Conversations with Sam Craig

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Craig.

Thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey into my makeup career started 7 years ago when I started volunteer acting at a local haunted house. Every night, there was a team of makeup artists that worked on several faces a night, including my own, and I found myself with so much admiration for the art they were able to create using skins as canvases.

It sparked a sudden and strong desire to dive into the world of makeup, teach myself as much as I could, and pursue something with it. I worked hard to grow with the makeup I created on myself first, and grew enough to start doing makeup at the haunted house on others with the guidance and mentorship from so many talented artists.

Outside of the haunt, however, I wasn’t sure how to get myself real opportunities except for the few stray word-of-mouth gigs that people got me. At the beginning of last year, 2022, I embarked on a journey to heal and love myself, and with that, I finally started learning how to go out and start networking myself confidently as a makeup artist, both out in the real world, and online with local creatives.

This brought me to where I am now, with at least 1-2 bookings a week for makeup, either on myself or others, and an unexpected modeling career alongside it. I still have so much more room to grow, and I think I always will, but I’m finally creating a career out of an art form that I fell in love with.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t say it had been necessarily a rough road, but that the drive in the first few years was a pretty slow coast. I felt so much uncertainty, a lack of confidence in my work, and quite frankly, lost. The world of social media left me feeling insecure from constant comparison, and it had me convinced that the only way to be successful was to be successful on social media as well.

It was so hard to push myself and to feel proud of what I created when I always looked to these top influencer makeup artists and allowed myself to feel inferior to them. “My looks aren’t good enough, my photo quality isn’t clear enough, I only got 15 likes but this person with a similar look got hundreds, etc.” It was a toxic and all-consuming trap filled with invasive thoughts, that I’ve learned far too many creators fall into. Thankfully I learned that social media isn’t the only key to success, my work is worthy, and I am capable.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am primarily a makeup artist that I specialize in creative makeup looks. I would say I am most known for my gore and fantasy special effects looks, and the detailed, dehumanizing masks I have created, which seemingly is also what I am the proudest of. I believe that my unique vision and attention to detail sets me apart from others, as the way I create is innovative, and extremely detail oriented. I find unique and clever ways to create what I need to.

Who else deserves credit for your story?
The list of those that have been supportive and monumental on my journey feels endless. However, there are a few people, or groups of people, that deserve an honorable mention. To start with the place that started it all, Hellscream Entertainment and all of the owners, managers, actors, and artists that call that place home. This is where I was given a haven to learn and create with a family, where I found guidance and care from the artists around me, and where I found a place of endless love and support.

My parents, have supported me and believed in me on this journey. They invested in me and my career by buying me the materials I needed to grow but couldn’t afford for myself, giving me a home to live in while I become secure in my career, and investing their time, either by listening to me babble about makeup, giving me the time and trust to practice on them for Halloween, time to see me act at the haunted house, or taking time out of their day to show their coworkers my new publications. Their investment feels like pride and confidence in me and my ability to succeed. I am forever grateful and I hope to be able to repay them one day.

My friends, especially my clown family. I have never witnessed a group of friends that have been so undyingly supportive and loving of one another. They radiate energy to thrive, and they are the best hype people a girl could ever ask for. They make me feel more than capable. I will have these people at my wedding, I’m sure.

My boyfriend, who has only been around for this journey for a short period, has been shockingly supportive and encouraging. Whether he is sitting with me for hours while I create a makeup look, going on a two-hour drive with me to a booking, or agreeing to model with me because he knows it is all so important to me, he makes me feel valued, supported, and loved. He looks at me with awe and pride when he sees the looks I have created, in a way that leaves my heart fluttering and a drive to create more.

Finally, every single photographer and client I have had the opportunity to collaborate with. They all saw potential in my ability to create something great with them, and I’d turn helped me gain connections, opportunities for growth, and experience.

Pricing:

• Excluding traveling expenses, my pricing ranges anywhere from $30-$180, depending on the desired look that is wanted to be achieved. I have broken down categories of makeup looks that can be discussed one on one with potential clients to help determine the most suitable category/price range.

Contact Info:

• Email: sorceressartistry@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/sorceressartistry

Image Credits
Rian Taylor, Mya Wadsworth, Victoria Hansen, Kelli Saye, and Jessica Ruiz