Meet Chelsea Sinks | Makeup, Body Paint and SFX Artist

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

Hi Chelsea, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
During the pandemic this was a question I found myself thinking of often. As a makeup and SFX artist there was no way for me to work without touching other people. I started feeling lost, and then on top of that I was caring for and lost my Grandmother. With the grief came the loss of my creativity. It was an extremely hard and dark time for me, but I think deep down I knew I still had so much more to give. I am so grateful for the hard times and making it through them because it has shown me that I have loved and will always love my craft. When I returned to creating after the two years of pandemic life, I created some of my favorite pieces I have ever made. It’s helped me realize that you never know what could happen in the future, and that you really will never know if you don’t give yourself the chance. Don’t give up!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I like to call myself a Human Artist, but basically I’m a trained Cosmetologist (hair, skin, and nail artist), Makeup Artist, Body Painter, and now Special Effects Artist. I have always loved the human body as a canvas. I started out in Portland Oregon at the Aveda Institute, but I was always pushing the boundaries of what hair and makeup was. From there I started body painting at festivals and fell in love with painting on people. I started working on photoshoots for some amazing photographers, as well as creating my own shoots. I loved creating stories & bringing all different types of creatives- including photographers, videographers, models, painters, hairstylists, and anyone who wanted to join, together to make art. One day I realized that I was living for this, and it was time to make it my career. I wanted to learn how to take my art to the next level. I came to LA to start my classes for Cinema Makeup and Special Effects, and then a few months after we started Covid hit. It was definitely a challenge to lose all of the creative momentum and basically start after taking two years off when I returned, but i’m really grateful to be back. I learned how incredible it is to be surrounded by a creative community, thats one of my favorite parts about being here in LA. I love working with others to create something bigger than ourselves, and i’m looking forward to all of the creative adventures this city has to offer.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m new to the city! But I’m definitely a nature person. I did find the most beautiful sea slugs in the tide pools at Point Dume, so that would be my suggestion.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am a recent graduate from the Cinema Makeup School, I’d love to shout out the interns, staff and teachers there who took the time to encourage me (and push me) during the creative process. Attending a makeup and special effects school had always been a dream of mine, it was an awesome experience that I will treasure forever.

Website: chesphinx.com

Instagram: instagram.com/chesphinx

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chesphinx/

Image Credits
Rob Woodcox, Alex Quadrini, Austin Kross, Naba Zabih