Daily Inspiration: Meet Ashley Richardson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Richardson

Hi Ashley, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From a young age, I was captivated by the magic of movies and the intricate world of art surrounding them. This passion blossomed into a deep desire to carve out a career in artistry. It wasn’t until high school that I truly uncovered what that meant for me. I became enamored with transforming myself into beloved characters from the films that inspired me, and as college decisions loomed, I began to wonder: could makeup be my path?
After extensive research, I discovered a fantastic school right here in Michigan that specializes in makeup artistry. My journey truly evolved there, as I quickly gravitated towards special effects makeup instead of traditional beauty makeup. Eager to expand my skills, I enrolled at Stan Winston’s School of Character Arts, where I built a solid foundation of knowledge. With countless hours of practice on myself and hands-on experience collaborating with fellow filmmakers on short films, music videos, and feature films, my expertise continued to flourish.
What keeps me invigorated in this industry is witnessing the power of film to unite people and evoke creativity. The collaborative process of bringing a unique vision to life is something incredibly special—I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to creativity is rarely a smooth one. My journey has been filled with trial and error, with plenty of late nights spent perfecting my craft. I can’t count the times I’ve been knee-deep in making molds for prosthetics, only to have things go awry and find myself starting from scratch. Or the moments when I experiment with new materials, only to encounter mishaps that send me back to the drawing board. It can be maddening, but that’s where the real learning happens! Figuring out how to overcome those obstacles is incredibly rewarding.
As a freelance artist, I wear many hats, and I’m in charge of my own success. This calls for relentless motivation and a commitment to continuous learning and practice. While it’s not always easy to stay inspired and push through the challenges, the joy of creating and the satisfaction of mastering a new technique makes every struggle worthwhile.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in special effects makeup, and while my work is often recognized for its effects, my skills extend far beyond that! From beauty looks to unique monster creations and even costume making, I embrace every opportunity to push the boundaries of my craft. There’s something profound about diving headfirst into the design of creatures or conveying intense gory scenes through the artistry of makeup.
What I take the greatest pride in is my unwavering determination to never back down from a challenge. I wholeheartedly believe in doing everything within my power to bring others and my own visions to life. My passion and drive truly set me apart in this competitive field. My commitment to continuous learning fuels my growth, while my desire to uplift and inspire others to pursue their own artistic dreams is a cornerstone of my journey.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The Covid-19 crisis has been an eye-opening experience for all of us, particularly when it comes to the importance of sanitation in our industry. It highlighted that being a diligent and clean worker isn’t just nice-to-have; it’s absolutely essential. In the world of film, collaboration is at the heart of every project, and the magic truly happens when we come together in close spaces.
This period has reinforced how vital it is for each of us to prioritize our health and cleanliness to ensure that we can continue creating the films we love. After all, our ability to bring stories to life hinges on our commitment to safeguarding the well-being of ourselves and our colleagues. Let’s continue to make cleanliness a priority—it’s essential for our success and the art we create!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ash0987.wixsite.com/makeupartist
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashdoesmakeup_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.richardson.54922169/
• Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm15437866?ref_=accset_nv_sublvl_nv_profile