Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Carter.
Hi Lee, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My mom inspired my creative journey when in the late 90’s she became a fashion model in New York. Seeing her in magazines and on television sparked my curiosity for makeup & beauty.
Growing up in Galveston Bay in South Texas was not the most acceptable place for a gay person to fit in. I played sport & did all the usual macho things to stay unnoticed. I wasn’t the stereotypical gay kid. I didn’t have any role models, so I didn’t understand what being gay was. Being unable to express myself, I drew inspiration from artists I would see on TV like Michael Jackson.
It wasn’t until 2009 while working as a young electrician for a construction company in downtown Houston when I stepped into the Montrose scene, its lively bars filled with dancing cowboys & queer folk. This is where I started experimenting with applying makeup to myself & others. I started performing on stage & using makeup to become different characters in drag. Impersonating Beyoncé got me noticed & I started making appearances at parties & winning contests.
This finally helped me gain confidence and a valuable set of skills. As a freelance hair & makeup artist, I work alongside photographers & choreographers at runway & fashion shoots, creating adventurous & inspiring looks.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My biggest struggle was accepting that I was gay, & overcoming self-doubt. As a kid, I was shy & introverted – still am today! Bullying at school and domestic violence at home during my early years caused me to self-isolate. To drown out the noise of my surroundings, I’d bury my imagination in movies & music. I would carry a camcorder around making home-movies with my friends. It was the beginning of my creative journey.
Coming out as gay & discovering the gay scene was a life changing experience. I began experimenting with different styles & illusions, applying makeup allowed me to hide behind a mask. At first, my style was androgynous & then slowly evolved toward drag art. There weren’t many references for a gay black man at the time, so I would pickup on influences anyway I could. Encouragement from others was a great help, but there were naturally some that rejected my art.
In 2012, I started producing online content on YouTube that included drag shows & visual face art. The makeup, heels & costume serve as a suit of armor, while performing in front of a crowd of people empowers me, freeing me from internal restrictions. Drag has the unique ability to alter my brain chemistry balance.
Drag has given me a few public glories, but many private sacrifices. Judgment from family was a hard pill to swallow, in addition to the discrimination & harassment that comes with being a gay black man. I have lost employment opportunities in the past in pursuit of my art. Despite the setbacks, I have been able to re-invent myself over & over, and remain aligned to my true self.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a makeup artist, I do Fashion makeup, Beauty makeup, Airbrush makeup and Glamour makeup. When I can achieve a challenging look such as “You can’t tell they’re wearing makeup” look, that’s what many of my clients love. With skin that looks flawless, & features well defined & sculpted.
Other services I provide include wig styling & skincare. I work on social media a lot, and it has given me the ability to propel my own career forward as a makeup artist. I put up makeup looks on Instagram and YouTube, which I edit myself.
If I’m seeking creative insights, I’ll often leave my studio and go to a museum. Houston’s dynamic and contemporary art scene is inspiring. It sparks creative ideas. My art never stops developing.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I’m lucky enough to have a circle of artists and creatives that keep me inspired. Networking is vital if you want to advance, progress, learn and exploit opportunity. It’s about making your own luck, making your own destiny, and not waiting for opportunities to come along.
Pricing:
- Makeup (no makeup look) : $60
- HD Makeup: $80
- Full Glam Makeup: $120
Contact Info:
- Email: Deroncarter87@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Kingleecarter/
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/Kingleecarter/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Kingleecarter
- Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/user/CarterRobinsonMusic
- Other: https://www.TikTok.com/@1leecarter?lang=en
