Today we’d like to introduce you to Gypsy Freeman.
Gypsy, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I was born in KS…right smack dab in the middle of the Bible belt. When I was young, I was put into a private Christian school. I was not allowed to listen to anything but Christian music or classical. I was not allowed to watch movies that were not rated G, and I was not allowed to look at magazines because of the possibility of something scandalous, such as cleavage or muscled, sweaty, shirtless men. We were the opposite of well-off, so I wore hand me downs and garage sale finds. I had no clue about fashion or makeup. God bless my Mama. She is crazy like me, and she is definitely probably the reason I think outside the box as an adult.
Mama let me put whatever combinations of clothes I wanted to on, and that is how I showed up to school. She never once told me I looked stupid, nor batted an eye when I came out wearing some outlandish combination of fresh hell. She just accepted it for me being me. She said she wasn’t going to stifle my creativity. Consequently…I remember rocking brightly colored sweat pants with cowboy boots or rainbow-colored rain boots on more than one occasion. (LOL) You can imagine how the kids and teachers at school must have viewed me. I always had really long hair, so Mama did do some cool things with my hair, though…thank God for small favors.
Fast forward a few years (when I turned 18) and moved to Wichita, which was a considerably larger city compared to where I grew up. For me, it was somewhat of a culture shock. It took years to really adjust to the real world, and even then, I knew absolutely nothing about anything. Just to give you a glimpse…Learning how to use a cell phone, much less an I Phone, was like learning a foreign language. I inherited none of the “math brains,” but all of the “art brains,” if you know what I mean. I loved animals, (specifically horses), and had a job at a barrel horse barn, and one at a racing barn. I was gifted with riding, and had a way with animals. I fully intended on being a Veterinary Tech after my year of assisting at a Veterinary clinic. Oh, the plans we make.
The first glimpse of photography, I ever had was being asked by my mom’s friend to model for her. She was building her photography portfolio, and thought I would do. It came surprisingly easy, and it was very fun. Fast forward to 2014, when I decided to pick up a makeup brush (that wasn’t the little crap paddle brush that comes in the drugstore palette. Yeah, you know the one.) I decided to attend cosmetology school because my fiancé at the time told me Interior Design school was too much time away from him, and to choose something shorter. So being the idiot that I am, I listened to him and chose something shorter… Mid way through the year, he mocked me (on more than one occasion), saying, “stop playing in the makeup and come work a real job with me.” Don’t ask, I don’t know why. Long story short…we broke up, and I couldn’t be happier.
They taught us the bare basics in the school, I was attending. At first, I could not understand why we needed more than one brush, or what they were all for. I was far behind the other girls in my class when it came to life skills and makeup. It was foreign, but it was magical. I started doing friend’s makeup, telling them what to wear, and taking pictures of them with my new-fangled I phone. A friend of mine had always been interested in fashion and modeling, and volunteered me to do her makeup and “fashion styling” for a photographer she was scheduled to shoot with. The photographer liked my “work” so much, he continued to ask me to do makeup and “fashion styling” for him. I soon became obsessed. My room looked like something out of a department store following Black Friday, and mama bought me my first professional makeup kit.
Fast forward to 2014. I married my best friend (no, not the first guy who mocked me). His career took us to Wesley Chapel, FL, where we currently reside. A photographer saw my Instagram and asked to shoot. On that shoot, I met one of my now best friends (I call her Slim) who happens to be a model and now, my sidekick. From that point on, I shot with a few different photographers (shout out to beautiful, Chanel Fernandez who introduced me to you all) including a talented Underwater/beauty photographer named Jenn Bischof. We became friends, and have done several shoots together. We ended up entering and winning a national contest put on by Kat Von D Beauty. If you are interested, Google Gypsy Freeman/Kat Von D, but just remember, the Wichita Eagle has the untainted story.
In early 2016, the owner of a five-star bridal artistry agency called Studio Bride, was hiring artists. I applied and went on to be their manager/trainer, and continue to be. Also, in 2016, I met who became my photographer partner, Michael Joseph Garrett. He saw me on Facebook and wanted me to give him a makeup lesson… he used to be a rock musician…you know… just some normal, everyday, natural makeup. Wink Wink. One thing led to another, and we decided to start a studio, Carpe Noctem Studios. We started to shoot models around the area to build our mutual portfolio, and the rest is history.
Anyway, fast forward to current day… I am still figuring out life and the industry. I am still learning, and I always will be. In the Tampa area, there is not a demand for high fashion, as it is definitely more of a commercial industry, so coming from Wichita, KS and landing in Tampa, FL… finding a fashion stylist to intern with has not happened. Until then, I just do what I can with what I have. I have had to figure out makeup artistry by trial and error, every face is so different, it is a constant learning experience. Every project is a new challenge. The greatest thing about it? I am never bored!
Please tell us about your art. What do you do / make / create? How? Why?
I take a person (whether they are not a model, a brand-new model, or a seasoned model), and make them into the piece of art. My hope is that when they see their photos, they feel empowered, inspired, and that they experience an elevated self-esteem.
What’s the message or inspiration, what do you hope people take away from it?
Whatever talent or passion you hold; harness and develop that. Use your powers for good. Also… it doesn’t matter where you come from… if I did it, you most certainly can too.
What should we know about your artwork?
Sometimes I plan a concept, and most of the time the idea comes when I lay eyes on the model. Sometimes, that means the very moment the model shows up and not a second before. Sometimes…I am visually impulsive. In the portfolio images I have submitted, I have done the makeup, hair, fashion styling, and I am the creative director.
Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
I am sure it has continuously done so throughout history, but I have personally been affected by said changes. I don’t think some people can separate politics from art at this point. EX: my dear, brief acquaintance, KVD, I feel art should be a common ground of artistic unity, and a place of peace. An enjoyable outlet. A way to find healing. Not a political pick-a-side shit show.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Instagram: @facesofgypsy @carpenoctemstudios. Come say Hiiiii!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.facesofgypsy.com/
- Instagram: @facesofgypsy @carpenoctemstudios
Image Credit:
Photographers: Carpe Noctem Studios, Jenn Bischof
Models(left, then right): Daisy Siders, Kaylee Giza (Slim), Marie Claire Frederick, Gypsy Freeman, Faith Hanna/Faith Hanna, Sean Gloria, Slim, Emary Stricker, Gypsy Freeman, Daisy Siders, Ariana Doeg
Makeup artist, hair, fashion styling, set styling, creative direction: Gypsy Freeman
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
