Meet Priyanka Puvvada | Special Effects Makeup Artist

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

Hi Priyanka, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from India. I grew up watching mythological movies and TV shows that my dad directed. Back then, I never thought I would belong to the same movie industry. I’ve always found myself going for the shoots with dad and the first thing I would do is get my makeup done by an artist. I think your interests as a kid grow into passion in the future is an amazing feeling right. In India, everyone wants to become an engineer because getting financially stable is their main objective. I consider myself very lucky in this aspect because my parents did not stop me from becoming who I wanted to become.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I came from an Engineering background. I didn’t feel like I belonged there when I was an Engineer. It’s like wearing a costume that doesn’t fit right in. When I held the makeup brush for the first time, I never wanted to lose it. That’s why I call it a “Calling”. My work is always about details. I have learned it the hard way. I get inspired by great stories and want to incorporate that into my art. It was never easy for any artist to survive in this industry. The only solution I have found is Patience. I don’t try to rush to reach the top of the mountain because once you reach it, you’ll always have other mountains waiting on you. Instead, I’d like to make a milestone with every step that I take to reach the top. There were days when I suffered by not having proper food or a roof as LA is expensive for a foreign student and during the pandemic, it was way worse but I have never doubted the field I have chosen to be in. Once an artist will always be an artist. The struggles that I have faced made me, even more, stronger and I have made LA my home. I want the world to know not just about me but about every makeup artist that this is not just a hobby or a grooming session. It is more than that and It requires creativity and resilience to stand apart in society.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For a week-long trip, LA is the right place, I have always been a beach person. So we would hang out at the Venice beach eat at Monty’s burger ( I’m a Vegan ) Drink at Lock & Key as they have got amazing cocktails then take them to the shopping center at Santa Monica or Glendale.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I think all of the above categories need credit in my story. K.Raghavendra Rao who is a legendary director of feature films in India saw my passion and hard work towards it and believed in what I wanted to achieve. As a group, my family stood by my side the entire time I was a student at Cinema Makeup School. A book – Atomic Habits by James Clear. My brother advised and gave me this book when I did not know where to start. This book gave me the push that I needed back then. My mom is my hero. She is my biggest supporter and a believer to whom I need to give credit in my story.

Instagram: priyankaartistry