About The Artist

JANE MCKAY

Growing up in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains left M·A·C Senior Artist Jane McKay with a lifelong love of the great outdoors. “Take vacations,” she effuses, “do sports, dig your hands into nature and restore your body and spirit.” Green fingered as she might be, it hasn’t hampered her love of drama. From Tamara de Lempicka and David Bowie to Lady Gaga, McKay is a fan of theatre and uses makeup to evoke atmosphere. Her irrepressible spirit carried her from waiting tables to painting faces in front of 80 million people. Here she tells us more.

Early Learner

“When I was in grade three I won a Provincial School Award for an illustration. I always had a strong sense of colour and line, I am a visual learner. My mom told me that I insisted on picking out my own clothes and defining my own personal style from an early age. The 80s were my decade of experimentation. I had loads of artistic friends and traveled to NYC and Milan for two summers to do creative shoots for my portfolio, before relocating to Toronto.”

Phantom of the Oprah

“I find inspiration for my work everywhere: architecture, astronomy, the sun, the moon, science, food, friends, music, movies, theatre, sports, meditation…If I surround myself with artists and funny people, I’ll be inspired through osmosis. My husband is a Senior Art Director at an advertising agency, my son loves art (and is good at it) and there are many artists in my family tree. I’ve also met so many creative people through M·A·C. Some of my fondest memories are working on the M·A·C 21st Century Techno Rave Glam Tour at various markets. Not to mention the time I was on Oprah as a guest panel member for a makeover show. Over 80 million people tuned in!”

Easy does it

“In my opinion, most people wear too much foundation. If you need to cover up though, use M·A·C VIVA GLAM – fantastic colours and the proceeds go towards such a worthy cause! The best advice I can give is: try not to second guess yourself, learn to compromise and love what you do. If you stick to those rules, you will shine. Stay healthy. I personally love to snowboard, mountain bike, windsurf, swim and garden – sometimes with some yoga and Pilates thrown in. That really is the best beauty tip I can give!”