I first started out with modeling clay and using the red clay I would shape various cuts and gashes to hats and anything I could get it to stick to. One time I took a cabbage plant and cut it and painted it to resemble the "Little Shop of Horrors" main character- the plant.

Some of the first makeup I bought was a male makeup kit from Mehron. It had spirit gum, fake hair, crème and powder makeup. I loved it. I got in trouble in my 8^th grade class for putting beards and moustaches on my friends, but the laughs and fun time was worth it. I used to use fake skin and make chopped off fingers, cuts, all kinds of stuff. To this day for a quick fix, I still have a can of fake skin on hand in my makeup kit.

One of the first makeup artists I ever had write me back with some pointers was Rick Meyers. He used to have a ad in the back of Fangoria magazine for his store " Nightmares". It was the first catalog of professional makeup I ever got. I ordered my first alginate from there.

Over the years I have advanced in learning thanks in part to the internet. Plus there are a lot more guides and how to videos out there now. I still like watching the masters at work such as Dick Smith, Rick Baker, Tom Savini, Stan Winston, Rob Burman, and many more. They pioneered many of the items makeup artists use today and are just a great bunch of guys.

I am now officially working on my Advanced Special Effects Makeup Certificate from Dick Smith. I am a student in his advanced course. His work has fundamentally changed the way we use makeup in the world of TV, Film and Theatre.

If I had any advise for aspiring makeup artists- study, practice, read, experiment. There are so many fields in the Special Effects world to specialize in so find out which one is your favorite then have fun!