In addition to being a makeup and effects artist, Joel Harlow is also a painter, jewelry designer, and fine art sculptor. He has won two EMMY Awards as well as having his work featured in art galleries, and numerous books and magazines.

Joel credits the original “King Kong” as giving him the inspiration needed to create his first art piece. The film also inspired what would become a life long fascination with the fantastic. Says Joel; “I enjoy experiencing art of all kinds, and surrounding myself with other peoples work. The boost of creativity I get from seeing people create is the fuel I use to drive my own creativity.”

In 1986, Joel attended the New York School of Visual Arts with a focus on animation. “When I went to school, there weren’t many makeup or makeup effects courses out there. These days, beginning makeup artists can readily find a school. However, in New York during the eighties, they really didn’t exist. So I chose animation as my major, more by default than by choice.”

It was in Manhattan where Joel was introduced to the world of lowbudget filmmaking. During the course of his education, Joel began moonlighting from his studies to work on several low budget horror films, which since have become underground cult classics. Creating under the most trying of conditions gave him a crash course in all aspects of special effects, from makeup and pre-production design to the all-important art of creative economics.

Ultimately, Joel left SVA to pursue a career in film. Starting in the low budget world and ultimately working his way into more mainstream features. “When I first started my career, it was in the makeup effects studios in L.A. I found myself building makeups and effects to be passed off to the union artists on set to apply. Once I joined the union, the roles were reversed and I was receiving makeups from the shops. Now, it has come full circle and I am in the position of creating and executing my own work”.

In 2001, Joel formed the company HARLOW FX, which has since evolved into JOEL HARLOW DESIGNS. “My initial makeup effects company was designed in the tradition of the studios I had worked for early in my career. This ultimately proved ineffective for a new company in a market that was oversaturated. A multitude of studios were competing for the same makeup effects films, which hadn’t turned to computer graphics to handle their workload. What JHD did was offer production companies quality and experience under their roof. It is an old idea that has come full circle.”

“Ultimately, any crew is only as good as the artists that comprise it. The key to maintaining a successful track record is to realize this. Keep your focus on the work and share the credit.”

Joel has recently run several shows in this fashion. “Keeping the makeup department under the same roof as the makeup effects department allows us to cross seamlessly between the two, eliminating any surprises that might compromise either department.”

His credit list is extensive, including Dracula, A.I., Pirates of the Caribbean 1, 2, and 3, Angels and Demons, Alice in Wonderland, J.J. Abrams’ STAR TREK, The Rum Diary, Inception, Battle: Los Angeles, and most recently The Green Lantern and The Tourist with Johnny Depp.

“As an artist, I try to make everything I do the best that I am able. But regardless of how exacting I am on myself when sculpting an appliance makeup, it is only one part of the final equation. For Star Trek, I relied heavily on my colleagues to complete that equation. I owe a big debt of gratitude to all the artists who participated in bringing our collective vision to the screen. Thank You.”