May 7, 2018

Life and Work with Amy Sparks

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Sparks.

Amy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born in Burbank, California. I am not the typical makeup artist. I never grew up with the dream of being a makeup artist. Living here in Burbank, so close to Hollywood. I never grew up star struck. It was just part of the landscape of my life. I went to a small private high school and had a best friend whose mom was a makeup artist. But still I never considered it to be a passion of mine. I went off to study at the University of California at Santa Barbara and graduated in 1998 with honors and made Dean’s List all four years attending. After graduating there I felt an absence of creative passion. And I literally had a dream I was doing makeup on someone. So I called up that same best friend who was now a makeup artist herself and told her that I thought I wanted to be a makeup artist. I had no training. No skill at it. So I began going to night school at Makeup Designory in Burbank, Ca in 1998 and quickly became a member of IATSE 706 Makeup and Hair Union in 1999. Since joining I have continued to work with some of the best makeup artists, cast and crews in the business. I have continued to learn on the job and continued to push myself to sharpen my makeup skills. To this day I have spent many 1000’s of hours on sets to perfect the art makeup. In addition to set makeup I spent my time in the private sector beautifying individuals for weddings, parties, special events, red carpet events and much more. I have worked with the cream of the crop of makeup artists and have learned what professionalism is needed to get the job done. In the end I LOVE what I do.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has not always been smooth. I have had my ups and my downs. Work has been plentiful and then there has been times when it has been slow. Feast or famine is what we call it. But I think over the years I have learned to stay true to myself. And find who I really am. And that is half the battle. People want to work with good people. And I think that you get more bees with honey.
Now a days there are so many different types of makeup artists. There are the youtube artists. Wedding Makeup artists. Then you have influencers. You have strictly set makeup artists. SPFX makeup artists. Or you can be a personal makeup artist. So there are a lot of ways into the makeup world to which you can show your talent as a makeup artist. I think the best advice in today is to know what you want to do and stick to that. It’s so easy to be get caught up in what everyone else is doing and loose sight of your goals. But if you want to work on sets. Go for it. Connect with people who work on sets. And keep pursuing them. Reach out to them. It is tough out there. There are alot of artist wanting the same job you want. You have to work hard to get jobs. But if you have a great attitude and the skills to match you will work.

Please tell us about Amy Sparks Professional Makeup Artist .
I specialize in beauty makeup. I love to make people look and feel like feel a million bucks. The goal is to make them look like themselves but the best version of them. There is nothing more gratifying than them looking in the mirror and feeling overwhelmed with JOY. It brings me so much pleasure. That’s why I am in this business.

Also I love to make a product. I love the tv/film process. I love that I can be apart of something that 1000’s of people watch. I love hearing that someone watches a show that I work on. And that I had something to do with it.
Bringing an element of happiness to someone’s life is part of the fabric of who I am.

I am no different than other makeup artists really. We all use a brush and paint faces. We all make people happy and bring joy to people. I am just me.

There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Social media is so important. Based on what kind of artistry you want to get into, follow those artists. Begin to have a relationship with them. Personal message them. Ask to assist them. Networking is so key!!! Be persistent but not annoying. There is a fine line.

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