Nagoya resident Yeni Kartikasari paints faces, but not in the way you may think of face painting. She’s a creative make-up specialist who does much more than simple make-up. She uses her talents to completely redesign faces, whether for beauty, fantasy, or just for fun.
We talked to Yeni about her art, herself, and her favorites.
td: Where are you from originally, Yeni?
yk: I’m from Banjar Patroman, Indonesia.
td: How long have you lived in Nagoya?
yk: I’ve lived here about 6 years.
td: Why did you come to Nagoya?
yk: When I was in college, I studied Japanese for about a year, and I thought it would be great if I could
visit Japan and try to live here. A friend of mine was living here. She told me about Nagoya, so I
decided to try here.
td: What do you like about Japan?
yk: Transportation. It’s so easy to get anywhere without worrying about missing the train! I also like the
food; my favorite is nabe.
td: What do you not like?
yk: Discrimination. Some Japanese look at me so low, they think I have no skill because of my inability
with Japanese.
td: What do you miss most about your country?
yk: I miss my mom! She is the best rule for me. I learned a lot from her about life. Also, food. We have
lots of different kinds of food. My favorite is meat ball and nasi padang, which is a traditional
Sumatra food which is very spicy and tasty. I also miss my old neighborhood, talking to people who live next door to my home.
td: What did you study in college?
yk: I studied computer economics, you know, computer accounting and business. I had a job as a
receptionist at a hotel after college, but I didn’t like working in an office, so I changed my career.
td: How long have you been doing make-up?
yk: Two years. I was in love with the Youtube make-up artists. They do the best to teach women to be
beautiful.
td: What is your greatest dream with your make-up career?
yk: To become a professional make-up artist.
td: Do you think of make-up as ART?
yk: Definitely. They put color on your face and/or body, they treat your face and body like a canvas.
td: Are there any make-up artists that you admire?
yk: Yes. I love Kevin Aucoin; he inspired my make-up style. Also, I love Nina Flower and Sultan Raja; they aren’t afraid to use colors. Make-up is just about a feeling, there is no ‘right or wrong’, it’s just
expressing yourself without fear of failure.
td: If you could be anywhere, doing anything, where would you be and what would you be doing?
yk: I’d be in LA, doing prosthetic make-up for the new GODZILLA movie, because my dream is to be a
professional make-up artist for special effects.
td: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
yk: My spirit and positive attitude. I believe if people work hard and never give up, they can get
whatever they dream about.
td: What do you like least about yourself?
yk: My boobs! They’re too big! My shoulder sometimes can’t support them very well and it bothers me
and my activities. And my feet, they are ugly and dry…ha ha!
Well Yeni, if dry feet and big boobs are your biggest problems, sounds like you’re doing pretty damn good.
Did someone call for make-up?
Contact Yeni at:
misspiggy-cute@i.softbank.ne.jp
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