We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angie Shell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Angie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I’m thrilled with the path I’ve pursued. I spent a lot of time really afraid to pursue the arts. When I was about to turn 20 I took entry exams for my local community college in hopes of getting my education to pursue a career as an art therapist. I wanted to be creative but also practical. Eventually, I toured the New York campus of the school I would attend a year later, and all that flew out the window. Makeup had been a hobby to me for so long, and I was ready to alchemize my passion into something real and authentic. Attending Make-Up Designory was the start of that chapter.

Angie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started dabbling in beauty makeup and prosthetic application when I was 15. I learned how to apply for production at a haunted house in Pennsylvania, and was self-taught in beauty due to my involvement in dance and pageants from a very early age. Growing up I was avid in sports and extracurriculars, but ultimately makeup and painting took over. I specialize in prosthetic application, camera-ready and beauty makeup, and light hair styling as well. In January 2022, I was hired at Immortal Masks and shortly after joined their paint department. Growing up in the haunt industry, I was no stranger to this company. I had grown up admiring the different sculpts and paint jobs that brought these monsters to life. My late mentor had a mask-making company of his own, so I almost always had a gut feeling that this aspect of the industry would suit me and my abilities.
Since then, I’ve used the knowledge I’ve gained to improve my prosthetic application and paint jobs, as well as improve my abilities in canvas painting. I was very fortunate to have participated in a demonstration at the International Makeup Artist Trade Show (IMATS) this past January alongside 3 other artists led by Shelby Patton. My work can also be seen at Universal Halloween Horror Nights, 6 Flags, and other amusement park haunts through my contributions to Immortal Masks. My goal and mission in my career is to be a part of the solution paving the way for women to take part in the horror genre. I like to think of myself as an artist before I am a make-up artist. Honing in on my foundational skillset and focusing on my craft as an empowering art has helped me truly develop my work and grow into the kind of artist I want to become.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I have a personal connection to Stephen King’s work, as many horror enthusiasts do, and I had been given his memoir, “On Writing”, as a gift. I didn’t realize what an effect it would have on me at the time. I very often revisit it now, King’s experiences and journey as a writer moved me to tears and he speaks so candidly about his experiences and the hard choices you have to make as a creative. I highly recommend this book to everyone, but especially creatives who feel alone in their trials and tribulations and need support on their personal journey to recovery. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill was also a huge influence, it speaks on the philosophy of wealth. I think this is another one of those books that everyone should read at least once, it speaks on being committed to your goals through the method of radical persistence and what it truly means to consider oneself “rich”.
Overall I am extremely drawn to memoirs and stories of artists and entrepreneurs that came before me and what they went through to accomplish their goals. It’s so important to listen to the creatives that come before us and soak up their wisdom if they’re generous enough to share it.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

As of right now, there is so much society can do not only to support local artists but the entertainment industry as well. Standing in Solidarity with WGA and SAG throughout the current strike is crucial to the industry and the future of film. Of course, taking part in the pickets is beneficial to the movement, and just educating yourself and others on how to properly show your respect and solidarity. To have a thriving creative ecosystem it’s important to evolve our industries in an equitable way that’s beneficial to creatives who have devoted their lives to their craft. The general public being in support of that is everything.
Purchasing art from local or independent artists, and attending art shows, conventions, and local concerts, are all ways we can nurture our collective creativity as a culture overall.

Contact Info:

• Website: angieshellhamermakeupartist.weebly.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monstersbyang/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@monstersbyang

Image Credits
Head Shot – Caleb Seth Czuszak Working Photo Credits (In No Order) : Rodin Eckenroth Ben Wilson Elissa Mora Jim Donnelly Eric Anderson