Student Star: Cara Walsh—Natural Born Artist
As if you need one more reason to post more photos to your Facebook, Instagram, or Behance account.
Here’s one: You never know who will see it.
Just ask Cara Walsh. The Empire Beauty School student was busy finishing up her last few weeks of school when she was contacted by organizers of the national artist showcase RAW, Natural Born Artists.
“She found me online from my Behance profile. I got a message inviting me to showcase my work at the next RAW event in Philadelphia.” says Cara.
RAW (www.rawartists.org) hosts travelling artist exhibits in cities all around the U.S. and Australia. Cara is 1 of 40 artists, ranging from photographers to sculptors, to graphic designers, performing artists and more who will exhibit their craft at the organizations Philadelphia show.
Cara says she plans to display her work as a makeup artist. It’s a passion that took this college graduate, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Kutztown University, to beauty school.
“I went off to college and graduated with a degree in graphic design, but I always had an interest in makeup. After I graduated, I needed to start paying back my student loans, and I got a job working at Sephora. It opened my eyes to a whole career in makeup. It was then I knew I wanted to get my license and pursue this path.”
But Cara, with loans to repay, knew going back to school wouldn’t be easy. She began as a night student at Empire Beauty School in Moosic, PA, while continuing to work full time at Sephora. Her goal was to get through school, graduate and begin a career as a makeup artist. No matter how hard it would be.
“I think you have to be true to yourself. You can be working in a field you went to school for, in a job making a lot of money, but if you are not doing what you want, you will always be thinking about it.”
Cara recently graduated from Empire Beauty School, ready to finally pursue her dream career. She says she has learned a lot along the way, even a new passion for nail art and hair color. But if you look at her social media pages, it’s all about her original love, makeup.
As for the RAW, Natural Born Artists showcases, she says she is working on her display. She plans to do a photo shoot as well as style a live model. She wants her exhibit to be professional, fresh and relevant.
“I just hope to make a lot of connections. That’s what it’s all about. Feeling inspired by other artists and possibly working with them in the future. I am excited.”