Antonio Costa is a Cuban native artist. He has mastered his most favorite art, makeup! His innovative creations have paraded among the most famous showcases and Halloween contests throughout the years in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and South Florida in general. His latest work has been the re-creation of one of the most impressive and talked about characters.
Antonio Costa is a Cuban native artist. He has mastered his most favorite art, makeup! His innovative creations have paraded among the most famous showcases and Halloween contests throughout the years in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and South Florida in general. His latest work has been the re-creation of one of the most impressive and talked about characters. This past February 27th at Discotekka, Vegas Dion was converted into an Avatar. The detailed and amazing outcome triggered me to find out more about him and the techniques of his art. It was a pleasure to sit down and interview such a talented artist.
Where are you from and what is your background?
I’am from a city named Las Tunas located in the eastern side of the Cuban island. That is where I grew up and obtained most of my professional formation. I was there until I turned 24 years old and left to Puerto Rico, where I lived for 2 years, until I moved to South Florida where I’ve been residing.
When did you first realize you enjoyed artistry?
From my early years I was always involved in an artistic environment, not only at school but at home with the company of my brother, who is also very artistic, we both created many characters and fiction through paintings and costumes. It is impossible not to mention my brother’s great influence in my career as an artist.
Did you go to school for art?
Yes. I studied at a technical school for arts back in my province for 7 years. Enjoying the opportunity to obtain a general knowledge in all aspects of Art, such as sculpting, drawing, sketching, painting, etc. in which I became a specialist and graduated as a painting and drawing art teacher. Those were memorable years of experience and profesional knowledge.
When did you realize that art was going to be your career?
It is very difficult to swim against the current…and more when you have received such a gift in the arts. This is why I have found an answer to my own life and existence, that is art. A wonderful gift that I possess in my hands since my early years in this world…
Do you have a preference of technique for makeup? If so, which and why?
Makeup is a topic of great interest of mine as an artist. I remember when I was a student I always found ways to involve in my projects anything that had to do with creation or altering, using art or makeup, something in the body.
Techniques? I enjoy them all, even the most creative and extravagant. It’s a goal to give life to a portrait painted on a canvas, but I enjoy very much to create with makeup any type of illusion and not have to use any latex materials to create a different image.
What is your favorite person and/or image you have ever created?
In reality, I have had the opportunity to work with numerous dancers, models, singers, but most of the time I have worked on myself. I have been my own model in many of my creations, especially in the animal themes and characters. Definitely, this last project has been a great goal for me to achieve, it is not easy to give life to a cartoon character from a movie and create it from scratch into a human body only using makeup. “Avatar” was a beautiful inspiration, a rich fusion between human and animal. I want to thank Vegas Dion for the amazing job as a model in bringing this character to life.
What is your next project?
I am working on different things that will be a surprise. I will keep working and creating in that great blank canvas which is our own faces, through the mystery of color and beauty. Keep showcasing my work and share it with everyone. I thank all of those people who are here and the ones who are no longer, that have left an impact and have been part of this magical form of expression… art!
To find out more about Antonio or to see some of his other creations, visit his website at AntonioCosta-Artist.com
