reproduction gowns for various productions: " . . . authentic right down
to the smallest details and textile availabilities in that era." While in
college, as a lark, she enrolled in a stage makeup class. Excelling quickly,
she was soon assisting the instructor in teaching the course.
"I started thinking seriously about makeup as a career after doing
some stage productions, but I didn't want to do just straight makeup
stuff--it had to be `push the envelope' type of work, very color-oriented
original stuff. I also wanted to work in the film and TV mediums, so early
on in my budding career, I did a LOT of work for free--what is known as
apprenticing--to learn the inside art of makeup and hone my skills."
Patterson took every oppor-
tunity that came her way to
hone her makeup skills,
including work on UCLA and
USC student films and
deferred pay jobs. "Back in the
days before the studio system
died out and freelancing took
over, apprenticing was a time
honored way to learn the craft.
I was fortunate to be mentored
by some really great makeup
artists, such as the Westmores,
and Emmy Award [winning]
artists like David Dittmar.
"I began to get paid assist
jobs and then worked my way
to keying independent films
and getting onto TV shows
and other features. I would
have to say that I have had the
blessings to work on a wide
variety of productions through the years, and that has given me a wealth
of knowledge and experience. All, combined, have led to my success as a
national makeup artist, respected teacher, and author. I particularly enjoy
giving back to my craft, by training and educating the next generation of
artists."
Patterson has worked with and designed makeup for some of
Hollywood's biggest stars, such as Tim Allen, Melanie Griffith, Jennifer
Love Hewitt, Don Johnson, Queen Latifah, Charlie Sheen, Arnold
Schwartzenegger, and Jonathan Taylor Thomas, working on productions
such as the Daytime Emmy Awards, ABC Monday Night Football, the Home
"Do something
creative every day in
your art and always
take photos of your work
whenever possible. If
you are doing FX work, definitely keep a
photo catalog of your work. Take advantage
of all kinds of makeup venue opportunities.
You will learn something valuable from each
experience toward building your career. For
example, many years ago, before my career,
I took a stage makeup class in college and
found that I really had an interest and talent
in special makeup effects, which led to some
serious training later on in my career for FX
work. Working for counter cosmetics compa-
nies gave me a wealth of diverse faces and
skin tones to work on every day, another
valuable experience."--Suzanne Patterson
CAREER TIPS
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