Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Danielle
Hi Barbara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My Journey in the World of Makeup
Introduction
My name is Barbara Danielle, I am 27 years old, I’m from Chile, and I have been traveling to Los Angeles since 2019. I’ve been living in this beautiful city since June 2023. I began my journey in makeup in 2018 while studying veterinary medicine at the University of Chile. I have always loved drawing and painting, skills that helped me memorize the anatomy of different species.
Origins and Early Years
I come from a low-income family and was raised by a single mother. Despite our hardships, art was always my refuge. I grew up in a rural area without internet, paved roads, or a complete house, but I inherited many books and encyclopedias from my grandparents. One of them was an art history book that sparked a deep fascination with history and human development.
Discovery of Makeup
I began exploring facial makeup because I was intrigued by the ability to change shapes and create visual illusions. I was fascinated by the idea of depicting creatures from imaginary civilizations or embodying mythological beings from the collective imagination. I left home at 16 to fully focus on my studies and obtain a university scholarship.
NYX Face Awards 2019
During a university break, I discovered the international NYX Face Awards competition. I was amazed by the production quality and creativity of makeup artists worldwide. Winning that contest offered the chance to travel to Los Angeles and receive a cash prize. I set out to win and achieved it, earning the title of “2019 Artist of the Year Chile.”
I traveled to the United States and, despite not speaking English, was amazed by the materials and resources I had only seen in YouTube tutorials. However, upon returning to Chile, the pandemic and political issues further complicated opportunities to work in facepainting. I never considered makeup a hobby because I needed income to survive, so I decided to create online classes based on my self-taught skills.
Education and Teaching
In Chile, no one was doing makeup like mine, so I can confidently say I was a pioneer in my field. I designed easy-to-follow, intimate, and personalized classes. I taught over 1000 artists, and to this day, I have instructed a significant number of Chilean makeup artists. My passion for teaching fueled my desire to continue improving and help other artists discover their potential and means of expression.
A New Chapter in Los Angeles
In 2021, I traveled to Los Angeles to learn English, as most content on special effects is in that language. Thanks to a mutual friend, I met my husband. Considering the possibility of living in this city was difficult because, in Chile, I was building an artistic community and moving toward my goal of creating opportunities for low-income artists.
The United States is one of the hardest countries to immigrate to, so I researched the artist visa. I returned to Chile, opened my studio and physical academy, and created the first immersive body makeup experience with exhibitions of photo-novels, music, and performances. The goal was to introduce people to this art by showcasing mythical creatures and visual illusions. My now husband took care of the music and traveled to Chile to perform at the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center.
Overcoming Challenges and Resilience
This work and my career with Chilean celebrities helped me get the media coverage needed for my visa. Gathering the required documents, awards, and achievements was challenging. My friends recommended hiring a lawyer, but the cost was close to $7,000. To save money, I slept on the floor of my studio and stayed with friends. During this time, I suffered an assault and sexual abuse, which made me reconsider my boundaries and priorities.
Recent Achievements and Future Goals
Since arriving in Los Angeles with just one suitcase a year and a half ago, I have continued creating and working on my art. I also collaborate with the special effects studio Nocturnal Designz, led by KC Mussman, where I have had the opportunity to work on films and with celebrities. This experience has been crucial to my growth.
Now, I am focused on developing my brand and my creations independently. Teaching will always be my driving force. My latest achievement was winning first place in the World Bodypainting competition, held since 1997 in Austria, the most prestigious event in the field.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether through a survival instinct instilled in me since childhood or my passion for art, no situation can stop me. I live for my art and will continue working to bring it to as many people as possible. Art has saved me many times, and I hope it can help others, too.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Every journey has its ups and downs, and all these aspects have forged resilience in me.”
There is a history of mental illness in my family that made my childhood difficult and left a mark on me—suicide, depression, etc. I mention this because it influenced my upbringing and my relationship with my mother.
My childhood was marked by significant hardships and difficult situations. The early years were affected by child abuse. When I was 9 years old, I was prescribed antidepressants, but they were not given to me due to family concerns. Later on, thanks to makeup, I was able to pay for psychological therapy and medication. I am currently not undergoing any treatment, and I feel quite well.
Among the positive things that have shaped me is the fact that my mother is a woman with multiple talents. She is an academic, dancer, musician, and visual artist. I have witnessed her constant struggle to overcome mental health challenges and how this has influenced her personal development. She is currently finishing her university degree in veterinary medicine. She also participated in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? due to a special anecdote about how she met my stepfather in something like a strip club in Chile. My grandfather is a writer, entrepreneur, singer, and—funnily enough—a psychotherapist.
I have three younger siblings. Their safety and the ability to help them on their paths are among my biggest priorities.
My biological father was born and lives in São Paulo, Brazil. My connection with him is limited. I have traveled to Brazil, but I have not yet met him in person.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My body art is characterized by dark, seductive, and intricate feminine silhouettes inspired by Baroque art, H.R. Giger, Takato Yamamoto, Alex Grey. and world history. My face art is distinctive for its intricate drawings, optical illusions, and surrealism.
Based on my performance in competitions, I am among the best in the world. I work with limited materials and unconventional techniques, always striving to spend as little as possible, even if it requires more effort and precision. For example, my first-place piece at the 2024 World Bodypainting Festival was made with liquid latex, EVA foam, and mattress foam.
What makes me proud? The fact that, even if I only have two dollars in my account, I’ve never stopped creating. I believe every artist has something unique that sets them apart. My specialty is fantasy, but I also excel in glam makeup. I strive to be a well-rounded artist.
I would define my style as a blend of organic shapes intricately fused with a futuristic dystopian world. However, what can be seen on my social media is heavily influenced by Instagram trends and the need to adapt to digital marketing, i struggle a lot with this.
When I have the necessary foundation, I will launch my collection of creations to the world. I want to create related merchandise, film shorts, offer immersive experiences, organize festivals, and more. I have big aspirations and hope that one day, I will be able to establish a foundation that supports artists from underprivileged backgrounds.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I love to dance, most of the time, I consider my work mediocre. I post only 20% of what I do. I would love to learn how to produce music. Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll see me DJing at a rave, rocking some crazy makeup.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbaradanielle.art
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbaradanielle.art/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@barbaradanielleart
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@barbaradanielle.art
Image Credits
Natalia belmar, Arte pierrot, Michael vincent academy
