Interview with Super-Model Makeup Artist – Juliana Gonzalez
The Arepa recently had a chance to sit down with one of Medellin’s leading make-up artists, Julian Gonzalez, to find out what happens behind the cameras and flash of the booming industry of busts and butts.
The Arepa: So tell our readers briefly what you do and who your clients are.
Juliana: Well, I work as a professional make-up artist and prep models for photo shoots.
A: Ok, so we all want to know, who are the famous people you’ve worked for?
J: With so many names I prefer not to say ….. but many of the campaigns you see on the street-up are my clients; my work is all over the city.
A: Fair enough. But tell us this, has anyone ever hit on you while you are working?
J: (pause) The truth is that the people I work with are very serious and responsible. We are always focused on the work and making the best possible shoot. And besides, the majority of people I work with are women so having been hit on…
A: Yeah, but sometimes there are hunky Calvin Klein models with abs like washboards right?
J: Obviously, but they have always been gentlemen…hey, where are you going with this question?
A: Um, just to clarify that men, no matter the profession, are gentlemen (wink).
J: HA!
A: Well, it is obvious that you love your work, but would you consider yourself “an artist”?
J: Absolutely. An artist of color, image, and beauty.
A: Then as an artist, in your words, how do you define beauty?
J: (long pause) When your eyes are closed and the spirit of someone comes to your mind, that is beauty. When you love what is inside and outside, that is beauty. I think beauty is achieved with one’s capacity to share love.
A: Then is your job more to help reflect the beauty already existing within the models you work with, or just to exploit their external beauty?
J: Well it’s…um, no. It’s both! Ha ha ha.
A: Ha ha ha. Good answer! So you make off quite well here in Medellin, and aside from your apartment and your car, what is the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?
J: Do you really think that the people who read The Arepa are interested in this?
A: Well, if you can manage a taste for exotic Italian shoes, or a collection of smuggled Egyptian perfume, then yeah, I think they’d like to know, maybe they are aspiring make-up artists waiting for material inspiration.
J: No, I don’t have anything exotic in that regard.
A: Does your personality change while you are working?
J: Mmmmm, not really. It more depends on my mood, but as for my job, I enjoy it to the max!
A: What do you think about the digital manipulation of the models you paint?
J: No matter where you go in the world today, models are digitaly enhanced. For me, I prefer to be as natural as possible…not too boring…but then again too much manipulation is fatal! It’s a matter of discretion.
A: So what was the moment that made you realize, WOW, this is what I want to do?
J: …Long story … it has always caught my attention, ever since I was a girl.
Then, when I was in college I went to a photo-shoot and I was convinced. So I dropped out of college to pursue my career and my parents were pissed!
A: And now?
J: Oh they love it. They see that I can make a very good living, I get to travel, I live in the Poblado district, and most of all I am happy.
A: All right, a queston that speaks to our audience, mostly extranjeros.
J: What’s that?
A: Unlike Colombians who have rich, tan skin, us gringos have a thinner whiter skin; as a beautician, can you give us some tips on how to keep a glowing, radiant skin, while we are out traveling, (drinking) and are engaging in different routines (partying)?
J: Ha ha ha. Um, I think the most important thing in this climate is sun-screen, always apply some in the morning. That and fruits, they are so good for your skin. Oh and water, lots of water.
A: Wow, I haven’t ate a piece of fruit in 5 days. But hey, thanks for the secrets of the fountain of youth!
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