" The Prophet"

Give your hearts, but not into each others keeping.
For only the hand of life can contain your hearts..

And stand together yet not too near together:

For the pillars of the temple stand apart, and the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each others shadow.. The Prophet -Kahlil Gibran


MY JOURNEY,

Everyday I learn something new, about me, the world, being human.... I am grateful for for each and every life experience I have had. To move to NY at a young age was scary but I can truly say that I have made it thru the NY Trenches(in My Own Way)Moving here in the 90's at the age of 18 was no laughing matter..Getting to Ft.Greene on the G Train then was a nightmare!! But this was my dream, to live in the big apple, like many others.. I am grateful to my friends who showed me the ropes to survival.... It is true what they say NY can and Will chew you up and spit you out if you cannot handle the heat>> Givethanks that I did not hit rock bottom, but a times it felt that way. I have lived in a closet, studio, shared house you name it>> My first job in NY was at Le Chateau store at Broadway and Lafayette
( now Crate & Barrel) the first time I had direct deposit>>( I thought I was rich lol) from there I moved on to various Soho boutiques, Only to return to my roots as a waitress/ bar girl in then renovated Sheilas restaurant> turned Brooklyn Mod, Owned by the most stylish man ever known to man Todd Johnson>> That is where I formed friendships that have lasted for years and new turns in my life from there I received a offer as bar maid a Chez Oscar, directly across from my former job. I took the chance>> Loved the energy there Lots of cool people>> by this time I had my own place in a tenants under duress building in Ft. Greene my rent was $250! Yep $250, there was a feeling of progress in the area around 97/98 but it still had its griminess, you would not want to be outside after a certain time if you know what I mean>>> Still with no certain direction of what I wanted to do as a career>
I continued working at the restaurant, surrounded by art culture, life> was comfort for me, until a dose of reality hit>> I was to be evicted> with nowhere to go one of my customers offer a couch and I gladly except>> a job but homeless was not cute for a now twenty year old with something to prove>> I took another job on the infamous Ft. Greene restaurant row to make ends meet while couch surfing, and received a message that would change my life forever>>> My friend at the time was an actress one of the few black actresses at the time, who had a nice roster under her belt so it was inspiring to see her work.> Taraji P.H. Had come to visit my friend, she took me to lunch and asked me what were my goals and what was I going to do to achieve them.> Then I really had no clue> I was a young girl from Cali> still searching>>>> There is a message for you my friend says>> There is a producer looking for a make up artist, Make up artist? I am not a Make up artist I say>> We'll you need money don't you!>> I take the job with no clue to what is in store for me> I go to the pharmacy on Dekalb Ave, bought what powders they had left and prepare to do a task that I lied to know a thing about>>>> The video goes without a hitch>> $500 cash in hand> Client was happy > I said to myself I can do this Yes I am a Make Up Artist>>> That was the day s Miyako J Make Up Artist was born>>> 12 years ago and counting>>> I started as groomer for rap artists, met photo editor D.Boardley of whom gave me my first editorial tears@XXL, From there Source,Vibe,Heart& Soul,Pure Playas,Enyce,Southpaw etc... and my defining moment was my first cover for Oneworld magazine w Q-Tip & Rosario Dawson. I also had a stint working as a personal assistant for Common> I got that job from one of my photo shoots with him>> By this time I had a new place and paying rent off of my freelance>> I had been offered a position at a M.A.C> By then M.A.C.trainer Nadine Luke ( Now Director of M.A.C.Europe( who was my neighbor when I lived on Dekalb. I use to wonder why they always lugged huge bags around to and from cars not realizing they were Make up artists>> Duh> We met backstage at the shows when I use to dress models>>( I am a jack of all trades>> And she asked me if I would like a position, but the location was to far so I passed>> Time went on.. work became slow> I was forced to give up my apt> to rent out a room at a friends old place that lasted for a few months, until I met a Shawty from ATL that took my breath at the time I instantly fell for him> he was a youngin at the time but with a mature vibe that was on the money>> He was living in Paris studying music and was in NY for just a bite>> we chilled, he sang to me>> We>>> Anyway That is where I came up with the bright Idea to go to Paris, This was around 9/11 so there was plenty of stress going on in the states and I felt the need to get away>> I placed my things in storage> and made a move> The only reason why I had a passport was because I was to travel with one of my clients.. that fell thru>> But hey it came in handy>> Before I left town I decided to stop by the M.A.C Fulton street counter, the manager called me for an interview I told her about my trip she said to call her when I returned>> of which I did>> Started me as a freelancer and there I stood for for 4 1/2 years as a M.A.C. Gal>> Finally I felt I had made something of my self for my family to be proud that I had my own Benefits,a 401k and money in my savings>> I still pursued my freelance while I worked there at times it would cause conflict> But I stayed driven on what I was passionate about>> I kept moving forward until I felt being at that counter was not progressive and felt the need to explore and travel>> I went back to Paris> St.Martin, St. Barths, Anguilla> That is when I thought I could live in the Caribbean> Low n behold my next trip would involve me losing my job> I took a risk and went back to freelance> doing gigs between NY and Miami> until months after I would get a call to go to Barbados to be apart of the make up team for their fashion week> The producer loved my work and hired me again for Caribbean Fashion Week in Jamaica> from there I would direct the show for another 2 years> At the time I had just moved into my third NY apt a studio> Just perfect for me> by this time I was rarely home most of my time spent was in the Caribbean> During my second year directing CFW, a model friend asks me if I would be able to do her make up for a shoot, I agreed> She Caribbean Magazine, Published in St. Lucia> Back to NY> Steady on the grind> Meet up with a friend over drinks at my house and he just starts to tell me about his country> St. Lucia>> How beautiful, natural resources, the vibe of the people, how Mystic>>> I just wanted to be there>> The next day I am on set> My phone rings and it is the owner of the magazine asking me can come to St. Lucia> What >>> How Crazy is that I said to myself> So I go to Lucia>>> I fell in Love> I just shot a Bangin cover> What else do I need??>> I was to only stay for a week and ended up staying for almost 3!> That was when I decided to move to the Caribbean> within 2 months I moved to St. Lucia> I worked my shoots and Became Beauty Editor>> Stayed there for 2 years and went back n forth to NY> Family thought I was trippin> But that is something I can say> I did IT! No turning Back<>>> late in 08' I moved back to NY only for a few months> I had some lessons to learn about life and relationships> I Learned>> Moved on and over heard that I was a nominee for best Caribbean make up artist> In a stressed time of my life> It was good to good to hear some good news>> I made my decision to attend> And felt Very lucky to be there It felt like all the years that I had been working towards something>>And it finally came to harvest> I know it's not a Grammy> but It meant that people liked my art and what I stand for> My Creative soul>I givethanks that people Show love towards my talent I have come along way and GOD willing to allow me to Journey Some MO> I am Back in NY feeling Blessed and ready to get to work>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Muchlove>> Miyako J.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Keep Moving Forward>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>2010>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>