Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Angelica Ciuffa.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sophia Angelica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always been interested in art and creating. Both of my parents are artistic in their own ways, my dad being a culinary artist, and my mom being a naturally talented artist in many ways. My dad previously owned the Museum Cafe in La Jolla with MCASD.
The cafe always had really cool art installations which rotated every few months and I spent my time exploring the museum whenever I could because I enjoy being in inspiring environments. My mom was always very accepting of whatever phase I was going through and let me express myself to the fullest extent. I first became interested with makeup around the age of 12. I would experiment with a lot of colors and loved heavy eyeliner. Around age 15 I found myself being immersed in San Diego’s rave scene. I loved being in an environment where people were unapologetically themselves and we were all sharing that experience together. My local scene inspired me to push myself even further and work with the top company in the electronic music scene, Insomniac Events.
I started beauty school in 2016 at Bellus Academy for their Master Makeup Artistry course. I learned a lot during the course, and I am now a certified makeup artist specializing in both natural and glam looks, editorial beauty, special fx, bridal, airbrush, and more. Upon graduating in early 2017, I focused a lot of my energy on creating with people and companies in the festival scene. I worked with companies both local and in LA, primarily with Little Black Diamond, an ethical festival wear brand. I spent about a year working on my crazy colorful portfolio and reached my goal of working with Insomniac this past May by being an “Experience Creator” at Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas.
Now that I’ve reached one of the major goals that I’ve had since I was a teen, I want to focus my time on creating outside of the festival and rave scene and show people that my artistry goes beyond that. I have been really into collaborating with new photographers and models and the whole process through that; creative directing, designing the makeup look, helping pick wardrobe etc. I have also been working on a lot of projects that I can’t yet reveal since they are being submitted to magazines. I also have a new found love for bridal makeup and am looking forward to building my clientele in that industry!
Great, 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?
Growth is definitely not linear. I have had a lot of makeup gigs that I was super excited for at the time and then regretted every second spent there. A lot of people don’t want to pay their artists properly these days and expect that we are all starving for “exposure”. I don’t mind doing unpaid work when I have full creative freedom and I am apart of creating a concept, however, don’t assume an artists time, energy and especially PRODUCT is worthless.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Angel Artistry – what should we know?
As of right now, Angel Artistry is just myself as a freelance artist. I am wanting to expand the brand into an artist collective for makeup and hair services for any kind of occasion, whether it be for a wedding, a school dance, Halloween, etc. There is no limit to what we can create.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I feel that I always try to go into any situation open minded so I am ready for whatever is thrown at me. A lot of the time when I go into a shoot I don’t have a set idea on what the look will be, I just grab the brush and go with the flow.
I take into consideration what the whole vibe will be in the end product and imagine that we’re already there. When working with clients, I want to really get to know them and try not to change them too much, (unless they ask me to) I just put a glam emphasis on their natural beauty.
Contact Info:
- Website: angelxartistry.co
- Instagram: angelxartistry
- Facebook: angelmuartistry
Image Credit:
Little Black Diamond, Jewelz by Jewelia, Michael Amorillo Art, 656 Photography, Sarah McAllister, FGM Photography
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