Shamis McGillin
Shamis McGillin, a visual artist, has had works published as a photographer, art director, re-toucher, and makeup artist.
How did you get started in the industry?
I grew up with grandparents, who were photographers. They were retired by the time I became interested. I was exposed to dark rooms and film photography and was fascinated by the process overall. They did things like weddings and school portraits, while I was more interested in high fashion/ editorial work in magazines and on TV. I started playing with cameras when I was 9 and never stopped. When I was 17 I moved to Chicago and went to school. While there I networked and held various jobs such as working at the Chicago Sun-Times doing photojournalism projects, test shoots with agencies, nightlife event photography, and everything in-between.
Explain how MONARX came to be?
Ever since I was a child visual expression was really important to me. I loved wigs, makeup, glasses, and all things fashion. Not a day went by in high school when I wasn’t wearing wigs that I had made or had some wild loud outfit or headpiece. Many times, I wore a clock fashioned as a hat to school. It was when I was a bit older about 17/18 that I started going to underground parties and clubs in Chicago and New York. I relied on getting into places by covering my face, so things got more extreme and absurd to hide any identifying features. These were places where everyone has a stage name, so I came up with many over the years, but this is the one that stuck. I had a lot of fun in those spaces curating a wild, visual experience for partygoers. Over the last few years, though, I’ve retired from that lifestyle and started to document all of the looks I’ve created. I decided to put all my artistic efforts into working in entertainment media and establishing myself as a gallery artist.
What part of working in editorials do you enjoy the most?
The team! It’s such a blessing to walk into an editorial shoot knowing that you have a team of highly skilled and dedicated people who are experts in what they do. I’ve been so grateful that all of the editorials I’ve worked on are super fun and high energy without encountering too much stress because everyone is confident in what they are doing. I find editorial shoots to be a really great place to feel a sense of empowerment. Everything always feels like “this is where I am supposed to be.” Each one reminds me that I am so grateful to do what I love and share my vision with others.
If you had the opportunity to leave earth’s dimension, where would be your ideal place to go?
One of my favorite books of all time is “A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle.” The book discusses time and inter-dimensional travel. A planet, Uriel, is free from the darkness, evil, and pain. Uriel is bountiful with peace, and the beauty of nature. The way it is described is so effervescent with color and otherworldly. I oftentimes meditate on it and dream of going there. I think it’s possible to travel to these places inside ourselves. The imagination is a great vehicle.
What are some of your favorite materials to use when creating?
Generally speaking, I love using unconventional materials to create my images. I like putting things where they are not supposed to go. I love repurposing wigs and turning them into unlikely shapes and making them sculptural. Felt is fun because it’s so malleable and lightweight, so you can make dramatic gigantic shapes. It would be criminal for me not to mention my clown white base. It’s at the center of almost every image I create. Whether or not the white base shows up in the final image, It’s a really good place for me to start blocking out the human and helping me see myself more as an object.
Do you have any tips for aspiring makeup artists and art directors?
For makeup artists go ahead and sit in front of a mirror and make a mess on yourself. That’s how I did it. Makeup is half concept, half muscle memory, so get locked in. The more mistakes you make on yourself the better; it means fewer mistakes are made on a client or on set. For art directors, log off the internet and go outside and see what’s really happening. Don’t get inspiration from what trends brands are trying to sell you.
Who are some of your inspirations?
Janelle Monae is one of my favorites. Seeing her and listening to her music was the first time I really felt like I saw myself in entertainment in some ways. She is a driven person from a working- class background who has a clear vision of her art and creating worlds of fantasy. Cindy Sherman is another favorite. When I started dressing up as different characters in college, many of my professors pointed me in her direction, and I fell in love. Another impactful artist is Robert Wilson, I went to one of his exhibitions of moving images when I was in elementary school. Everything was so theatrical and informative of my work now.
What, in your opinion, is the most important quality in being an artist?
Taking time to breathe and download. With the way we consume media now, there’s a lot of pressure to be a non-stop, content creator. We’re not just creating content; we are exploring worlds, fantasies, challenging identity, and so on. It’s exhausting! Finding balance between where your personal life begins, and your art ends, is important. Otherwise, you’re going to burn out. Keep it light, make it fun, and don’t take everything too seriously.
How long, on average, does it take to complete a look, from start to finish?
I spend months collecting odds and ends, creating garments and headpieces. It’s hard to give a definite time frame because I just keep an open mind to what I’m creating. However, once I get the urge to make something and sit down in front of a mirror to do makeup, adorn my face with decals, apply wigs, masks and clothes, it’s about a three-to-four-hour process, only because I don’t like to rush. I love listening to music paired with a few sips of wine to get in the zone.
What is your life motto?
Don’t die before you’re dead.
Can you link us with your social media’s and website?
Instagram: @monar.x
Personal Page @shamismcgillin
MON-ARX.com
CREW CREDITS
Photographer + Makeup Artist: Shamis McGillin
Interview: Alison Hernon, Editor-In-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine &
Sarah Tota, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets: Caitriona Moran, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
