We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angelito Pineda. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angelito below.
Angelito , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Hi, thank you so much for inviting me back. It is truly such an honor. I would say the most meaningful project that I’ve ever worked on is my most recent series, “LACY LOVE”. This makeup look is my version of what celebrating love looks like and it was shared on February 14, Valentines day and el did de amor. The creative concept that I came up with for this collection was to have 3 different couples all of different races, sexual orientation, and self identity to wear the same makeup, same theme of clothing, and same overall aesthetic to show how no matter who you share your love with, love looks and feels the same for all. This was the first project I’ve done a video shoot along with my usual photoshoots. The music in this video had great significance as well.
The song “Love Between…” by Kali Uchis is a sample of the song “Love… can be so wonderful” by The Temprees. The original song states “love between a boy and girl can be so wonderful” which of course it is but Kali Uchis version says “love between two human beings can be so wonderful”. It is the same overall message just more inclusive. As someone who is apart of the LGBTQ+ community little things like including our representation in music, media, and art is something I will always be grateful for and it makes me feel seen.
This project is the most meaningful project that I have worked on because it is a full circle experience of growing up and taking the “little wins” of feeling represented in art to now being the creative artist that provides that safe space and representation. LACY LOVE will always hold a special place in my heart.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Yes, of course. Growing up as a competitive dancer allowed me to have a new environment where I felt I was safe to express myself through my creativity and art. We had to wear makeup at these dance competitions and as I got older I payed attention to how my beautiful mother did her makeup and learned through watching. I started doing my own makeup and it lighted a passion in me that I knew then and now was going to be my career. I struggled deeply as a child with my own mind at times. I’ve had anxiety throughout my entire life and sometimes it was difficult to explain in words what I was thinking or even felt. Dance and makeup was truly my therapy as a child and even now to be frank. Having the title of a “creative artist” is a unique full circle moment for myself. I was just an anxious child who struggled expressing myself and now its turned into my career filled with others who relate to my story or who also feel like outcasts who luckily had art to express themselves.
My projects that I work on now relate to my past and to my present as well. “LACY LOVE” is an example of that. As an artist I know my art has an impact and I will use it for good. I will always try my best to be that safe and creative space for myself and others.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
As someone who does not have many followers on social media I greatly appreciate when people who support me interact with any of my posts. Something as small as liking or even reposting makes more eyes look and see something that I created. I’m still learning how to grow my following but as a small creature little things like this make me happy.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I fell in love with makeup at a young age and I truly just started it for fun and to express myself the best way I knew how. As I’m moving into my career I wish I understood what having a community with my art was like. I have a few mutuals on social media who share the same interests I do and understand what it is like. When I worked on my first runway show at 19 it was. a completely new experience because I was surrounded by people who are also creatives and who are all craving to create something new with new people. Having a sense of community is very important in this field and that’s something I wish I. understood was important growing up.
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Image Credits
photo 1 makeup artist, photographer, stylist : Angelito Pineda models : Denise Alfaro ( left ) Anthony Ramos ( right ) photo 2 makeup artist, photographer, stylist : Angelito Pineda model : Denise Alfaro photo 3 makeup artist, photographer, stylist : Angelito Pineda model : Anthony Ramos photo 4 makeup artist, stylist : Angelito Pineda models : Angelito Pineda ( left ) Eunice Rosales ( right ) photo 5 makeup artist, photographer, stylist : Angelito Pineda model : Eunice Rosales photo 6 makeup artist, stylist : Angelito Pineda model : Angelito Pineda photo 7 makeup artist, photographer, stylist : Angelito Pineda models : Flower Pineda ( left ) Ajay Morales ( right ) photo 8 makeup artist, photographer, stylist : Angelito Pineda model : Flower Pineda photo 9 makeup artist, photographer, stylist : Angelito Pineda model : Ajay Morales