Meet Bailey Turfitt | Makeup Artist & Creative Fabricator

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

Hi Bailey, what matters most to you?
When it comes to art, in my case makeup and costume, it is my upmost priority to make the subject feel otherworldly, or comfortable and confident in their look. I find that the best shoots happen when the subject is really into their character or when they feel like they’re in their element. This allows for more in-depth exploration and experimentation with the character, really allowing them to connect with it. I sometimes even allow the subject be part of the planning for the photo shoot, which really gives them a personal connection to the project and makes them feel like it’s their project too, not just some temporary model. Being genuine is another important value for me- I only agree to certain projects that I know I will want to invest my time and energy into. It’s only fair to the client for them to get the most out of my services and to get the best of the best! I really value the times when I felt confident and connected well with the client- to me that’s the best experience you can get out of gigs and projects.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I like to think of myself as a “jack of all trades” (would it be jill in this case?). I like to learn new techniques and hobbies and combine them into this conglomeration I like to call art. I am mainly known for my makeup looks and bizarre photo shoots. Every photo shoot is pretty much an experiment to see how far and different we can make it. I also make physical art, mainly sculptures and paintings, on the side. I would say a good 90% of what I do is influenced by music, which is definitely ironic considering I’m deaf. Initially, I used art as a coping mechanism growing up disabled and I used it to get my frustrations and feelings out. I would take comfort characters I had and make them into real beings through makeup and costuming. Even characters I had imagined as a child, developed from a song I loved and connected to (Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds is an excellent example of this). My art also served as a steady bridge between me and others, allowing me to connect with other ways than talking, which was very fruitful as I suffer from social anxiety due to my disability. My art conveys my feelings without the need for me to talk and explain. I gained many wonderful friends and acquaintances just simply through art, and made permanent memories that I’ll always have to look back on.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh man that’s difficult! I’d probably take them to Sweet Tooth Hotel for fun, artsy photo opportunities and to peruse fantastic art installations by local artists. For food, I would take them to one of the local Buzzbrews (their Hangover special is especially fantastic!). For music and night life, I’d take a trip to Deep Ellum Art Co. for some good music, cocktails, and to visit their constantly rotating art exhibits (bonus points if go during one of their Flow Moons for live fire acts!) Or I would visit Sundown at Granada and catch a show there (my favorite band to see there is Chancy!) You also can’t go wrong with visiting the Nasher Sculpture Center or the Crow Museum of Asian Art.

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 really want to personally thank Ashley Nicole Reid (owner of A Whitby Production LLC). If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have nearly the same amount of success I have now. It all started as a fateful run in in Deep Ellum, which led to my first RAW Artist show, then my involvement in the Oaktopia festival in Denton. I learned a lot of crucial things from her and will always be grateful. I also want to thank Leah Wright for being my ride or die creative partner. Ever since that first shoot I had with her, freshly out of high school, we had countless projects together. About 75% of my projects were shot by her- we always were on the same level, and she was not afraid to experiment, even if it was ridiculous. I also can’t not thank my partner and love of my life, Aven Stewart. Thank you for being there with helpful suggestions for projects, bouncing creative ideas off each other, and even the occasional step in as a model, and a dang good one too.

Website: http://baileyturfitt.com/

Instagram: @deaf.dead.girl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurfittTerrorsMakeup/

Other: Etsy- DeafDeadGirlShop

Image Credits
Virgo- taken by Leah Wright Cancer- taken by Leah Wright Valentines Day- taken by Leah Wright Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds- taken by Leah Wright