Find Yourself in McKenzie Sullivan’s Chair
Sullivan working outdoors in Boston, MA
McKenzie Sullivan is a Boston-based face and body painter who started her own company, Sully Paints, about a year ago. Visiting Providence often and co-hosting a monthly at Myrtle, she considers the area her second home. As Sullivan says, she’s drawn to the city’s “collective expression on the streets, the balance of city and nature, and the unrefined bar scene that feels genuine and familiar.”
TW: You’re a New Englander by way of the West and South—tell us about the journey.
MS: Growing up in San Diego was a kid's dream. I spent a lot of time outdoors playing with friends on the sides of small valleys and canyons. My mom mainly raised me and was an art agent at the time exposing me to a lot of that world. There was this oil painting that hung on the wall of our home, from the late artist Fernando Botero, that I loved. His style of art depicts people and figures in larger exaggerated volumes.
When we moved to Florida it was a rough transition—mainly a culture shock. There was a big shift from being a carefree child, to taking on more responsibility during a long stretch of hard times. I'm grateful for having experienced both. I’ve traveled all over the states; moving and driving from Florida to Boston as an adult was huge at the time. It felt like a true reset, and an ego death. From that point on everything I’ve gained an achievement, especially building close relationships.
TW: How’d you get into face and body painting?
MS: This is a hard one. I feel like going back to early on, I remember observing more than making anything that gave me a sort of breakthrough. I had a strong attraction to subversive beauty I'd find in art magazines, music, and movies. I remember when I was a kid seeing the opening scene in Cabaret with all the Kit-Kat Dancers in lifeless porcelain makeup while trying to seduce their audience. The juxtaposition and expression there, and in other forms of art really attracts me, and shaped where I am today.
I love to make people smile, or laugh especially when they're down. I think that informed the path I have been on of service oriented work. Holding a mirror up to a kid, or adult's face after I've painted them, releasing a huge smile, is the best drug in the world!
TW: Where are you sourcing clients and finding gigs? How’s it going, generally?
MS: I've been very grateful that my business has picked up in the last few months. At first I was setting up in the Boston Common during the winter, peddling until birthday requests started to trickle in, and I was able to pay to vend at events. I spent a lot of time emailing anyone who might let me paint with a 5% success or response. I had to ask for help in the beginning which wasn't easy, but things dramatically improved at the end of last year. Even though I am busier and more than financially comfortable, I still want to push myself for more.
TW: Not to put you on the spot, but can we ask about glitter, or, how are you thinking about the environment with respect to your own practice?
MS: I definitely think about my carbon footprint in my personal and business life. I am the person who checks the resin id number, and washes my containers with soap and water before throwing them in the recycling. I know most likely it doesn't matter and ends up in the waste. I have been looking into switching to eco-friendly glitter to use in my designs. On a side note I recently found out that there are textile drop boxes for loose fabrics (e.g. socks, fabric scraps, etc) that you can bring the stuff you can't drop off at a thrift store.
TW: Perhaps as daunting as climate change: How do you navigate situations when there’s a parent who is, let’s say…uncool?
MS: Face Painting is very unique in its ability to equalize, but not turn a blind eye to race, and gender. Specifically with gender fluidity in young kids, there have been times when a parent doesn't want their boy getting a rainbow, or glitter, and I have to look at them and say I love that for them, and in my chair you get to be whatever you want. Same thing with anyone of color wanting the same designs as someone who is of majority. There are no limitations to expressing yourself. Before I started my business, an elder painter painted a rainbow on my arm, and said "Spread the love." I hope even in its brevity, I can do that and create a moment of acceptance.
TW: Have you ever been stumped by a request?
MS: My first face paint gig was a birthday at a wealthy suburban home in Massachusetts. I had practiced painting the usual tigers, butterflies, rainbows, etc., and felt confident enough. The line of kids piled up beside me with the moms standing next to them. To the first kid I nervously said "Hey! What did you want to be today?" She took a long pause, and said "A shrimp". I buckled from the pressure, and could only remember one without a head that you eat. Her mom slowly walked her away before she could look.
TW: Kids love decapods. What about a time you erred; something you learned from?
MS: A few years back I was working in editorial makeup for some high end clients, assisting one of the top makeup artists in New England, and working with a Best of Boston wedding stylist. At the same time, I was going through a really hard breakup, and my cat was struggling with health issues. I let the pressure get to my head, and with very little notice dropped opportunities that were the pinnacle of where I wanted to be in my career. I think I may have blocked them both after professionally saying I was out. I try to let that one be a lesson about working through things rather than giving up completely.
Now, to find balance, I love to cook, and eat. It's simple, but can be hard to do sometimes. For me it is important to have that distraction from work, and to nourish my body. I'm always aspiring to do more activities. Lately I've been really interested in rock climbing.
TW: How about influential texts? Books, poems, blogs?
MS: In Jerzy Kosinski’s Being There, Chauncey Gardiner is the protagonist who really struck a chord with me—he is a simple man, but the outcome of his life was so much out of his control. It’s relatable. Howl by Ginsberg was the first time I've experienced any kind of counterculture literature growing up outside of the academically prescribed books at school, and expanded my mind to what a poem could be. It basically celebrates anyone of race, sexuality, etc. that lives outside the lines of what is expected in society.
TW: Do kids ever want more out-there or abstract designs?
MS: Kids tend to be more literal with the designs they choose, but there is always a chance to be abstract with color— like a pink cat. As I've gotten more comfortable painting faces I've tried to branch out with abstract shapes. I’ve painted hundreds of butterflies, and now knowing their general shape, can create designs that are less true that can still be recognized.
There's a thread between the editorial world and the more folk-settings of birthdays and events. When you are being commissioned, you’re working within certain parameters of creativity; with others’ expectations. Luckily, with most of these things you’re able to find loopholes that let you demonstrate your personal style.
TW: Love a loophole. So what’s the vibe at your monthly night here at Myrtle?
MS: I set up to face paint while Natalie DJs. I wish I could do both! We have similar tastes in music, and Natalie is such a Cancer—she really cares about creating an experience that feels like a warm hug. I absolutely love to paint there because it’s an adult crowd; there is an elevated element of creativity and freedom. Most people want the smaller designs, similar to a face tattoo, but I was lucky enough to paint at a David Bowie tribute party last year with full face designs, and that’s my goal at Myrtle!
TW: Anything coming up in the next few months you’d like us to know about?
MS: If anyone would like to travel to Boston, my favorite festival of the year is happening in Jamaica Plain, where I live. W.U.T.E, or Wake Up the Earth, is held by a community art organization called Spontaneous Celebrations. It's like Boston's stoner sister. Look it up, and you'll know.
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Get your face painted by McKenzie, for free, at our monthly, TOO MUCH TO DREAM on April 17.
