Interview: Model Monica Irma Ricci (Italy)
Can you tell us a little about you?
My name is Erika, I am a 23 year old girl. Born and raised in Rome. I am a makeup artist and a model. I started my studies as a surveyor, after graduating I realized that it was not the job for me. I needed to do a more artistic job, so in 2018 I started studying at the ProfessionalMakeup Academy. There I met many fantastic teachers like Andrea Ricci, David Bracci, Daniele Peluso, Rossano De Cesaris. Already in 2019 I started to approach the world of photography and cinema. Since I was a child my heart has always been attracted to art. I love to draw, this is a talent I inherited from my father. I also got a passion for chess and video games from him. I have been practicing karate since I was little. Thanks to my sensei, Yamada I had my first approach to Japanese culture. Now I’m passionate about it! I made Japan my philosophy of life: beauty in small things. I like to travel to discover new places and broaden my horizons. I was born under the sign of the aquarium, from here derives all my creativity and fantasy. My favorite books are fantasy. I love to immerse myself in the lands of hobbits, ride hippogriffs, swim in the deep waters of sirens, visit the ruins of mysterious magical castles, fight against fire-breathing dragons... I’m a curious person, every experience that is on a film or photo set for me is always a new world to visit, I’m always looking for something I don’t know: from the operation of a camera, the positioning of the lights, the choice of colors... It’s like I’m constantly feeling incomplete, and I’m really enjoying it. I consider myself a brave enough person, I was never afraid of not being able to do it, accidents happen, but I always protected my dreams, I was always the author of my reality. Even in the darkest of times, I never went back. I am very grateful to all the people I have met in my life, especially I owe a lot to my family.
If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
I believe that even the purest and most innocent creature conceals imperfections. The secret is to live in a perfect balance between defect and perfection, only then could we be at peace with the world. So yes, I have many flaws...but I am so fond of them. I wouldn’t change anything about myself
How did you start modelling?
I started posing as a model thanks to Monica Irma Ricci. She had seen in me a vague resemblance to Valentina of Crepax. From there, not only have many opportunities opened up to me, but a great friendship has been born.
What do you think of the work as a model?
Thanks to this work you can give your body a voice turning it into art. When models, makeup artists and photographers come together, they can create with a single photo set, stories to tell, worlds and scenarios different from reality by touching the light and darkness with their hands. Our goal is to create something for which we can define unique and unforgettable. Versatility and creativity are the most important features for success.
What is your beauty regimen?
l my beauty regime? Recognizing one’s own worth, the courage to believe in oneself is the key to achieving true beauty.
What are your personal qualities which distinguish you from others?
A big heart, so big that you can see beauty in everything around me. Thanks to my soul I can enclose all my emotions: anger , hate, sadness, happiness... and then turn them into art behind a goal or with a brush in hand. Only through art can you touch new astral worlds. One of my great abilities? I can beam you up there
What are your plans for the future?
I have many plans for my future. Establishing myself both as a model and as a makeup artist. One of my biggest dreams is to work on tour for a theater or film company as a makeup artist. I would live by free spirit and visit places never seen! Continue with my art to convey positive messages to people both through a drawing and through a photo.
What are some of your favorite experiences so far?
In the field of photography I worked with many photographers including Monica Irma Ricci, Giacinto Malospiriti, Andrea Catena, Silvio Edmundo Corsi, Alessandro Gori and many others... With them I built various scenarios I went from identifying myself in Valentina Crepax to become an empress of the arcana major tarot, I dressed as Cleopatra and a nymph of the woods.
Do you have any advice for those who want to start modelling?
Of course! Being always humble unfortunately is a job that can create so much competition. In artistic works you never stop learning and experimenting, stealing with the eyes of models or photographers with more experience. Never be discouraged. If you have a dream in your heart there are various ways to achieve it! Never dwell on a single road. For the people who will take this path: "you will meet people who will make fun of you, who will promise you without keeping ! You will be subject to nonconstructive criticism... Fear not! Your dream is the most powerful weapon of all, protect it!. If you abandon him, you will have lost".
What do you think of the magazine?
I think it’s a great magazine and that gives the opportunity to lots of differents artists to be shared and speak about themselves and their work. It’s goo d for share different kind of art and inspire others!
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