My dear friend Buffy of Buffy Dekmar Photography has initiated a project called “Atlanta Creates" to build creative community and share the faces and personalities behind creative businesses in Atlanta. Buffy is a favorite photographer among brides and families. She has such a gift to capture beauty and love in a photo. And as a makeup artist, I am OBSESSED with how beautifully she photographs people because she has a way of making skin look so gorgeous, smooth and glowy. mmmmm!
I am a lucky gal to be the first of 52 posts features on Atlanta Creates. Through my interview with Buffy, you'll get to know a bit more about me, my business and my personality. Stay tuned for more features spotlighting other creative folks!
Here is a direct link to my feature on Atlanta Creates on Buffy's blog.
Name and age: Claudia Rogers – 28 years old (Claudia Mejerle is my maiden name)
Current neighborhood: Poncey Highlands
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
What brought you to (or kept you in, or brought you back to) Atlanta?
The 1996 Olympics! Ok, not really. My family moved to Atlanta that year from Dallas, so getting to experience the Olympics in our new town was pretty cool. Fast forward several years, I went to The University of Georgia in Athens to study Advertising. Afterwards, I moved back to Atlanta for a big girl job in marketing. But now I am living my dream of being a makeup artist in Atlanta and anywhere else my job will allow me to travel.
How do you pay the bills? What is your “slash”?
Makeup artist / hair stylist / teacher / therapist…Through growing as a makeup artist/hairstylist, I realized I get to take on a few other roles. I looove talking products and techniques with clients, so I have kinda fallen into the role of “teacher” because I get to share my thoughts, knowledge and skills on hair and makeup with those who are interested. I have really enjoyed getting to teach others who love what I love! Now, about being a therapist…I love getting to know my clients beyond the surface and hear all that’s going on in their lives. Sometimes I get to hear about drama and offer my two cents. But I really love being there for brides who are in the midst of wedding planning and stress and offer any help or advice that I can. That season of life is one of the best, but it can also be the most emotional, and I love to be supportive and encouraging. I actually started out as a psychology major in school…maybe I should have stuck with that ?
What do you create?
I get to create outer beauty which translates to confidence and joy. Women look their best and radiate when they feel like the best version of themselves, so like to accentuate their favorite qualities and characteristics instead of masking their flaws.
What do you collect?
Makeup! Makeup makeup makeup. I have always loved buying and experimenting with cosmetics and finding new favorites. Now that I am a makeup artist professionally, I can justify my obsession a bit more. “It’s for the biz,” I have to remind my husband when I present him a mile long receipt from my latest purchase.
Your favorite artist now and as a child:
Monet was a favorite when I was growing up. I always loved the softness and imperfection of the shapes and lines in his work. I minored in art history in college (ok, I was one class short of a minor) and studied Monet more closely than just looking at my Monet calendar that I had posted on the back of my closet door as a 7 year old. But I continued to gravitate toward impressionist artists and Paul Cezanne became a favorite. I feel like my work as a makeup artist reflects my love for impressionism because of my soft and sheer approach. Today, I often look to art for inspiration to see different uses of colors an light. That near-minor in art history has really paid off!
Last memorable home-cooked meal:
Oh man, the last memorable home-cooked meal I ate was definitely home-cooked, but not by me. It was one of the most beautiful dishes I have ever seen, prepared by our sweet friend Jamie and her chef hubby, Jason. They also cook amazing meals for this thing called Homespun. If you don’t know about it, you need to!
A favorite local business:
Hmmm nearly every favorite local business is more than likely a restaurant. Probably a sign that my husband and I enjoy eating a lot. Local Three is a favorite just because we have spent many a date nights there sipping delicious cocktails and trying everything on the menu.
Favorite way or place to unwind:
The mountains are my happy place. Really, any kinda natural beauty chills me out.
If you were a color in the biggest crayola box, which would you be?
I love any variation of blue. I love greeny blue, purple-y blue, blueish gray, midnight blue, turquoise, mint … but if I had to choose a color from a box of crayons, I would have to go with Blue Green. That was my favorite as child. Think I actually would steal that color from boxes and hide them.
Latest great adventure:
The last few years of growing my business have been an adventure. I left my “real job” in corporate America to pursue my dream of being a makeup artist in 2010. There has been a ton of unknowns in the process, but it has been so much fun navigating this owning my own business thing. I highly recommend quitting your job and doing what you love.
Favorite US city? Favorite international city? (And why?)
Seattle is my happy place. I have a lot of precious family and friend memories spending time there in the summers since my grandmother got a house on the Puget Sound. So much beauty in and around that city. Brad and I hope to live there one day.
What occupation did you want to do as a child?
I wanted to be a teacher when I was a child. But it was probably because I have two younger siblings who I would play “school” with and I l just loved being in control of the class.
What is your favorite dessert?
Definitely creme brulee. And Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Oh, and vanilla Blue Bell ice cream. And I don’t hate bread pudding…
What is your favorite artifact, heirloom, or art piece in your home?
My new favorite piece of art hanging on our wall at home is a painting by the incredible Britt Bass (brittbass.com). I love color and texture and this piece is all about both. It’s so hard to chose just one of her paintings so I know this won’t be the last.
What song do you love most (or what’s on your playlist now)?
I love Fleet Foxes. If I could only listen to one album the rest of my life, it would be their latest album, Helplessness Blues.
What are some of your favorite websites?
One of my favorite makeup artists that I look to for inspiration is Lisa Eldridge, an artist based in the UK. She is known to make up faces of hundreds of stars and models all over the world, but she has an amazing talent for educating other makeup artists. She does outstanding tutorial videos if you’re ever wanting to learn a thing or two about makeup: lisaedridge.com
Concerts or museums?
Oh man, I love both. But if i had to choose, I would say concerts. I especially love live music in smaller venues because I enjoy the more intimate feel. There is something so inspiring to me to see musicians live creating their art. One of my favorite musicians is Josh Ritter, who is the most incredible performer. Joy just radiates from him and I hope that’s how I am when I create my art.
Sweet or savory (or your favorite brunch menu item)?
Sweet! Unless it’s chips and salsa.
Favorite dog breed:
yellow english labs. the best.