Meet Cameron Cohen | Fine Artist, Makeup Artist & Lash Extension Artist

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

Hi Cameron, how do you think about risk?
I believe the only way to live your dreams is to be a risk taker. Through my life I have had many careers from being a Jewelry Designer to a Makeup Artist/ Lash Extension Artist and now I am a Fine Artist. The unifying thread that weaves them together is that I have always followed my passion of creating beauty and evoking joy through my craft. I live by the line, “If you build it, he will come.” from the film Field of Dreams, Sometimes you have to just go for it and have confidence that if you follow your passion others will want to be a. part of it. When I left the makeup studio where I was working, to go out on my own, I had to take that leap of faith that I would be able to make a living. I started over with less than half of my client list. I quickly built my business where I had a full client roster and was now living my dream…working less and making more! Confidence in my skills is what propels me forward and keeps me from doubt. When the pandemic hit, I found myself out of work since you can’t apply lash extensions from 6 feet away. Since quarantine, I have spent all my time painting. I feel so blessed to have had that time to amplify my confidence in my painting skills and now I am selling my work! It all comes full circle since I graduated college at UC Santa Barbara with a BA in Art Studio with an emphasis in painting. Right out of school I did not have the confidence to try to make it as a fine artist. Also, my Dad was fearful that I would be a starving artist and told me to get a “real job.” So I did. After experiencing many “real” jobs, I am currently in the career that has been waiting for me to take the risk and GO FOR IT!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The current technique I am playing with is called fluid acrylic pour. When trying something new, I’m excited and nervous all at the same time. I like to be in control and I am some what of a perfectionist. So, I don’t do something unless I know I can do it well. Fluid acrylic pour is the opposite of control and perfection. Yes, the control shows up in choosing the colors I’m using as well as pouring the paint. However, once the paint is on the canvas, I have had to learn let go of that rigidity while I manipulate the paint over the canvas. This is where the magic happens. I am deeply interested in science, energetics (science of energy), sacred geometry, metaphysics and spirituality and how they affect the human condition. These interests have influenced my art which has set me apart from others. I created a portrait silhouette series where I shows the energy within the individual as well as the energy that represents the aura of the subject. Most of these portraits have been commissions which is so inspiring. I consider my commission pieces “intuitive paintings”. The patterns in the paint tells a story of the energy field of the subject. I love collaborating with my clients. I visit their space where the art will live in order to customize the size and color palette to the space. It’s a perfect fit every time. My road to being an Artist as a career has been a slow build. I’ve always had creative careers (Jewelry Designer, Makeup Artist, Lash Extension Artist) and have run two of my own businesses. I have enjoyed every step of the way and each experience has given me the tools to now be a successful Artist. My path had challenges when it was time to transition and level up. However, there was a natural flow where I just kept following my intuition and embraced my good fortune. I am looking forward to continuing to paint for myself by experimenting with new techniques and materials. I am also thrilled to bring happiness to my clients’ lives by creating personalized and meaningful art. My goal is to filling this world with color and joy.

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?
I grew up in Santa Monica so it will be no problem showing my friend the best time ever. Our mornings would usually start with a physical activity like a hike in Malibu, Hike to the Hollywood sign or a bike ride along Santa Monica/Venice beach. Some great brunch places I adore are Gjusta in Venice (everything is delicious and their fresh bread is to die for), Great White in Venice (It’s my goal to try everything on their menu…yummy!) and Ivy at the Shore in Santa Monica for the best stone crab in town! If my friend wants to shop I would take her to shop with my girl Alex Lippin @ Elyse Walker in Pacific Palisades for all the best fashions. Of course I would stop by to see my Jewelry Fairy Godmother, Ashleigh Bergman @ Milestones by Ashleigh Bergman. She is the best at styling jewelry and has pieces you thought only existed in your dreams. On Tuesday, we would definitely be joining The Wave Silent Disco for their weekly dance party down on the beach for sunset. We could also join them on the beach for silent yoga and dance on Saturday too! One day we would go to Soho Malibu to hang out maybe go paddle boarding and see what magic happens. For drinks/dinner I would say Scopa in Venice, Plant Food and Wine in Venice and Hiko Sushi in Los Angeles. Since Covid my brain has been a bit foggy with places to hang out. I’m usually out at concerts or dancing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
At the risk of this sounding cliché, I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my mom, Susan Cohen. She nurtured my creativity from the get go! My favorite memories as a kid were on rainy days. At the first sign of water drops, I knew we would be on an adventure to the art store with freedom to pick any art project my imagination could come up with. Being an Artist and Interior Designer by trade, my mom understood what it was like to be a creative force. She always encouraged me to follow my passion in the creative world and lead by example. She would tell me, “Cameron, you can be and have whatever you want…just go out there and do it!” I have an endless amount of gratitude for my mom.

Website: www.cameroncohenart.com
Instagram: @cameroncohenart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cameron-Cohen-Art-107209337652537/