An Interview with Extreme Makeup Artist Christina Drop
Years ago, as two little boys with paper and pencils, my cousin and I would set out to draw cartoons and stick figures. Mine were of houses and little families and his were of monsters and ghouls. I quickly realized he had the ability to see and feel things I couldn’t. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet a local artist who has these similar talents. Christina Drop resides in Portland, Oregon where she writes music, paints and has the unique gift of bringing dark and striking images to life.
Crave: From tear-away ears to gaping head wounds, you’ve demonstrated some imaginative artistic ability. After you watched the movie Alien years ago, what direction did you want your art to take?
CD: The look of the film, specifically the art of H.R. Giger, fascinated and excited me as a child. This disturbed my poor parents, but it struck a creative chord deep down. I’ve found myself gravitating towards dark artwork ever since. I’m intrigued by what scares me and am trying to push that farther each project.
Crave: After many years working with different types of materials, what is your favorite medium to use in makeup?
CD: Airbrush makeup is a current favorite because it is still a challenge. I also love prosthetics, but it is probably the most difficult as far as the learning curve.
Crave: What films have you worked on in the past?
CD: I’ve only just started working on film in the last six months. I am forever indebted to Disintegrated Pictures for getting me started with a few short films they were doing. An amazing local makeup artist by the name of Crystal Shade got me involved with the short film Bobbsey Twins Go To Hell. I just finished with the film “Dark Horizon” directed by Nicholas Hagen, and am currently working on Recovery by Mike Prosser and Whiskey Marine by Autumn Andel. The Glue That Binds was the entry into the 48 hour film fest. I’m addicted to doing film, and hope to continue working in that medium in the future.
Crave: You’re also a musician. Music being a different type of creative outlet, what approach to writing music is similar to the creative process for your makeup and painting and what is different?
CD: It’s not different for me, and the fact that I’m into so many different art forms was a source of personal agony while growing up. There is a lot of pressure to pick only one and specialize. Sitting down to write a song feels the same to me as creating a zombie. Creativity is innate to all of us, and I’m a big proponent of tearing down some of the social barriers between the different art forms.
Crave: You mention on your website that you are “under construction” and we’ve met you at a “very strange time” in your life. What changes are you going through as an artist?
CD: This last year has been brutal, yet the best thing to ever happen to me. I was in a creative rut. I had the overwhelming desire to do creative acts, but was too busy creating excuses for why I couldn’t. I finally hit bottom and said “well why not” and put myself out there. There is a lot of challenges ahead, but I’m having the time of my life!
Crave: What do you find to be the most satisfying aspect of your creative projects? What do we get to see from you next?
CD: The most satisfying aspect I think is solving problems and watching my art improve. I really enjoy challenging myself and trying to figure out how to do things better and faster and get outside my box. Hopefully I will continue to find creative people to work with and projects that push me even farther along, both personally and creatively.
www.compulsivecreativity.com
