Faculty & Guest Artists
Make Up Artist Training by Award-Winning Artists
You will study under a team of Professional Makeup Artists who have years of experience in the entertainment, fashion, and beauty industries. Our instructors will inspire you as they share their real-world experiences working on feature films, television series, runway shows, music videos, and other events. Students who undergo make up artist training with currently working artists learn the latest trends using state-of-the-art equipment and practices.Blue Whale Studios Special FX Artists
Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry has partnered with Blue Whale Studios. They are a full service creative studio focused in Special Effects Makeup based in Atlanta Georgia. Each of Cosmix’s Special FX Instructors is a member of their team and a currently working artist. This alliance was formed out of our commitment to excellence and to escalate our student's technical skills focusing more on current industry practices including Silicone Prosthetics & On-Set Application for Film.For over twenty years, Blue Whale’s makeup artists and technicians have provided services to the film, television, and entertainment industries. They have a team of on-set I.A.T.S.E. film union makeup artists and a lab crew who design and create prosthetics, specialty costumes, puppets, and other props for the industry. Their clients include Walt Disney, Sony Pictures, Universal, Lionsgate, Warner Brothers, Fox, Xbox, and Microsoft.
Matt Silva
Matthew Silva, Co-owner of Blue Whale Studios Inc., has been working as a makeup artist for over 11 years and has been part of makeup teams on many major films. His acute attention to detail makes Matthew an extremely strong and versatile artist, with a skill set ranging from beauty and prosthetics to extremely technical sculpture, armor making, and prop building. His ability to lead and manage a team has helped the company expand to where it is today. See Credits>
Jonah Levy
Jonah Levy, Founder of Blue Whale Studios Inc., has been passionate about special effects makeup for most of his life. He has been working as a professional in the Makeup and Special F/X industry for over 24 years and has been part of makeup teams on many major motion films. His skills include everything from beauty makeup and body painting to advanced prosthetic and creature design. He works and teaches around the world, and loves to share his passion with others. See Credits>
Theater & Body Painting Instructors
Janine Wehby
received her BA in theatrical design with a focus in costumes and makeup from Columbia College Chicago known for its education in the visual, performing, media and communication arts.
For 9 years, she has specialized in bridal and theatrical makeup. Janine trained under Rick Jarvie, Chicago’s
Lyric Opera’s wig master. She is a licensed Cosmetologist and a member of the I.A.T.S.E local 500 union, and has done hair, makeup and
wardrobe for many productions. Her credits include numerous Broadway shows: Wicked, Looped, Anything Goes, Becoming Dr. Ruth. Since 2010, her work has also been seen on the runway at Miami’s Fashion Week.
Avi Ram
is a professional airbrush artist who started airbrushing t-shirts in Israel when he was 18. Avi creates designs
and airbrushes bodies, canvas, clothes, cars, motorcycles, just about anything. He was a finalist on the Season 2 reality show Skin Wars and winner (the best make up artist) on the Season 2 reality show Global Beauty Masters. He has also competed in many national body-painting
competitions. In 2015, he won 1st place in the Face & Body Art International Convention in Orlando, Florida. In 2017, Avi did a camouflage body painting tour in Israel. The 14-location calendar shoot around the country shows off Israeli landmarks and picturesque sites. He then went on and participated in a mermaid body painting event in China. He has painted many celebrities including Tyra Banks, Rebecca Romijin, and Cardi B.
Film & Television Instructors
Malinda Ballesteros
is a makeup artist with over fifteen years of experience in film & television. She has worked in Vancouver, British Columbia, Boston, Massachusetts, and Miami, Florida. Her specialties include beauty, character building, injury simulation and airbrushing. She has worked on the Television Series’ The Glades, Magic City, Burn Notice, The L Word, Bloodline, and American Crime Story. Her film credits include Iron Man 3, Dolphin Tale 2, Surrogates, The Game Plan, The Irishman, Grand Hotel, The One and Only Ivan, and The Last Thing He Wanted. Malinda is a member of IATSE Local 798 and a member of the Television Academy.
See Credits>Nadine Chiasson
received her B.A. in Education from Moncton University in Canada. She is a Cosmix graduate. She has been lead artist for Miami Fashion Week for 8 seasons and keyed over 100 fashion shows. She works for news networks and her work is seen on MSNBC, Fox News, CBS and CNN. Her clientele includes musicians, singers, athletes, politicians, and other celebrities including Celine Dion, Nayer, Deepak Chopra, Andrea Boccelli, Bill Clinton, John McCain, Fareed Zakaria, Alex Rodriguez, Walter Isaacson, Bob Schieffer, Charles Osgood, Karl Rove, Leslie Visser, Melinda Crane, Mia Kovacic, Dick Morris, and Chris Matthews.
Beauty & Fashion Instructors
Amy Pearman
received her Associates in Arts from Palm Beach College, her BS in Psychology from University of Phoenix, and is currently completing her Masters in Psychology at Capella University. She has perfected the art of brush technique and color blending in her fine art as well as makeup art. She was a MAC Pro Artist for over 12 years. Amy is sought after for her personal experience with clients as well as her inspirational approach to teaching. Amy’s career highlights include collaborating with designers Lila Nikole and Rene Ruiz, and working with the Cardi B team for the 2018 BET Awards. With 20 years of freelance experience, Amy is known for her knowledge and technique.Sher Salzman
is a celebrity/fashion makeup artist from L.A., where she was represented by Zenobia Agency. Her work has appeared in magazines such as Elle, Rolling Stone, Playboy, Vogue (Italian), Taqa Q (Japan) Vital (France) and the Spanish publication Venue. Her credits include Cameron Diaz, Matt Damon, Keifer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, Melanie Griffith, Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Voight, and Garcelle Beauvais, Reebok, Calvin Klein, Bloomingdales, Saks, Macy’s and Speedo. She has been a platform artist for various companies, has consulted for Estee Lauder in product development, and was the West Coast Beauty Expert for Mademoiselle Magazine.
Jessie Flannery
is a freelance makeup artist, specializing in Airbrush Makeup for Bridal parties and special events. She received a Bachelors degree in Fashion Merchandising from the University of Delaware and is a graduate
from the Production program at Cosmix. She has worked for several retail brands and Bridal companies in
South Florida, including Bobbi Brown, Christian Dior of Fly Dry of Delray Beach. As a freelance artist, she is
experienced in a wide variety of mediums, including runway for Miami Fashion week, short films and music
videos.Michelle Mendieta
was born in Miami. She specializes in airbrushing and is a national educator for Dinair Airbrush. She has worked for retail companies and freelances doing weddings and special events in South Florida.
Her work has been featured on TLC's television series The Little Couple, Four Weddings, Telemundo's Pequeños Gigantes, and Master Chef Latino. She has also
done makeup for Miami Fashion Week.
Her client list includes bestselling author James Patterson, American chef, restaurateur, and television personality Geoffrey Zakarian, and award winning American rapper, Cardi B. She worked on the 2011 and 2012 Emmys, the2013 Oscars, and the 2014 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
Skin Care Instructor
Jeanette King
is a bilingual talented skincare specialist with over 25 years of experience in skincare and skin therapy. She
has extensive professional experience in all aspects of skin therapy including: anti-aging and acne facials, microdermabrasion, hydrating and detox body wraps, manicures, pedicures, and more. For the last ten years, Jeanette has run her own successful skin care business. She is an expert in leading industry techniques, is committed to exceptional client care, and always brings a superior attention to detail. Jeanette is excited to help shape new and upcoming skincare specialists.