An Inspired Chat with Quinn Heinrichs

Quinn Heinrichs shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Quinn, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve been deeply invested in my Salsa dance journey this past year, and it’s brought me so much joy—not just through the physical movement and expression, but also in how it’s become a part of my daily life. Taking lessons with my husband has made the experience even more meaningful, and it’s also expanded my social circle in such a positive way. I’d recommend Salsa to anyone looking for a wellness-focused activity that’s both fun and fulfilling!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Quinn Heinrichs, a multidisciplinary artist and creative professional based in Vancouver. Since 2017, I’ve worked professionally as a freelance model with a particular passion for showcasing the work of other BIPOC artists—designers, photographers, hairstylists, and product creators—through thoughtful styling, direction, and collaboration. My background in Fashion and Beauty Make-up, along with film industry training from Vancouver Film School, allows me to bring a polished, professional approach to every shoot, while keeping wellness, self-expression, and creativity at the heart of what I do.
Beyond modeling, I’m also a Daytime Emmy and Leo Award–winning Makeup Effects Artist, having worked actively in a creature lab from 2018- 2022 where I’ve specialized in prosthetic fabrication, creature builds, and fine detail work like hair punching—my favorite part of bringing a character to life.. My credits include Aliens Stole My Body (2020), Child’s Play (2019), and Corrective Measures (2022).
Fine art has always been a core part of my identity, and through my brand Color and Sway, I share my personal artwork, custom projects, and collaborations. From murals to portraiture to costuming and art direction, Color and Sway is both a platform for my work and a creative agency rooted in the belief that art inspires wellness and connection.
Recently, I’ve expanded into new avenues: I’m a represented commercial actor, I manage an Afro-Latin dance studio, and I’m growing as a Salsa performer. Dance, like modeling and art, has become another way for me to merge physical expression, wellness, and community building.
Across everything I do—whether in front of the camera, in the studio, or on the dance floor—I’m passionate about detail, collaboration, and creating opportunities for others to feel inspired and supported in their own creative journeys.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
I come from a very artistic family, and they taught me the most about work. From a young age, I understood through them that art and creativity are not only fulfilling, but also valuable and worthy of respect as a legitimate career path. Too often, the arts are seen as something you do for leisure rather than a means of supporting yourself and your family, and that mindset can become an additional barrier to success in these fields.
Watching my family constantly building—whether it was leatherwork, painting, tattooing, carpentry, stained glass, or illustrating beloved comic strips for the local paper,— it showed me that creative ventures truly add value to the world. That example makes me proud to do what I do today. It’s also encouraging to see more resources emerging to support artists with business management and financial literacy. I am especially grateful to the resources dedicated to the Black community. I’m grateful for those spaces that not only honor creativity, but also equip us to sustain it.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me that discomfort is not failure, it’s a sign to pivot—As a Super Virgo, that’s something I need to remind myself of daily.
Sometimes you really do have to land flat on your face—maybe more than once—to understand your next move. As an artist living in Vancouver, I’ve learned that if you don’t define your own successes, you’ll only feel the weight of struggle. For me, success is about gratitude, growth, and self-definition. I take pride in being savvy enough to understand that not only do we get to define our own success, but we also get to define what suffering means—and how it shapes us.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
This has definitely shifted over the years, and I’m much more intentional now about what I share online than I used to be. Something I always remind myself—and others—is that social media, whether for fun or for business, is ultimately a highlight reel. There’s always struggle, stress, and a lot of behind-the-scenes work that doesn’t make it onto the feed.
In reality, I’m quite introverted and love recharging at home with my husband and our plants. At the same time, I give energy to networking, uplifting others, and creating community to achieve my goals—and I genuinely enjoy those aspects, too. One thing I’ve struggled with (maybe it’s the Virgo in me!) is sharing process or anything that doesn’t feel polished, because I’ve worked in industries where art wasn’t subjective—there was a clear right or wrong way to do things. That kind of pressure naturally builds perfectionism.
Both sides are authentic: the version of me that can show up, connect, and create, and the version of me that burns out and second-guesses myself. Having a hand in so many different industries only amplifies that balance—it’s exciting, but it can also be overwhelming at times. Asking for help—or allowing myself to do things I’m not “good” at just for the sake of joy—is something I’m still learning, but it’s also part of being real.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes, definitely. Over time, my needs and understanding of myself—my strengths, challenges, and priorities—have shifted, which has also changed my perspective on what I truly want. For example, stepping back from my career as a makeup effects artist to focus on my health and well-being was a turning point. At that time, I realized it wasn’t possible to fully have both my dream job and maintain my health, and I had to take time to grieve that.

Since then, I’ve made several pivots—operating Color and Sway out of my home, opening an external commercial space, and then shifting back again. I’ve also transitioned from working behind the camera in the makeup department to being in front of it as a performer, signing with representation after building my career as a freelance model. These experiences have taught me to realign my goals around wellness, upliftment, and family, which has significantly reduced disappointment and feelings of overwhelm. Ultimately, I’ve learned that sometimes getting what you thought you wanted (or what you’re told you should want!) is just part of the process of understanding what truly matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.colorandsway.com/
• Instagram: www. instragram.com/@quinndeyel www.instagram.com/@colorandsway
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinn-heinrichs-08bb28329

Image Credits
Renit Raghavan
Ariella Horvath
Mat Lo
Dizzy Dlux