasion is, along with the person if the time is provided. For fashion shows I know pretty much anything goes so those are my favorite. I can make it look artsy, funky, classic, or just weird. For weddings, I like to play it up but not too much because I want her to look the same as when her future husband met her, only better!

What made you do photography?

JP: I have always loved taking photos, being in photos, and looking in photos and have always been interested in it but it wasn’t until a couple of years ago when my fiancee gave me a really nice camera to play with that I actually started doing it. I still have a lot to learn but I plan on taking a photography class at SCAD soon to explore my abilities and try to be the best photographer I can be.

And the art aspect?

JP: If you just look around, everything is art. You can draw it, take a picture of it, or just stimulate your mind with it. All you need is a set of eyes to really see all the colors of the world. I have always loved and appreciated art but now that I am in an art school, it’s totally amplified. I have been taught to use everything as an inspiration.

Where do you see yourself going with it all in next 5 years?

JP; In the next 5 years, I plan on getting married, getting an internship, and graduating from SCAD. I want to style, do makeup, and buy clothing lines for stores. I then eventually want to open a boutique in Atlanta that supports local designers and striving artists like me where people can go to buy clothes, buy art, and get their makeup and hair done all in the same place. I want them to look and feel like a million bucks when they leave my boutique. I kinda gave you my 10 yr plan but oh well!

And plans for next few months?

JP: The next few months I just plan to work and go to school. I am going to begin selling hand painted sports mirrors and hopefully get some weddings and photo shoots booked so visit my website at www.makeupbyjp.com if you wish to do so!

Thanks for all that you do and I am looking forward to what the future brings”

If you would like to book JP for fashion photography, makeup and hair packages, please go to the contact section of the Bella Moda website!