Mentors and Thank You's...

Today is a beautiful day. I just went outside for a few minutes and I couldn't control the sweat. So early, so hot. I stood still by the march of the iguanas in my backyard. I counted 10 in search of food. I keep telling them to keep out of my garden before I make them into STEW. Nice fat juicy legs. LOL. The alpha male gets me. He is so unafraid of us, it blows my mind.

OK, so back to mentoring and thank you's. CEW Cosmetic Executive Women
https://www.cew.org/eweb/StartPage.aspx?Site=CEW
has a great program that they just started. Check it out. If you have the time, one hour a month to make the difference in someone's life. On a small note you have to be a member of CEW. Membership is just under $200/year. It's about giving back.

Over my career I have helped several makeup artists get started in film; some to my detriment, but we won't go there. When I started in film, there were maybe a couple of black makeup artists who were working constantly; Bernadine Anderson and Marie Carter. All thoe others worked in television. Bernadine was probably the first black "star request" in addition to the first black makeup artist to get into the local; paving the way for all who followed I will be eternally grateful to her. She was Jane Fonda's personal makeup artist for years. There was also Marie Carter who many confused with me, Marietta Carter; see the mix up. IMDB still have our resumes crossed. I have tried several time to have it fixed but to no avail.

When I started Bernadine was on her way out of the industry. She retired shortly after that. I started just around the time that many of our well know black actors were now starting to make a name for themselves. They were beginning to have the clout, stamina and the films that would allow them to request more perks; including makeup, hair and wardrobe as well as many other perks.

My opportunity came from Whoopi Goldberg. I first met Whoopi on the set of Clara's Heart. I didn't do her makeup on this movie, since I was the only black person on the crew we struck up an instant friendship. I am so glad that we bonded because I did feel a little lost. Clara's Heart was an amazing experience. After Clara's Heart, I ran into Whoopi on the set of Her Alibi, same scenario, I was the only black person on the crew. Whoopi and I had a ball on Her Alibi. We really hung out. I remember going to the mall in Baltimore thinking that we could go shopping. what a joke that was. Within five minutes of being in the mall everyone knew that Whoopi was in there. I had to get security to get us out of the mall. Too much...

The first time I worked on Whoopi was when we were both in Los Angeles upon completion of Her Alibi. I called her and I was a bit down and I said do you know who this is? She laughed and said "with that accent, of course I know who this is." she invited me down to the taping of Comic Relief, then added , that I should bring my makeup and hair stuff and do her makeup and hair for the taping. Can I tell you that this episode changed my life. It sure did. ...to be continued...