ADDICTED ARTISTRY
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Mary Gurnow Wilmot is a creative professional Make Up Artist and Hair Stylist with experience ranging from weddings and portraiture to commercial projects and haute fashion. She has collaborated with a variety of clientele nationally, including models, designers, and well known photographers.
Mary was born and raised in Webster, a suburb of Rochester in upstate NY. For Mary, the love for the Art of Makeup began at an early age when she received her very first lipstick as a gift from her Mother. Little did her Mother know that she was opening a world of limitless possibilities. Being naturally artistic, her early interest in drawing and painting would soon be developed into a talented hand for makeup application. However, it was through her involvement with the Performing Arts and Theater which would provide the essential atmosphere for her skills to truly flourish.
As other’s began to seek out her expertise, she realized her passion to expand her abilities further by attending Professional Makeup Artist courses in Hollywood, CA; heart of the entertainment industry. Mary then simultaneously found a business career in the field of Worker’s Compensation Insurance which she developed over the course of 14 years. Her desire to press forward in the beauty industry was further fostered by obtaining her Esthetics license at Shear Ego International School in New York. Mary was highly inspired by her esthetic instructor who took notice of her skill set and facilitated her progression both academically and on the professional front.
Recognizing her talent and passion for the industry she was hired immediately out of school by the Shear Ego Salon and Spa to be the Face of their Makeup Department and to provide esthetic services. While her time at the spa was a tremendous learning experience, Mary continued to work her freelance and build her portfolio with creative projects involving a variety of other artists and professionals in the field.
After a time, Mary began to miss some of the corporate experience and being very business minded she was again pulled back into the insurance industry which provided her analytical satisfaction. Still she maintained diligence in her endeavors and developments in her true passion, that of the expression of beauty.
Before long her path brought her back to Shear Ego Salon and Spa and she was the named lead of the Make Up Department. It was during this time in the salon that her love for the art of hair was cultivated. As she worked side by side with professional stylists she began to watch and keep a diligent eye. She soon realized her desire to progress further in her career and personal goals by adding hair services to her artistic and technical menu.
Mary returned to Shear Ego International School in New York where she attended classes in Cosmetology, acquiring the skills to style, cut and color a wide variety of hair types. She has taken her creative ability to the next level and has been successful in the competition area and continues to further her education with courses in Color Perfection. She has also studied under Peter Webb, world-champion hairstylist and Artistic Director of the salon and school where she completed his La Coiffure advanced cutting and color classes. As they both also loved the medium of photography the two worked side by side in the studio creating a unique, high fashion and avant-garde portfolio of work.
Gradually Mary found that her proficiency in business translated to her growing success within her specialty. It was then that she found herself donning the title of Owner/Operator of her own company, ADDICTED ARTISTRY. With the attainment of more clients and an evolving assortment of work she was able to expand her collection of services. Today, ADDICTED ARTISTRY offers an array of options for individuals spanning from makeup application, facial treatments, hair services and a full waxing menu.
Mary continues to enjoy learning and teaching about makeup and the importance of skincare and haircare and whatever the occasion is most passionate about helping her clients to look and feel their very best.