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

Johannah Beth , 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?

I am a full time makeup artist and sole provider for myself. And one thing I will say, is it isn’t a linear experience.

I began my journey here in NYC as a makeup artist about 10 years ago. Back then I was new in town, young in my craft and barely knew anyone. I searched for 3 months for work. I was lucky to have a partner at the time to help support me, otherwise I’m not sure what I would have done. I applied everywhere until The Red Door in Union Square accepted me as a retail makeup artist, and from there I began my journey as an artist in NYC.

The thing I was missing from my journey was the proper community around me. I barely knew anyone and those I knew/met, were in the same boat as me – feeling like they didn’t have the manual. I was missing a mentor, and didn’t know how to secure one. I was missing the community of people to help me understand the steps I needed to take to move forward in my career. I was also missing an adhd/ocd diagnosis as well – which proved to be one of my biggest road blocks, that I didn’t even know about.

Freelancing/working full time as an artist, is an ever evolving journey, which in turn, is an ever evolving spiritual journey of self.

Johannah Beth , 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?

Anyone who may know of me outside my network or clientele, would know me from my viral “geode lips” a few years back. It was a creative endeavor of “lip art” that snagged the attention of most major publications and a viral sensation on Instagram.

However, as exciting and creative that was for me, what truly defines me as makeup artist is my day to day work with my clientele.

My experience and range includes editorial, fashion, brand campaigns, e-comm, corporate, celebrity/private clients, NYFW and education.

But if I could select the areas of my work I love the most, it would be my regular clientele, education and photoshoots. (even though I love all the diversity my career brings overall).
I have been so privileged to be with my clients for so many important and exciting moments of their lives – opening nights, red carpet, tv spots, galas, events, weddings and so on. I love being a factor in what brings everything together for their important moment.

I specialize in being proficient in all skin types and tones – flawless complexion. This is my biggest point of pride in my career, knowing I can expertly work with and all clients and make them feel their most self.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

It’s less about what I wish I knew, as it is what I wish existed.

I wish there were resources that helped bring artists and creatives together and offer support and guidance.

Mentorship programs, business development education, financial planning, client outreach, industry know-how, insurance and taxes support etc etc.

Being a freelancer and an artist, you often feel it’s all up to you to figure out absolutely everything, and a lot of the time no one is going out of their way to offer knowledge and assistance.

This is why I now try to give knowledge and support where I can within my community. We all have to rise.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I believe that most career artists and creatives all feel the same way, in the sense that what we offer professionally, isn’t seen as valuable or important as other vocations. That non-creatives may not always take what we do seriously, when we are actually very serious about it.

My journey as an artist personally has been to be well educated, diverse and available to my clients, an educator to other artists and to also advocate for our place in this industry – that what we do and value and should be seen as such.

Part of our journey as artists is to see the value in ourselves and then to show others that value – especially those responsible for hiring and paying us. This can be quite exhausting and often demoralizing.

This is our career and not our hobby.
But always our passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.makeupbyjoh.com
• Instagram: @makeup.byjoh

Image Credits
Black and white photos are by Sklaar Studio Ig: @skylaar.studio