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THE ARTISAN SUMMER 2024 • 53 PHOTOS COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT+ EXCEPT BTS PHOTOS COURTESY OF VONDA K. MORRIS & WANKAYA HINKSON Growing up in Los Angeles, I was so close to Hollywood yet so far away from the lights, camera, and action of a movie set. I was gied with the purpose of creating but never dreamt of becoming a professional make-up artist. is amazing journey started aer I was in a car accident while attending the historically Black college, Grambling State University. Aer the accident, I had to return home. During my recovery, I decided to do what I loved and started cosmetology school to become a professional hair stylist. I didn't stop there—I went on to find myself enrolled in the well-respected Joe Blasco Makeup School for Film and Television. e skills I mastered led to a career that I could have never anticipated. Imagine, it's your first job and you're working on the movie Candyman with iconic make-up artist Michelle Buhler, who had credits such as Pulp Fiction and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Aer years of professional experience, I was ready to explore all opportunities in the industry. Little did I know, taking on the job of a one-woman department covering hair, make-up and special effects on Ava DuVernay's Middle of Nowhere would lead to establishing a relationship with David Oyelowo. During our 13 years together, David MAKE-UP B Y V O N D A K . M O R R I S M A K E - U P D E S I G N E R HAIR B Y W A N K A Y A H I N K S O N D E P A R T M E N T H E A D H A I R Growing up with a passion for Black history, I found myself drawn to the stories of resilience, struggle, and triumph that characterized the lives of individuals who paved the way for future generations. As a child, I was involved in an organization at school called the Winning Circle that immersed us in the rich tapestry of Black history. I vividly recall the opportunity to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, retracing the steps of those who stood against injustice during Bloody Sunday, alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Little did I know that my journey would lead me to become the Department Head Hair for Lawmen: Bass Reeves, a project that would not only challenge my creative abilities but also deepen my understanding of the historical narratives that shaped our past. When I was first approached about the Lawmen: Bass Reeves project, I must confess that I had no prior knowledge of Bass Reeves or his significance in American history, so my research had to extend far beyond the confines of conventional sources. While Google and Pinterest provided valuable insights, I sought out raw, authentic inspirations at the African American Museum, I traveled to Washington, DC and Continued on page 54 Continued on page 56 Donald Sutherland as Judge Parker