Meet Amaris Marquez Hunter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amaris Marquez Hunter.

Amaris, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
To begin on where I started as a multitasking artist, the challenge was first accepted when I was in high school, back home in Yakima, Washington. I had started a band in early 2015 with my sister and two other girls who we’d befriended through my parents’ networking. We needed people to jam out with. I arranged acoustic arrangements of pop songs we all knew. We figured we were good enough to make some money with our sound so I got connected with people interested in featuring local artists. I had become the manager of the band. As a visual artist, I was reminded the option to create merchandise; we wanted to give our audiences something to take home. I had been practicing making portraits just the year before, so I drew up a little something of everyone, put it in photoshop for color, and applied a fancy little font with our band name. After moving to the Los Angeles area in 2016, I dove deeper in practicing my arts. I sold portraits for a while and developed my voice and routine as a visual artist.

I have been inspired and encouraged by many artists over the past four years, who gave me opportunities to grow and apply what I had which was valuable as a visual artist and as a musician. I am grateful to the community of the Seattle Fandango Project, and my parents who are deeply rooted in artistic community practice. I am also grateful to the continued mentorship of Dr. Martha Gonzalez and Quetzal Flores. This year, upon opportunity, I stepped up to expand my artistic capabilities by doing makeup for some friends formerly known as COLOR the Band. Although I usually keep an attitude gently balanced between “here to have a good time” and “I will do anything to help,” I was encouraged to continue on this path as a makeup artist. Most often, I felt that the opportunities made themselves because of the way I could connect with people. The gigs that followed this include makeup for other photoshoots and video shoots and modeling.

Has it been a smooth road?
The struggle I most often found along my path to nurture my career as an artist was the sense of isolation as I transitioned into LA life. I mourned the sense of distance between myself and the communities back home that found me valuable and worthy. While growing more in a new community, it was difficult to find what I needed, both mentally and artistically. I was intimidated by the massive level of success, and the tolls that it came with. Because of this, I had major doubts about myself as an artist.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I consider myself a multifaceted contract artist. I do makeup for low budget projects like photoshoots and music videos, and commission portraits and other visual art. Those who have contacted me for photoshoots/music videos hire me as a makeup artist to interpret a stylist’s “natural look” or that “glossy editorial-esque” look. Those who contact me as an artist are interested in commissioned portrait pieces. And I also play guitar and sing in local churches like Living Hope church of Temple City. Since I am still fresh on the market, I feel I have a lot to learn. This has encouraged me to be myself as an artist, to stick to my gut, and be open to the lessons that each gig has to offer. I am proud of the work that I have the ability to apply as an artist, and I am equally grateful for those who have welcomed me and valued my artistic intuition.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I adore Los Angeles for its people. They are powerful, creative, and rich in culture. I admire those who the city belongs to and the passion that manifests in their talent. I think the common struggle is the fast-pace work-life paired with a sporadic social life. Life blows up one month and then it’s quiet for two. A lot of the time, our initiation is what saves us from that sense of isolation; warming up to it is like performing that rhythmic sway before jumping in to double dutch.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]

Image Credit:
Skate Shoot,” “Wedding,” “Egyptian Cowgirl Shoot1,” by photographer Stevie Card. “held” by Amaris Marquez Hunter. “Makeup for Carrousel, October shoot,” by Sharon Piedt.

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