Of all the fantastical movies that have been released since my birth, all the Jim Henson creatures that have graced our screens, the sci-fi monsters that still leave us shuddering, when I think of prosthetic makeup, I think of Steve Martin in “Roxanne” first (and I haven’t even seen it). This is more an indication of how weird my mind is than what qualifies as superior special FX makeup.
The art of prosthetics goes beyond the final product on the actor or model, although that’s really all we see as a society. Thanks to shows like SYFY Network’s “Face-Off,” the public has been given an insider view of the steps taken to create such grandiose looks, beginning with a sketch and a sculpture and ending with a silicone mask and extremities. The looks take days to create and seamlessly blend into the model’s skin, leaving you wondering what exactly is reality.
Parker Lawhorne, a Florida- and NYC-based artist began in musical theater performance and stage makeup and discovered a love for special FX, prosthetics, and wig design. He recently won third place in the Battle of the Brushes competition at IMATS NYC 2016 with his design of Ajax the Bounty Hunter.
A performer himself, Lawhorne draws inspiration from Broadway and Hollywood. His resume includes everything from beauty makeup to designing makeup for shows such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Mary Poppins. But he also loves to create well-known fictional monsters, such as the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Follow him on Instagram @parkerpaints to see his incredible creations (and beautiful body paint he does on himself).
Utah isn’t devoid of award-winning makeup artists, either, and one of the most renowned in the state is Josh Counsel, owner of Badass Bodypaint. An artist originally from Melbourne, Australia, Counsel made a name for himself in Florida before moving to Salt Lake City, where he currently resides. His specialties are bodypainting and special FX prosthetic work, and his creations are “visually puzzling and unique.”
His original designs are bold, flawless, eye-opening creations that showcase his incredible level of artistry and expertise, along with a strong ingenuity.
From the bone-chilling to the mystifying, special FX artists are leaving their mark in the media all around us. Both Lawhorne and Counsel are two of many who spend painstaking hours creating artwork that goes beyond the imagination.
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The header image was by Greg Jaxson not Greg Larsen. Thanks for the shout out in the article 🙂 just stumbled across it.