For Jackie Bieber, hair ought to at all times be checked out as a type of artwork and private expression. Bieber, who has a background in portray and visible artwork, now makes use of the human head as a canvas to hand-draw her wildest creations. The 22-year-old artist’s immaculate designs vary from flames, smiley faces and crosses to among the boldest colours and textures that hair follicles can maintain. The younger artist who grew uninterested in conventional mediums discovered herself impressed to enter the world of hair design, and inside three years, has change into some of the sought-after artists in her discipline.
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What was your upbringing like, and the way did it inform you as an artist?
I used to be raised in Hawaii, on the small island of Kauai. I really feel that had lots to do with who I’m now as an individual. It was a small island with not a lot to do, however as a toddler, I tapped into the artwork world. I grew up portray and drawing, which grew to become my outlet. I used to be actually impressed by the character round me with the greenery and delightful ocean.
When did you begin working with hair specifically?
Having a background in portray and drawing helped lots. One among my buddies shaved her head bald, and I used to be tired of the normal portray medium, so [I] had the concept to do a portray on her bald head. I had a background in hair merchandise as nicely as a result of my mother was a hairstylist, so I actually simply mixed the 2 mediums. I obtained all of the semi-permanent colours and used my good friend’s head as my canvas, and that’s just about it. All the things I do is hand-drawn with out stencils. The primary type I did was flames, and since then it’s actually developed and brought off.
When individuals come to you, do you could have a session technique of types?
There’s a session course of, and I’ve an iPad the place I sketch my concepts onto. I’m actually simply impressed by completely different colours, textures and patterns inside nature. It’s actually simply all in my head, and I sketch it on my iPad, after which it finally ends up on somebody’s head. Proper now individuals get in contact with me by way of DMs, that are getting flooded in the meanwhile. Nonetheless, sooner or later, I’m creating an internet site. Each shopper that I work with may be very customized, so I don’t need a reserving system. I wish to really speak to my purchasers forward of time. Once I labored with blackbear for the primary time, I simply obtained a DM from him, and we simply linked up, did the hair, and all of it performed out nicely. With a whole lot of purchasers that I work with, they wish to do one thing extraordinary to get a response from individuals.
How lengthy have you ever been doing hair artwork since you bought your begin?
It’s been about three years. I wasn’t as open about sharing it on social media then as I’m now. I used to be posting right here and there however didn’t know if it was attention-grabbing to different individuals. Lately, I began posting religiously on TikTok. The primary-ever video I posted was a flower bouquet design that I did, and in a single day it grew exponentially the place it obtained 5 million views in a single evening. From there, I began creating extra and obtained some loopy alternatives. I started working with Dennis Rodman, who is sort of just like the founding father of this type. Individuals see my resume of the completely different kinds I’ve performed and the purchasers will look by way of it, however then we’ll create one thing new and enjoyable.
It feels like this all began from such an natural place the place you probably did the artwork first, and every little thing else with the web success is only a byproduct of your ardour.
That’s very true. With this hair stuff, it’s so exhilarating since you solely have a sure period of time earlier than your hair grows out and you must shave it off to begin a brand new piece. It’s at all times evolving, and it’s at all times the following factor the place you’re exploring new types of artwork.
Have you ever ever had a second the place the method went improper and also you made a mistake with the shopper’s hair? [Laughs.]
Once I do hair design, I’m going straight into it with no pointers the place I simply venture my picture to the top, and that may be scary typically. Every line that I do is daring, and should you mess one thing up, you must undergo the entire bleaching course of once more. I’ve tousled earlier than, however it all ties in on the finish. If you’re making artwork, although, there actually isn’t any such factor as a mistake as a result of you possibly can at all times mix all of it collectively. It doesn’t matter what, it’s simply enjoyable, and that is an expression of artwork.
Who’s your greatest affect in visible artwork?
I like Takashi Murakami. The colours and creatures that he attracts movement collectively rather well, and he’s influenced me lots.
What sort of music are you into?
I grew up on oldies, particularly rock and pop tradition. I like the ’80s and ’90s rock, and my dad would at all times placed on CDs once we could be chilling round the home. My dad really labored in music earlier than we moved to Hawaii, and he had an enormous affect on me. I get pleasure from music as a lot as visible arts.
What’s the very best place to eat in LA?
My home! [Laughs.]
You could have labored with a variety of notable purchasers, from Dennis Rodman to blackbear. Do you now have goals of opening up your personal flagship salon?
I’m undoubtedly wanting ahead to opening my very own salon ultimately, however first I wish to begin my very own enterprise, my very own product line and begin to educate individuals with tutorial movies. I’m only one individual doing this and sharing my artwork on the web, and folks wish to replicate it. I wish to give all of them the instruments and methods that I’ve used to ensure that them to do it at residence with their buddies. Once I ultimately open my salon, I wish to have a group of people that wish to do enjoyable creative shit.
[Photo by Jackie Bieber]
[Photo by Jackie Bieber]
[Photo by Jackie Bieber]
[Photo by Jackie Bieber]
This characteristic appeared in problem #406, obtainable beneath.
