I have just recently done some fantastic shoots with Delicious and Sinclair models of Glasgow. Where I ha the pleasure of meeting and working with a range of models and actors helping to create their portfolio's, update their headshots and just generally update their look.

My job was primarily make up artist. I worked in hte studio setting with delicious and Sinclair on Saturday and Tuesday had the pleasure of working with Anne Aitken and Mera Finlayson, two fantastic make up artists here in Glasgow.

In addition I was interviewed and filmed during the Saturday shoot. Filming by Bhupinder Singh, a talented and skilled filmmaker and his team who integrated well into the environment of our shoot and kindly provided photographs as you can see here. Bhupinder and his team kindly filmed for Sinclair on Tuesday at their fashion show. So thank you again gents you did an amazing job!

Full credit for film and photo's as follows:

Bhupinder Singh Sahota, Kerwin Harry Mier


Additionally the charming, glamorous and Beautiful Dearbhla, who's fashion blog is a an inspiration.

Joining us Tuesday, I enjoyed her company whilst I worked with an array of models and ran between the dressing rooms and the main floor. Keeping me sane amidst the madness of the backstage area. Check out her blog as a fashionista she is on top of her game along with her talented sister (a fellow mua in Europe).

So thank you Dearbhla for coming along and being an integral and important part of the night.

http://fashionhotmess.blogspot.com/2009/12/james-clark-mua-test-shoot-delicious.html

James

I am enjoying the feeling of being busy. I ama working at the moment with Scot films UK to design the make up for their pending feature film Revenge. Although I can't give away to much I am really happy to be involved.

Also I am now in contact with sinclair models in Glasgow and Delicous models photography, working out a few ideas. One of which includes sponsoring their showcase event in Glasgows Hummingbird loft. Where there will be a fashion show and casting session, aimed at increasing their roster of promotional staff.

Plus there is a possibility that I will be filmed as part of a small documentary session.

To show my talents to a buddigng and talented filmmaker I have agreed to appear at delicous models photo session and be filmed working.

All very exxciting and glamorous.

Here are some links that will show what is on offer:

http://deliciousmodels.co.uk/
http://www.sinclairmodels.com/index.htm
http://www.scotfilmsuk.com/

Keep you all posted and updated as things happen.

I spent today in Glasgow at a networking event for media professionals where I met a number of fantastic and talented web designers and computer game developers. I am the first to admit I know nothing about either area however they guys made me feel welcome and part of the crew.

So thank you very much. I followed this with a trip round House of Fraser's with my friend Alex, we did the tour of the make up counters. I stopped in to price up new brushes, yes I am obsessed!

I had a look at Urban Decay and Bobbi Brown. Have to say thank you to the girls on both counters for being so accommodating and chatting.

And as I have now discovered my cousin Carrie Murdoch is working for Shisedo over at John Lewis, I am very proud of her she has worked extremely hard to get where she is and I should visit more often and catch up. But like everything else when do I get time?!?!

Come see me this weekend at the Princess trust fundraiser organised by Sonia Scott (all talent UK) the agency.

One of the calls I make regularly is to my agent John, at this point I could make cheap jokes about avoiding dealing with me because I have called twice in the last two days but I try and share info with him as often as I can because what benefits me benefits him really.

So we chatted briefly today about the different things that are on the go. I am not busy enough just now, its driving me insane!!

I am one of those people who needs to be constantly busy to keep going. I guess my mind wanders if I am not to careful and that is not good, in a way it reminds me of my current track list on my mp3 which includes Madonna's sorry and my favourite Sophie Ellis bexter track; heartbreak make me a dancer.

Why do I do this to myself, well I suppose because music makes me happy. My ritual of a morning is to switch on my music and drink coffee as I dance round the living room, something my little dog finds odd. Well at least judging from the expression on his face.

I am looking into picking some new pieces up for my kit including:

more effects make up from the treasure house
Some palettes from unmask the beauty
and brushes from crown.

I will be posting pics soon, I want to play around with my new SLR camera and get some new pics done. So I will include a shot of the dog to.

In the meantime I want share with you Sophie's track and video, hope you like it as much as I do.

I was on model mayhem this morning and reading the odd thread, even on my off time I am still keeping track of things, and noticed a thread on essentially credit stealing.

What is it about people that makes them think this is acceptable?

I have had this happen to me and nipped it in the bud really quickly. I rarely take on assistants or work with other artists for this reason. My work can be done solo. I have worked in teams and seen an alarming lack of respect for their fellow artists.

Is it just me thats seeing this or is across the board?

More than once I have seen shows and shoots organised and I have been working as a make up artist under a less expereinced artsit and the first question I ask is whats mny brief? What do you as the key want me to do? I then check the details of my work, I don't get pissy and huffy if I have to change something slightly, or have to check my work with a senior artist.

Its the job. Its the chain of command.

I had to explain this to a trainee at a show once and it just didn't sink in:

As a make up artist you are always working to a brief. When you go on a photo shoot you are given a brief to follow. It might be glam rock. So you come up with a look that supports that. if it isn't right then it has to be redone.

Its all about time and money.

The brief might be minimal, my favourite was from a director who said "Just do what you do." he knew my work and was happy to let me get on with it. This might not always be the case.

I have watched people and admittedly this was students, who having got the breif immediately started competing with each other. What started as a trashy ended up being glam.

This was not what they were asked for and it showed a lack of maturity in thier skills as an artist. The designer gives a brief I follow, if my team doesn't listen then I am the one in the frontline as the key.

So why is it when working its still acceptable to try and make your job bigger than it is?

"I wasn't an assistant I was the personal make up artist to....." Translation: I was being supervised by the key who assigned me an actor to work on. So that they could see my skill base.

"I don't do assistant." Translation: no one will put up with me.

"Well I am only doing this because your working on it." Translation, I need the contacts and you have been around longer so I can pick your brains discreetly.

"I worked on a music video for a really well known artist, organised models and did all the design work. It was a privilidge to be there" Translation: I was working for free and they took advantage of the fact that I was desperate for the credit.

"I don't really want to do corporate or weddings, I prefer artistic shoots and glamorous make up." Translation: I can't get that work, tell me how you get or better yet give me your client list!


Sometimes this businessis frustrating but I am still here.

I have had another class this week with the fantastic drama department at Ayr college. The students who ranged from the NC to HND students all participated and made the class run smoothly.

We covered all the basics of stage make up. The highlight was workingg with the brusise wheels and creating some bruising, scratches and making people look generally gorey.

I want to say a big thank you to Helen Fratter for asking me to teach the class and add that any time you need me your welcome to call I am very impressed with the students and the skills they learn in the department.

Many of my friends are asking me to push myself further and go into the production side of the business. Iam planning to make a horror movie. Why casue I love them and have idea's that I would love to be able to see made.

So fingers crossed I will (finally) get this done.

I have been really busy between one thing and another its been a really busy week. I am touch with a new supplier who has been great to work with and is very accomidating when it comes to finding products for me and we chat for ages about the biz, so kudos for unmask the beauty.

I need to say a big thank you to the girls at treasure house of make up who were fantastic this week and sent me products on short notice for a video project with unscene productions. Yes the buried treasure shoot was this weekend.

I have included a small selection of the photos for you my readers and hope that you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed working on the shoot.

My assistant/make up artist for the weekend was Aileen who preformed every task with cheer and made my life alot easier.