We were lucky to catch up with Emmalani Howe recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Emmalani thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
The visionaries who have made iconic characters in film never cease to experiment with their medium, tools, and expression. If I could go back, knowing what I know now, I would have spent more time experimenting with creating characters before my formal education at Make-Up Designory.
Advancing as a makeup artist requires one to become a kinesthetic learner; In order to get good at what you do, you must simply keep doing it. This fosters a dynamic creative process which encourages experimentation and innovation as artists feel more empowered to explore new techniques and push boundaries.
Makeup is like magic. The possibilities are endless – especially when you’re on set, and only have a few moments to make an artistic decision. It’s in these moments that the experimental process truly comes alive. The pressure and risk force you to trust your intuitions, taste, and understanding of the directors’ vision. In this environment is not only when you learn the fastest, but also where your greatest ideas will come to life.
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 background and context?
My path to makeup artistry was anything but conventional; though my fascination with makeup started when I was a child, my career began with the study of Japanese language and culture. After completing my undergraduate degree, I moved to Japan to teach English to the Japanese youth.
Having immersed myself in the rich tapestry of my Japanese culture for over three years, mastering the language and embracing its culture, I re-discovered my true calling. After my decade-long odyssey exploring Japan’s language & diverse aesthetics, I returned to California with a newfound determination—to breathe life into characters through the transformative power of makeup and effects.
My unique cultural journey influences both my creations and my character in the present, as I collaborate with directors and producers in the television and film industry to realize their visions for visceral scenes and haunting characters.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I reflect on my journey of living in Japan for three years, I am reminded of the resilience and determination that carried me through that transformative experience. Moving to a country across the world, immersing myself in a new culture, and learning the language from scratch was incredibly challenging, but it ultimately taught me an invaluable lesson: that with unwavering determination, you can achieve anything in life.
Living in Japan required me to step out of my comfort zone on a daily basis. I encountered numerous obstacles—language barriers, cultural differences, and the inevitable homesickness that comes with being removed from everything familiar. However, instead of letting these challenges deter me, I embraced them as opportunities for growth and learning.
Through perseverance and a willingness to adapt, I not only became fluent in Japanese but also developed a deep appreciation for the culture and its artistic traditions. This experience instilled in me a profound sense of self-confidence and resilience. It showed me that if I could thrive in such a radically different environment, I could apply the same determination and adaptability to any pursuit, including my newfound passion for makeup artistry.
Now, as I develop my career as a special effects makeup artist, I carry with me the belief that the possibilities are truly endless. Just as I conquered challenges in Japan, I am ready to meet the demands of my creative journey head-on. With the same resilience and determination that propelled me through those transformative years abroad, I am eager to bring directors’ and producers’ visions to life on screen, pushing the boundaries of creativity and embracing the limitless potential of my medium.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My creative journey is fueled by a profound aspiration to become the absolute best in my craft and to share my creativity and influence with others to create magic. My goal is not just to master the technical aspects of makeup and special effects, but also to harness the transformative power of creativity to push the limits of film, effects, character makeup, and artistry. My mission is to take part in the creative practice, making every character and scene I help create a testament to the generative drive.
I am driven by the desire to collaborate with like-minded individuals—friends and colleagues whom I genuinely care about and respect. Together, I aspire to create cinematic experiences that captivate audiences and leave lasting impressions. For me, the true magic of this journey lies in the shared pursuit of excellence and innovation within a supportive and passionate community.
By surrounding myself with people I love and trust, I aim to cultivate an environment where creativity flourishes and boundaries are constantly challenged. My mission is to not only create visually stunning works but also to inspire and empower others to explore their own artistic potential.
Ultimately, I envision a future where my work contributes to the evolution of storytelling in film and television, leaving a legacy of creativity, collaboration, and boundless imagination – building upon the legacy left by the great artists that came before. Every project is an opportunity to weave magic, and I am committed to embracing this journey with passion, purpose, and a relentless pursuit of creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: em-mua-lani.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/em.mua.lani/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmalani.howe
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalani-howe-72b213b3/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/emhowe__
Image Credits
Deverill Weekes, Hugo Arvizu, Griffin Riley, Kameron Renteria
Suggest a Story: CanvasRebel is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.