The Unique Connections Between The Artist and the Observer
Image Courtesy: Hope Pumphrey
Makeup artist Hope Pumphrey has had a passion for makeup art and design since she was introduced to it in high school and now has much to say about this expressive niche. This lively conversation reveals some unique perspectives on makeup and how it relates to the queer community.
Q: What inspired you to pursue makeup? What is your background with it? In terms of your work, do you have any favorite projects?
A: I was around twelve or thirteen years old when I started constantly watching tutorials and trying out looks for myself. Also, I practiced on my friends who would ask me to do their makeup for the school dances. Makeup was all I thought about. Once I began high school, my tech theater class led me to work more closely with makeup — which I considered being only a hobby at the time — allowing me to develop a real passion for it. As I grew more comfortable with my work, I started designing the makeup and hair for the theater productions and competitions, which changed my whole perspective on makeup as an art form. I had no idea that it would be something I would just genuinely enjoy so much, let alone do as a career.
Image Courtesy: Hope Pumphrey
Q: What are the greatest motivations for your work? What inspires you?
A: Queer people inspire me first and foremost. The queer experience fuels art in a way like no other. Art is the strongest form of self-expression for many queer people, and we basically invented creativity through makeup. A big motivation of mine is just simply the fact that I constantly need to be making things. Creating is all I ever think about. Something that really inspires me about the beauty world is the fact it’s one of the few things with women at the forefront. Also, my friends inspire me. I am so lucky to be surrounded by such talented creatives who inspire me to create more and do better and have fun with it.
Image Courtesy: Hope Pumphrey
Q: What do you envision for your future, and what do you want to accomplish with your art?
A: Ultimately, I just want to get to a place where I am living comfortably and doing what I love. I would be so insanely happy just being able to work with cool people while creating amazing art and getting to express my creativity freely, no matter where I end up — fashion, film, TV, theater, you name it. However, I still have gigantic dreams for myself, taking makeup as far as I possibly can. I want to be the next Pat McGrath someday. Also, I think it would just be so extremely baller to be an EGOT winner for makeup. The Tony Awards need to get it together and create a category for us.
Image Courtesy: Hope Pumphrey
Q: What's the role of artists in society? Or, what do makeup artists have to add to the conversation about art?
A: Artists are an essential part of the society we live in. We are able to suspend reality for a moment or start important conversations and most importantly create community. One of the things I find so special about makeup as an art form is that my canvases are people. Human connection plays such a huge role in this industry, which is something I cherish. Makeup can do so much for a person—whether that be adjusting their appearance or expressing their identity. For a lot of trans women, makeup is armor, a form of survival. I think a large part of the reason why so many queer people are in the art community is that it’s one of the only things that can make us feel seen or heard. The ability to create is one of the greatest gifts in life.
This dialogue has opened up a new world of the intricacies of makeup art. It would be great to see more artists experiment with this competitive and creative field because it has so much potential that will definitely get more exposure in the future.
Strike Out,
Writer: Marena Benoit
Editors: Breanna Tang & Lexi Fernandez
Tallahassee