Makeup Artist: Stacy McClure

Philosophy: "I encourage women to take charge of their individual spirit and express it outwardly, not only in their fashion sense, but also in the way they present their face to the world. It gives women confidence to be able to apply their own makeup properly. "

How it all began: At ten years old I was fascinated with faces and began sketching my friends' portraits in class. In high school, painting my friends' faces for school dances quickly became a favorite pastime. I started my career in retail cosmetics. I advanced quickly and was promoted as a regional makeup trainer for MAC Cosmetics in Portland, Oregon. From there I started picking up freelance jobs, including weddings and photo shoots. Six years ago I moved solely into freelance work creating a name for myself as "Makeup by Stacy". Working individually and connecting with clients in a meaningful and creative way is what makes my work so interesting.

Experience: After training many makeup artists and clients as a MAC Cosmetics trainer it was an easy transition to specialize in individual makeup lessons for private clients. I've worked with many different photographers and videographers such as Tom Seawell and Mark Lyon of Mighty Max Films on ad campaigns for Bose and MattelGameFinder.com. My commercial shoot clients are diverse in range from 7 x 7 Magazine to Plantronics and Mondavi Vineyards .

Favorite photo shoot client: Tracy Chapman. I did her makeup for a Habitat for Humanity video to help raise charity for the residents of New Orleans. I have always admired her for her musical talent, but she is also so lovely and peaceful on top of it all.

Favorite creative experience: Makeup is such a fun way to express yourself creatively so working on projects where makeup is used to literally transform someone into something else is interesting and challenging. One of my most memorable projects that I worked on was using makeup to transform male dancers into resembling women and painting female dancers to resemble men with facial hair. This extravaganza was arranged for photographer David LaChapelle's book signing party in Miami. It was a really fun time working with so many talented people!

Why weddings? I really enjoy being the solid ground amongst all of the excitement. Brides are anxious and want to feel beautiful yet present on their special day. I like helping them accomplish both of these tasks. I think women are amazing and I really enjoy getting to know my clients. In doing this, it puts my clients at ease on their wedding day.

Wanderings: I am an avid traveler and I have wandered as far as India, Turkey and Morocco. These three places have inspired me the most in how their cultures use makeup. I love the black kohl lined eyes, most noticeably in India. Even the babies have kohl lined around their eyes, which is believed to draw out impurities by the charcoal. I was also inspired by the jewelry that they adorn their faces with called "bindhis". They wear these small, colorful stickers with rhinestones in-between their two eyes, called their "third eye". This is also a place where they get smudged (or blessed) by using a finger to smudge a bright color there. This is also called "puja". It is an area on the face that is very sacred to them and so it is adorned daily. Henna was a fascinating decoration used mostly during wedding ceremonies all over the hands, arms and feet. I started doing henna on all of my friends after my Middle Eastern trips. Bright colors are everywhere in India, from clothing to buildings to buses, and so it inspired me not be afraid to use color more fluidly when applying makeup for certain events. I always come back infused with inspiration from all of the beauty that I experience on my travels.

Dreams: To live in an Italian villa surrounded by my loved ones where I can strum my guitar, sing my songs and paint a myriad of beautiful landscapes....and maybe some faces along the way too.

Personal quote: "I want to unfold. I do not want to remain folded up anywhere, because wherever I am still folded, I am untrue." - Rainer Maria Rilke