Today we’d like to introduce you to Draven Marie.
Hi Draven, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been interested in makeup since I was 12. I went to cosmetology school at a local career center during high school and got my cosmetology license a week after graduating high school in 2014. Cosmetology school primarily focused on hair and I spent a few years trying to make the salon path work for me. However, it did not work out. I started focusing on makeup when I was asked to do an application for my cousins dance recital. I loved doing it so much I started building my portfolio by finding models in my state and doing photoshoots with them. I would do the hair, makeup, and photography/editing to makeup sure it would capture my work properly. Eventually, I had built a decent portfolio and got my first production makeup job for a music video. This was an “interesting” first experience to say the least. This was in 2018, and in September of that year, I decided to go to makeup school in Nashville, TN.
I originally wanted to attend the Cinema Makeup School in LA, however, The Academy of Make Up Arts in Nashville was more accessible for me. I am very glad that I did choose the school I did though. I originally planned to attend the 10-week beauty/tv and film course and then return home to Indiana. I did attend this course, but towards the end, the owner pulled me into her office and offered me a full scholarship to the Special FX program and it was a dream come true. The course was 5 months long, which changed everything. I had never done special fx before attending school and left with so much knowledge and experience.
Once I finished the 10 week class, I started the 5 month program. during this time I was also working and continuing to build my resume and portfolio. I began working with a local art college and their photography program. I also started doing production work and was able to work with country music singer Drew Baldridge early on in both of our careers. I volunteered my makeup services as well with a local salon which led me to many job offers with them including working at the Grand Ole’ Opry and being flown out to Las Vegas to do makeup at the ACM awards in 2019. This event was taking place during my finals in my special fx course. However, I spent many nights at the school working on my final that I was ahead enough in my project that it wouldn’t effect my school work and I was allowed to go and miss school for a few days. I graduated in the top 3 of my class and moved back to Indiana.
Over the next several years I would work and travel for many different kinds of jobs. I was traveling and doing makeup consistently and also working at a retail store. This gave me the flexibility to travel and have a back up job as well during slow times. I also received my certification in lash extensions and have kept my cosmetology license active since 2014. This has helped me advance in my makeup career. I have worked for many top companies such as McDonald’s corporate, herbalife, John Deere, EA Sports, NBA/ESPN and FOX news. I have also worked on a TV Series based on the Andy Griffith Show called “Mayberry Man The Series”, which was my first bigger project. I was also fortunate to be a makeup artist at Bonnaroo and a makeup lead at Lollapalooza with Aboutface Beauty. I have done many special fx projects with some smaller production companies, and have created some beautiful and memorable work. I also had done work for The History Channel, Discovery Channel, and Ancient Aliens.
I spent 2025 focused on weddings and realized it is not the area of focus for me in this career. Special FX and Broadcast/Production makeup is where my heart lies.
Even though I had no production makeup jobs in 2025, that didn’t stop me from getting a celebrity client in my home state. The job basically fell in my lap. I applied for the job on a reliable website I have used for many years when looking for production jobs. When they asked through website if I was still available, I declined due to a scheduling conflict. about a week later I receive an email asking me to do an interview over ZOOM because they were from California. I debated and ultimately agreed. A few days after the interview, I was informed I got the job. At this point, it was mentioned in the job listing that it was a celebrity client, but I didn’t know who it was and also kind of forgot. I found out a few days before the start of the job that the celebrity talent was going to be Terry Crews. I was completely shocked. I found out while on the job the he selected me personally out of all the applicants which felt so wonderful and unreal at the same time. While it was exciting, my 8 years of experience with production makeup taught me the importance of professionalism. It was an incredible experience and one to remember. While this kind of makeup is not as consistent as it is other states like California, and Atlanta, I like being heavily experienced in my area compared to other makeup artists.
While doing makeup has definitely been a job, I also view it as the art that it is. During my 8 years of working as a makeup artist, makeup as an art has helped me manage through difficult times. Mental health is extremely important for everyone and if it can help someone therapeutically through a difficult time, I would strongly encourage them to try or continue!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
it has not been a smooth ride. Some of the struggles through out my career have been “working as local” and getting through the intermediate stage.
Living in Indiana didn’t consistently provide the jobs I needed to build the kind of portfolio I was looking to build. Professional, elevated, and reputable. While Nashville, Chicago, and Louisville are all withing 3-5 hours of me and have been the bulk of my work, there are also other artists there. While I have the skills and credits, most production companies would rather higher a less experienced makeup artist than pay for travel and hotel accommodations. So, “working as local” allowed me to still be the best option and not be put at the bottom of the list because of requiring the travel and hotel. However, this led me to paying for my own hotel, or sleeping in my car at hospitals, parking garages, and stores. Which also led to more difficult situations.
Getting through the intermediate stage of my career was honestly pretty annoying. I had a lot of pretty good credit, but some jobs still wouldn’t take me seriously. Thankfully I was able to push through and get to where I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a makeup artist, I have tried to be as versatile as possible. I have specialized in bridal, beauty, production, special fx, and even face painting. While I am skilled and versatile, I would say I am known for my professionalism and reliability. I am most proud of my professionalism and portfolio. I also feel my passion and experience set me apart from others in my state.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have had some wonderful mentors such as my former Special FX instructor Ben Rittenhouse he really helped me think deeper as an artist and keep my work clean and professional.
My grandmother, Diane, also deserves immense recognition for everything she has done for me in every way including my career. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve any of what I have without her. Whether it was helping me financially with school or product, helping me with my son during jobs, being a model for my makeup, or driving 2 hours to pick me up after a wreck late at night on my way home from a makeup job without skipping a beat. She even helped me renovate my garage into a workshop when I was making Special FX appliances. She has always been supportive.
Another person that deserves credit without realizing it, is my son, Kohen. He has given me the motivation to do the best I can with my business and to set an example for him. He makes me want to work harder everyday.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://DravenMarie.com
- Instagram: @designsbydraven
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designsbydravenmarie
