TUSK: You are one of the go-to make-up artists in Denver, tell us about yourself and FireLily Concepts.
Well, FireLily Concepts actually covers a broad spectrum of my interests and things I do. From the makeup artistry, to creative direction, to event/party production.
On the makeup artistry side of FireLily Concepts, I’ve been doing makeup for over 10 years and there’s so many things I enjoy as a makeup artist. I get to be creative and turn a face into a work of art. When I’m teaching, I get to empower women with new skills. At weddings the bride is counting on me to help her look her best.
On the event side, I conceptualize, produce and promote events. I started doing this in 2005 out of a real desire to bring tastemakers, fashionistas and music feigns together. I saw so many groups of people doing amazing things, but they were really separate from each other, and was I like, “Do you know so and so? Well what if you did? What would happen then?” So I started throwing parties to bring these people together. Party slangin also became a way to create the type of event that I really wanted to go to and in this found other party people that had the same desire as me, so we started throwing some awesome events.
Overall, I like coming up with ideas and executing them, wether it’s a party or a photo shoot, or a new project. And sometimes they overlap. I have thrown a party just to get a certain shot I was looking for.
TUSK: What is the most memorable project you have ever been a part of?
On the artistry side, doing makeup for Democracy Now!
during the 2008 Democratic National Convention. While it didn’t push the boundaries in my artistry, I got to meet and do makeup on some really amazing people: Ralph Nader, Danny Glover and Daryl Hanna. And Amy Goodman, the host, is so incredibly sharp. Impressive is an understatement.
I’ve got a little activist in me, so it was awesome to be on set and get to hear about all the issues.
On the event side, whew, there’s been some great ones. First there was Refresh Fridays, a weekly that ran at Vinyl night club. We (Behanzin Event Group, Up Front Entertainment & DJs MU$A, LowKey and Sounds Supreme) got to host some amazing Hip Hop acts like Slick Rick, Pete Rock and Digable Planets. This was one of the top Hip Hop nights in the nation, so it was really cool to be a part of that.
And Shoe Shine was one of my favorites to produce along with the creator Musa Bailey. It’s a sneaker art show and I really think this event did the most to bring different people in the community together. I could take up 2 pages speaking to the importance of this event, so to sum it up: Culture, Art, Sports, Fashion, Youth, Community, Inspiration.
And most recently, bringing Electric Punanny to Denver. It’s a party out of NYC, that fuses dancehall, electro, hip hop and dance music. This event was so fun and working with the talents of Jasmine Solano (MC & DJ), MeLo-X (MC, DJ & producer) and TONE (photographer & videographer) are already impressive, and together they embody the movement happening in the underground arts, culture and music scene.
TUSK: What is your favorite thing about living in Denver?
The talent. The Creatives. Artists, musicians, photographers. The people who work behind the scenes to push the boundaries. We’ve got some great ones here. Big up yourself!
TUSK: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Oh, I don’t know. What do you not know about me folks? What do you want to know?
TUSK: Do you have any favorite restaurants or places you frequent in Denver?
I lived in New Mexico before I lived here, so I always love to go to Jack-n-Grill. And I’m really excited about the new Beauty Bar that just opened.
TUSK: Who or what is your biggest source of inspiration?
By far my son. And then people. All you creatives out there.
TUSK: Who is your favorite artist?
Oh my, where do I start!? How are we defining “artist”? There’s so much amazing talent here! I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know and work with a lot of artists here.
TUSK: Is there anything that people often assume about you that is not true?
Hmmm, I think all I have to say to that is, “What people think of you is none of your business.”
TUSK: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Work hard and be nice. Although, I think I give myself and others that advice.
TUSK: Favorite late night treat?
Cookie ice cream sandwiches and chili cheese fries, or a burrito from Pete’s.
TUSK: How can TUSK readers find out more about you?
firelilyconcepts.com and firelilyconcepts.com/eventstress
Lastly, I like to add that it always take others to attain your goals. And without all the amazing talent around me I would be nothing. Throughout my endeavors there’s been so many amazing people I’ve gotten to create with and partner with, and I am so grateful. T
FireLily Concepts
www.firelilyconcepts.com
