Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cassandra Donald. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Cassandra, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I think being an artist, in any field, is all about choosing meaningful projects. It’s about working on things that feed your soul. There’s a lot of work I turn down because it doesn’t feel right. If it doesn’t put a fire in your heart, and make you feel good, then don’t do it! I see so many people choosing artistic endeavors that aren’t for them, and when you force something, people can see it. The best engagement comes from authenticity. The era of social media needing to be perfect is a thing of the past. People want to see what makes you tick, what makes you come alive, what makes you relatable. You can create art and do all of these things while still being true to yourself.

Cassandra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into the modeling industry through a friend, Tom Stancampiano. He was the first photographer I ever worked with, at Blackheart Studio in St. Paul. I was blown away by how much fun it was, and how much confidence I gained. It was so much being able to create different looks and ideas with photographers and watching a concept come to life. I love curating an outfit or shoot location to create magic. I don’t just model, though. I craft and love interior decorating and fashion. I also do hair and makeup! I’ve been doing my own hair since I was 13, I used to make my mom help me bleach my hair at the kitchen table. I ended up going to Cosmetology school, and my focus is on vivid colors, fantasy hair, and custom wigs. I enjoy pressing flowers, making blankets, and doing other diy home improvement and decorating projects. I think what sets me apart in the industry is that I can do my own hair and makeup, am great at styling and curating different outfits and have the ability to mold myself into a different person to make a concept really come alive. I also think that my passion for art and creative endeavors really shines through my art.

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

One thing that was really difficult for me to unlearn was just not caring what people think, and focusing on my own journey. There’s a lot of beautiful models out there, and a lot of talented people and photographers. Everyone is on their own path, and everyone has to make their own way. Nobody else can do me like I can. If I’m true to myself, nobody else’s opinion matters. I think in this day and age of social media, seeing other’s highlight reels can get you down, but remembering that you have your own light that nobody else can take away is important as a creative.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Honestly, I just want to be able to create art and make people feel beautiful. My faveorite part about modeling is seeing an idea come to life, and being able to tell a story with just a simple image. It can be powerful, it can be sad, it can be funny or beautiful, or even risque. My favorite part about doing hair is allowing people to see the beauty they hold. The power that a haircut, or haircolor change, or even wearing the right clothes for your skin tone or body type is unmatched. People often don’t see how beautiful they really are until you show them. Same goes for designing and crafting, especially pressing flowers. It’s all about preserving and enhacning the natural beauty of a person, image, or space.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/terpystardust
• Twitter: twitter.com/nomsyourbrains

Image Credits
Mai Neng @sweet.shutter.boudoir Ian Yankton @littlehawkmedia Blake Nellis @blakenellisphoto (blakenellis.org) Wally Mahnke @wallymahnke Hannah James @writteninlightstudios