Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Pinilla.
Hi Jose, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Jose Pinilla. Everything starts from where I’m from, Venezuela; when I was a kid, I liked art, paint, draw, etc., I always count with my parent’s support; they always bought me and supported with everything and I mean materials to paint and more. I always have been fascinated with ART in general; my love and passion to be an Artist it is so intense that I start two careers at the same time, Architecture and Graphic Design.
By 2015, I decided to move to United States of America because Venezuela was having the most insane crisis and I knew that if I would like to pursue a dream, I wouldn’t be able to do it in that country at the moment. As soon as I move to United States of America, I didn’t know what to do; my question was how I going to survive in this country if I’ve never worked in my life, I did my research and thought ”IF I USED TO PAINT ON CANVAS, LET ME USE MY FACE AS ONE”.
I remember I did apply to my first Credit Card by that time ULTA BEAUTY and spent it all it was around $1500 just in makeup, not even being knowledge about what to do I start doing makeup on myself, I felt so fascinated, so incredibly happy and ”I said I can’t stop now this is my time and moment and I know I will get there”.
I started practicing with my siblings, cousins, and friends, I did my research about how to reach out companies because I knew makeup is expensive and I need to figure how will I be able to buy all what I need. I decided to post my first makeup picture on Instagram I felt afraid, nervous, my anxiety were getting me crazy, I got positives comments, hateful comments, homophobic comments, but here I am. I’ve done Makeup Courses with the best of the industry John Stapleton, Louise Zizzo, Gregory Arlt, Romero Jennings, Michael Anthony which are Celebrities Makeup Artists and Fashion Makeup Artists.
Nowadays, I do have my Makeup Clients and also got the support from brands like Laura Mercier, Cover Girl, Maybelline, Patrick Ta beauty, YSL Beauty, Buxom Cosmetics, etc. Having all that in my life makes me feel so accomplished and happy just because there are people who will tell you that you are not good enough, but look at me here I am, successful, happy, and in love with what I do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Hasn’t been smooth at all, I immigrate from Venezuela to be able to pursue a dream. Being homosexual is not easy neither; when I was a kid, I deal with bullies, people trying to bring me down all the time, nowadays social media is a toxic environment where you get hate, bullies, and also people telling you to end yourself just because you are part of the LGBTQ+ Community.
Has been a journey for me since I got here, economical, mental, and more. Hasn’t been easy and whenever I feel I’m falling, I always have my friends and family who support and tell me that everything will be okay.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Makeup Artist, I do specialize myself in Glam, Editorial, Abstract, and Colorful Makeup Looks. People know me for my talents, for how creative and funny I am, having such a bold personality is kinda difficult to not be seen.
Being myself makes me proud already; it’s not what I have is more about how this industry has help me to grow as a person, spiritually and mentally, and realized how talented and unique I am, working for such big cosmetics brand just creating content is already a goal for me because I never thought I would be able to do something like that.
What sets you apart from others?
I could say I’m that piece of art at the museum in the corner that nobody is interested to see but as soon as you get close to it, it will catch you up and you won’t be able to go away for hours, just analyzing WHY IS THAT ART WALL SO CAPTIVATING?
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
To everybody who wants to start in this industry just BE YOURSELF, people think is always a competition but is not, people will realized that you are different in many different ways and your UNIQUENESS and TALENT will speak by itself. Don’t ever try to step on people to success, be humble, be unique, and be grateful. You will learn from everybody, techniques, styles, way to paint, and all that knowledge that you will be just appreciate and practice as much as you can, we will never be perfect but we all have our own stamp.
Contact Info:
- Email: josepinillaa@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jopinillaa/
Image Credits
Credit to MisterHindi photography. Fi.ka Photography.
