Magazine for the professional nail industry.
Issue link: http://nailsmag.epubxp.com/i/190368
From the canvas Jae'tte BURNEO Cosi Fan Tutte Nail Lounge Laguna Beach, Calif. Jae'ette Burneo, owner of Cosi Fan Tutte Nail Lounge in Laguna Beach, Calif., is a nail tech-turnedartist who discovered her talent two years ago with a box of Crayola water color paints. "A friend of mine brought the paints over, so I just tried them out and I ended up creating this beautiful mermaid," says Burneo. "I was shocked it was turning out so well, so I thought I'd try more." She started painting faces, fairies, and fashion sketches. She describes her style as whimsical and considers Amy Brown, a popular fantasy artist, a big inspiration. "I'm similar to Amy Brown, but with more dramatic facial detail," says Burneo. "I get more into the eyes and face — it's the most important thing to me." Burneo has sold and given away quite a few of her paintings to different friends, family members, and fans who know about her work. Since tapping into this talent, she has also been reading books on art theory but tries not to be too formal about her craft. "I wouldn't say I know how to paint properly — I don't even know if I'm using the right paper or brushes, but it turns out great because I have a good eye and zero expectations," says Burneo. "I draw what I see and not what I think I see." And for translating her art onto nails, Burneo values learning through the Internet. "Social media is really the most amazing tool of all," she says. "I watch online tutorials, chime into different groups on Instagram, and look at hundreds of awesome nail designs daily." She recently hired nail artists (some she met through Instagram) with similar skills and interests. She now considers nail art both her specialty and the salon's focus. "I would say the salon really concentrates on marketing our nail art," says Burneo. "We've had 1,700% growth since January from nail art. It's awesome, addictive, and spreads by word of mouth like wildfire." She enjoys working with the clients, mainly ages 18 to 32, who enjoy nail art as a routine service rather than a special treat. "Because nails aren't permanent, people let you take risks and do fun, outlandish things," says Burneo. "They're up for anything!" While Burneo doesn't work with acrylics, she does incorporate some 3-D elements — like charms, beads, and glitter — into her nail art and uses both regular polish and gel-polish. 166 | NAILS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013 to the fingertips