We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chelsea Sule. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chelsea below.

Chelsea, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes, I have been self supporting for a total of 10 years on my creative work. I spent 5 years at a corporate job from 2016-2021, but transitioned back to full time artist during the pandemic. I didnt originally seek to support myself this way, my career started as a hobby, then a side hustle while I was in college. After graduation, I found a full time job as a makeup artist, and went freelance while bartending. I quit all other jobs in 2012 and worked as a full time freelance makeup artist up until 2016 when I was offered my job managing artists. The steps and milestones were always subtle to begin with, and then as I became busier, I was “forced out of my nest” as I was no longer able to keep a boss happy with my schedule commitments due to my freelance career taking off.

For me, there was no way to speed up the process. I have never had any outside financial support from parents, partners or otherwise. I’ve been on my own since I was 19, and I have had to work for everything I have, from the roof over my head to the food on my table. The only thing I could potentially go back to change would have been to either skip traditional college altogether, or go to an art school, as I always knew I was made to be an artist. I am still learning every day how to budget with an inconsistent income, and how to continuously level up and invest in myself.

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?

My name is Chelsea Sule, and I am an artist, I was born and raised in Green Bay, WI, where I had my start drawing and painting in elementary school. I also began working in the beauty industry at my mothers salon at age 14 as a receptionist, where I also received education in hair and makeup through the classes they offered.

I moved to North Carolina in 2006, and during college, I worked at a Clinique counter, and then freelanced on weddings and photoshoots. After graduation, I began working full time at a salon as a hair assistant and makeup artist, and bartended on the weekend to pay the bills. In 2012, I started working with my first agency, traveling all over the east coast to work for Fashion shows and various photo shoots and productions. After 10 years in NC, I moved to Miami to sign with Ford Artists and further my career. Ford was short lived, as they shut down their artist agency, and I signed with Wilhelmina. A few months later, my life shifted again in a big way when Wilhelmina offered me a full time position as an artist agent and manager in Los Angeles. I worked as an agent for 5 years, 3 at Wilhelmina and 2 at Celestine Agency, before I returned to being a freelance makeup and hair artist in 2021 during the pandemic. Currently, I am represented by Celestine, and work on photoshoots, fashion shows, events, weddings, and with celebrities for the red carpet.

Throughout my life, I’ve continued to paint as a hobby, and began learning to work with music as a DJ in 2022. I’ve recently rebranded myself from Makeup/Hair artist, to Artist, as I have been selling my original paintings and prints. Eventually, I’d love to have a career in music production, fine art, and makeup/hair, which will allow me to express myself fully as an artist in every field I’m passionate about.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My current goal is to create a stable, inspiring, and fulfilling life for myself and others. I don’t have a specific monetary goal in mind, but rather one of financial freedom with residual income. My biggest mission is to speak to others, give back, and move them through my art. Whether that be making people feel confident through makeup and hair, invoking emotion through a painting, or healing through music on the dance floor, I want to share my full spectrum of emotions through my art in a way that creates a ripple effect of inspiration to anyone who comes in contact with me or my work. I truly believe that art will save this world, and I want to be one of the people inspiring others.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

To me, the most rewarding aspect is inspiring others and making them feel good through my work. As a makeup and hair artist, I love making people feel beautiful and connecting with them. Makeup and hair work is vulnerable. Our clients are allowing us to touch their face, put various creams, oils, serums and products on their skin. They trust me to brush and heat style their hair, and ultimately create a look in our vision that suits them. Through painting and music, we have the power to heal ourselves and speak to others through color and sound. My absolute favorite compliment is “you inspire me.” To me, there are no better words to hear. I love seeing others begin to express themselves creatively after being in contact with me. Everyone is creative, everyone is an artist in their own way. When I can help to bring out that creative side, it makes me feel like I’m doing exactly what I was put on this earth to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chelseasulemua.com
• Instagram: @chelseasulemua or @chelchiiii
• Twitter: @chelchiiii

Image Credits
France and Jesse – black sand photo, bikini photo, snow photo Phoebe Fitz – Underwater photo