Wonder Woman: PJ Brown
The Wonder Women is a blog series that spotlight some of the most badass women I know. Women that have the courage and drive to live and work relentlessly within their passion. Each blog is written by a different Wonder Woman and will give you an opportunity to be inspired and connect with incredible women who are movin’ and shakin’, helping and healing. Enjoy!
This week’s Wonder Woman is Philadelphia based make-up artist, podcaster, musician and artist, the inimitable PJ Brown. PJ is true artist in all that she does. You can find her weekly on the podcast, Beauty Reform School, where along with sharing awesome tips and tricks of an experienced make-up artist , she goes deep and explores the bigger ideas around beauty. And when the world opens back up, check her out performing with her band, PJ Brown & Her Resistance.
When I asked to contribute this piece, I was deeply tempted to say that everything was wonderful. I was deeply tempted to come up with some wonderful antidote about how I’ve risen above it all and I’m on the fast track to creating something fabulous to show this pandemic what’s what. But that wouldn’t be me. Instead, I shall tell the truth: I am struggling, and it is taking every fiber of my being to simply get one task done, let alone move onto the next. But the thing that has sustained me most of all has been my podcast (Beauty Reform School Podcast) and my music family (PJ Brown & Her Resistance). Were it not for them, I would just pull the blanket over my head and wait for all of this to be over. And I think that honesty in and of itself is where the magic lies.
Sure, we all have things that make us special; but refusing to acknowledge the low points is a missed opportunity. The hard times, pains, and tragedies are fuel; it’s what you put in the tank to propel you forward during the times you feel incredible. During the lows, you store knowledge and temperance. It’s easy when you’re feeling your best to set the world on fire - what takes true strength is fanning the embers when you’re not. And that’s why I created the podcast; a place where you can go to learn about beauty, listen to the stories of people from all walks of life, and discover the through lines from living to beauty positivity and self-care. I’m happy to report that I’m on my second season now, and even on my darkest days, it lights the way.
My band and I were all poised to go into the studio right before the lockdown happened, and it pains me that my energy is low and I struggle to create in this bubble. But they have been loving and kind and most of all patient with me. I look forward to recording with them again and I’m excited for what we will bring to the table when we are able to perform in a venue again.
A lot of people like to think of problem-solving in the positive; they like to use the light to blind them from the pain they fear is waiting for them. But in this lonely, quiet time, I have found clarity. While some have been cleaning out their attics literally, I have been cleaning mine out mentally. And it’s been filthy work. But that’s good. When I was painting, my favorite thing was feeling free enough to make a mess. What comes out on the other side is where the real beauty is. And I wore my paint spatters like badges. Believe me when I tell you - the effort is so worth it.