We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristen Ward. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristen below.
Kristen, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
In 2016 I had enrolled into beauty school, suggested by my stepdad, because my heart was set on Architecture but a failed relationship and two kids had my finances telling me to just work my normal 9-5. I remember Him saying, “just go get a cosmetology license, it’s quick, and while you go to Architectural School styling hair will pay for it.” I was hesitant but I thought why not just take the tour of the school and see exactly how much the schooling cost and how long I’d have to attend. I signed the papers that same day!
After completing the first 300hrs of work I knew this being a stylist was not the thing for me. I’ve always been creative and artistic but confined to the details of a client!, No not for me. But then I participated in my first hair show! Where there were no rules, no boundaries, no borders! The theme set the tone for hair, outfit, nails and Makeup! I instantly felt a spark I never felt in my life. It was pure passion and creativity that poured out of me to put forth my best representation of Horror, Underwater, Fantasy, or whatever theme they placed before us.
That moment on the stage revealing my completed character, a life that I had thought up and brought into reality like Dr. Frankenstein, a book I was so fond of in high school, was the moment I knew I wanted to create for the rest of my life!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My Artistry name is Kesho Kage, I stumbled upon the beauty industry at a very low time in my life. I had just ended an engagement, had two kids, left my childhood city and moved back into the home of my mother at 26 years old. I enrolled into beauty school as a fast pass to making my financial situation better for myself to get me into architectural school. But while attending the academy I fell head over heels in love with the art form of character creation through the use of hair, nails and especially makeup!
My main focus is creating life worthy characters with the use of makeup completing the story through headpieces, hair styling, nail art, and even prosthetics. I also work on clients, building a beautiful and confident persona for baby showers, weddings, parties, etc. I also love teaching and sharing the knowledge I’ve gained from others and mostly trail and error, one of my favorite way of learning things.
What sets me apart from many other creatives is my creativity, and that’s not to say that I’m the most creative, but I would say I have my own signature and style that takes beauty and dances it on the line of creepy/otherworldly. I rely heavily on contrast of colors and accessories to make a complete character. To me each one has its own story, it’s own life!
This year of 2022 has been filled with goal shattering accomplishments that I’ve been chasing for years, but I have to say, winning a makeup competition has to be the number 1! A makeup company, Blended, hosted a competition sponsored by a company, Indibeat Cosmetics, who gave all participants her products to use throughout the competition. Each week, the 9 contestants plus myself received a theme to create a look for and 4 judges would score you. Winning this just solidified the dream I am chasing is possible!
This industry means so much to me! I want to share as much knowledge as I gather! I want to uplift as much spirits as I can! I want to create as many opportunities possible. I want to create beautiful creatures and characters but I also want to create a beautiful community that blesses people for years after I’m gone.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My current goal that keeps me fighting is the promise of owning my own makeup company! I want to create my own line that celebrates the creative and my spirituality. Something that shows the connection that they have to each other!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative is the beauty behind imagination and reality. It’s the fact that I can vividly see what I want to create, pull it out of that state where it’s just in my mind and establish it here and now in reality. Here wheres it tangible and has a life of its own, there, for me, is no greater feeling!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keshokagemk/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keshokage
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCLRqsshNpqszBkWq-GHR6Uw
- Other: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@keshokage?_t=8Wmep04ONy6&_r=1