We recently connected with Anjel Webster and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Anjel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

After many years of trying to find my niche in this industry, I am finally at point where I am making a full time living doing what I love to do. The hardest part of it all is taking a leap of faith by walking away from your full time job to pursue your passion. It’s the scariest thing to do because it’s completely uncertain. I made a decision to invest in property at a young age and when I decided to sell it I knew that I would be able to support myself through this journey.
At the time my father was also diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and I was to be his full time care taker meaning I needed to relocate. If I hadn’t made this move of walking away from my career with a major cosmetic company I was with for over a decade I wouldn’t have been able to care for my father the way I was able to during his final days and that has meant more to me than anything.
After that my mission was to become a freelance makeup artist. I spent my time reaching out to photographers that were local to my area. Often times I wouldn’t receive any responses at all or they were already working with a makeup artist. However it was those few yes’ that gave me so much opportunity and helped me get to where I am now.

Anjel, 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?

Right out of high school I started working with a major cosmetic company and continued to grow with them for many years. It was here I learned the art of this industry where I still get to practice my hand at it every day. I also learned how to run a business, marketing, client service, all of which I put into practice presently. Today while I still do all types of makeup artistry for different events and ocasions my specialty lies in makeup for headshots.
I specialize in Actors headshot makeup as well as Business headshot makeup.
It’s a really unique niche because I get to work with actors and assist in creating their characters by building the application of makeup and hair for their individual headshots. It’s a series of small amounts of adjustments made to embody a different persona. My goal for any given day may be to make someone look like a polished professional, a preppy school girl or an escaped convict.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

What I’ve learned is that ‘word of mouth’ goes a long way. There is nothing more appreciated than someone recommending your business to another. In addition to that, tagging the creator in your posts gives the them the ability to be noticed by others and recognized for their work. Supporting a small business by use of creatives can have a huge impact on their success, growth and reach within their local community. Utilizing a hand letterer for invitations, booking a local photographer for your family portraits or even an artist for a mural. At then end of the day you’r going to have something unique and one of a kind and that’s the best part of working with a creative.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Coming from a place where I had built a reputation and a name for myself as well as a decent salary and choosing to walk away from that and head towards a direction where I essentially had to start all over again was a major learning curve. Its day one all over again and you have to figure it all out on your own because you’re managing yourself at this point.
Having to rebuild a name for yourself in an industry you think you should already be known in is a humbling experience.
I had juggled working as a freelance artist in the local community while also working my full time job in the same industry just a different aspect of it. It took a long time for me to establish myself as a freelance artist, you have to really take yourself seriously.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.anjelw.com
• Instagram: @_anjelicamarie_

Image Credits
Anette During