Meet Sam Craig | Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam Craig and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I spent most of my life with the desire to pursue a creative career. I found myself drawn to how unique and free artistic expression can be, and hooked on the overwhelming feelings of success, accomplishment, and pure joy that comes every time I finish a new creation. When I was a child, I was in love with art class. I knew I had strong artistic abilities and it felt good when I got to do something that I knew I was good at. I grew up a little more, and that love from art class translated into a dream to be a tattoo artist. I admired how tattoo artists helped others with their creative self expression while still expressing themselves in the work they created, and I wanted to do the same. This dream lasted almost 6 years.
However, at some point, I got insecure within my art, and I lacked the confidence in my ability to create permanent art on other people, which discouraged me enough to let go of that creative dream.
I started to consider pursuing a career in the tech industry, maybe as a software developer. I took some programming classes and it made sense to me and clicked, which made me think that since I was good at programming, maybe it would be the safer and more practical option to pursue.
This momentary lapse as a creative lasted for a brief couple of years, and within that, I found myself working at a call center. I was extremely unhappy and I felt… dulled. It wasn’t like it was a bad job, it was fine, easy, nothing taxing, but the lack of fulfillment woke me up and showed me where I didn’t need to be, which was sitting in front of a computer without any creative self expression.
Fortunately, within my time at the call center, I found makeup. I mean, I had been using makeup regularly since I was a kid, but I found makeup in a different light. For many, makeup is just used to enhance their own beauty, however I started to realize and appreciate the fact that makeup is just as free and expressive as painting or tattooing, and to pursue it as a career would still be just as fulfilling in helping others with their own self expression, while lacking the permanence that tattoos made me dread. At this time is when my decision for a creative career became definite, it was no longer a dream or something that scared me; instead, it became something that I knew would become a reality that I could never let go of.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Being a makeup artist, and with social media being as prevalent as it is, it can be challenging to make yourself stand out. However, locally, I have managed to set myself apart from others with the wide skill set that I have developed, which allows me to be able to complete any look that is needed, from bridal to fantasy and everything in between. I believe what gives me the best upper hand, which also happens to be what I am the most proud of, would be the creative and special effects looks that I produce. Creating these looks give me the opportunity to display my artistic abilities in such a unique and detailed way that no other makeup style will quite show, and is really what helped increase the demand in me as a makeup artist.
Getting to the point in my career that I’m at now wasn’t particularly easy, however, it hasn’t been too bumpy of a road either. I was fortunate to spend my starting years working in a local haunted house, which taught me so much as a makeup artist, and also provided me with an outlet to create these amazing special effects looks with a purpose. This really set a strong foundation for my career.
Although, the greatest challenge was entirely internal, which was a struggle with breaking out of my shell so I could network myself and start making the connections I needed to grow outside of the haunted house world. To say it was mortifying putting myself out there would be an understatement. I heavily lacked the confidence, but I had to fake it and push myself forward regardless of my insecurities, which happened to be one of the most rewarding things I could have done for myself. This push to put myself out there brought me to where I am now.
Throughout my journey, I have learned too many lessons to count, but the greatest lesson is to ignore my insecurities and keep moving forward. As time moves on, each and every accomplishment that you make along your journey will boost your confidence more and will keep you going and striving for greater success.
With this personal struggle with confidence that I have experienced, and still do, I want to express myself as a makeup artist that can really relate to whatever insecurities you might be facing and will do anything I can do help my model really feel confident, empowered, encouraged, and overall satisfied.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being a Colorado Springs gal, most of my go-to spots are outdoors and always filled with the most stunning views. A drive through garden of the gods, gold camp road, or Palmer park is a must. For time to relax, my absolute favorite is finding a shaded patch of grass in one of the local cemeteries, which is most often times Crystal Valley Cemetery or Evergreen cemetery. It is always quiet and peaceful.
Cork and Cask is the place to go for a quiet drink, they have stunning dark art covering the walls, elegant gothic furniture filling the room, and a white sangria that is to die for.
When it comes to grabbing food, I am a breakfast girl through and through, and the Omelette Parlor is a superb choice, and Kava Coffee or great to grab and go!
Finally, to hang out, have fun, and grab a drink, La Burla Bee is the absolute best. Being Colorado Springs’ first and only full time cabaret, it is an amazing, safe, and comfortable place to go see a burlesque show, maybe pop in on some karaoke, or slay on the dance floor on a Saturday night.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents especially. Without their help, support, and love, I absolutely would not have made it this far. However, some credit also belongs to Hellscream Entertainment and the incredibly supportive second family I found within. This is where both my career and some of the most amazing friendships started, and I will always value that.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sorceressartistry

Other: sorceressartistry@gmail.com

Image Credits
Bronte Images, Eye of Ky Photography, Lab 13 Photography, EGD Photography, O.M Photography, Mel K Photography LLC, Mya Wadsworth Photography.