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Beyond The Vanity: 7 Surprising Facts About Mary Beth Felts, The Makeup Artist Who Became A Soul Painter

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Mary Beth Felts is one of the most respected names in the Nashville beauty industry, a veteran hair and makeup artist whose work has defined the looks of country music's biggest stars for decades. As of late 2025, her career continues to evolve, moving beyond the high-stakes world of music videos and album covers into a deeply personal and expressive second act. This article, updated for the current date of December 20, 2025, explores the fascinating duality of Felts’ professional life, from her crucial role backstage with A-list celebrities like Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, to her recent, unexpected emergence as a passionate fine artist. Her journey shows that a creative career is never truly finished, but simply shifts its medium.

Mary Beth Felts: A Nashville Icon's Biography and Professional Timeline

Mary Beth Felts has built a formidable career primarily in the competitive Nashville, Tennessee market, specializing in providing hair and makeup services for high-profile clients in the entertainment and commercial sectors. Her portfolio spans a wide range of media, establishing her as a versatile and reliable artist.
  • Primary Occupation: Professional Hair and Makeup Artist.
  • Specialty Market: Country Music, Commercial, Print Advertising, Editorial, and TV Commercials.
  • Based In: Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Agency Representation: Zenobia Agency (Nashville).
  • Notable Clients (Makeup Artist): Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, and numerous other Billboard-charting artists.
  • Entrepreneurial Venture: Founder of EMBE Cosmetics.
  • Parallel Career: Expressive Painter (Self-described as "Soul Art").
  • Career Timeline Highlights:
    • 1998: Credited for makeup on Trisha Yearwood's album *Where Your Road Leads*.
    • 2000s–2010s: Continues work with major country artists, establishing a reputation for editorial and commercial excellence.
    • Mid-2010s: Begins painting at age 52 as a form of personal therapy and a new creative outlet.
    • 2020–2021: Credited for makeup on Garth Brooks’ recent albums, including *FUN* and *Time Traveler*, demonstrating her sustained role with the superstar couple.
    • 2025: Actively represented by Zenobia Agency and maintaining her personal art website, confirming her current dual-career status.

The Long-Standing Partnership with Country Music's Elite

Felts' work is deeply woven into the fabric of modern country music history. Her long-term relationships with artists demonstrate a level of trust and consistency rare in the celebrity world. She is not just a makeup artist; she is a key part of an artist's personal brand presentation.

Working with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood

Mary Beth Felts has been an essential member of the team for the power couple of country music, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, for over two decades. Her involvement dates back to the late 1990s, where she was credited on seminal albums. Her most recent album credits with Brooks, including the 2020 album *FUN* and the 2023 release *Time Traveler*, confirm her continued, active role in shaping their public image. This longevity is a testament to her skill in creating looks that are camera-ready for everything from televised appearances and major award shows to intimate album photography.

The EMBE Cosmetics Connection

Felts’ expertise extends beyond her chair and into her own entrepreneurial venture, EMBE Cosmetics. This move from service provider to product creator highlights her deep understanding of the beauty market and the specific needs of performers under harsh stage lights and high-definition cameras. One notable instance of her brand's impact was naming a lipstick shade after country music star Sara Evans. This cross-promotional effort solidified EMBE’s place within the Nashville celebrity ecosystem and showcased Felts’ ability to leverage her professional relationships.

7 Surprising Turns in Mary Beth Felts' Current Career

While her reputation as a top-tier makeup artist is secure, the most compelling and recent development in Mary Beth Felts' life is her emergence as a fine artist. This shift provides a unique perspective on her creative drive and personal journey.

1. The Unexpected Pivot to Painting at 52

Felts began painting relatively late in life, at the age of 52. This was not a planned career move but a deeply personal, therapeutic response to major life changes. She views her art as a form of "personal therapy," using the canvas to process emotions and experiences that had been "bottled up" for decades.

2. Her Art is Expressive "Soul Art"

Felts labels her artwork as "Soul Art," reflecting its non-conscious, sentiment-driven nature. Unlike the precise, client-focused work of a makeup artist, her painting is an act of spontaneous revelation, where she is often "surprised at what [she] see[s] revealed in front of me."

3. The Creative Duality of Precision vs. Expression

Her dual career represents a fascinating creative contrast. As a makeup artist, Felts must be meticulous, precise, and focused on executing a client's specific vision for a photoshoot or video. As a painter, she embraces the chaotic, expressive, and abstract, working often on two canvases simultaneously to allow the creative flow to dictate the outcome.

4. Martina McBride is Also a Notable Client

Adding to her country music pedigree, Felts' portfolio with the Zenobia Agency also prominently features work with the legendary Martina McBride. This further cements her topical authority as one of the most influential makeup artists in the genre.

5. Her Art Documents a Personal Journey

Felts' art website provides a candid look into the emotional triggers for her painting, mentioning themes like "Waiting for the divorce and all that it entails" and "waiting for the time it takes to begin a new career." This vulnerability adds significant depth to her public profile, moving her beyond a mere service provider.

6. Active Representation Confirms Ongoing Makeup Work

Despite her passion for painting, Felts remains an active professional makeup artist. Her continued representation by the Zenobia Agency in Nashville means she is still taking on new projects for print advertising, editorial shoots, and TV commercials, ensuring her influence in the commercial beauty world persists.

7. A Legacy of Longevity and Trust

The fact that Mary Beth Felts has maintained her role with artists like Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood for over 25 years speaks volumes. In an industry defined by fleeting trends and quick turnover, her consistent presence is a powerful indicator of her skill, professional demeanor, and the deep trust she has cultivated with some of the industry’s most private and powerful figures.

Mary Beth Felts and The Future of Creative Careers

Mary Beth Felts’ career path offers an inspiring model for creative professionals. Her story demonstrates that a successful career can have multiple, equally passionate chapters. She seamlessly transitions between the high-stakes precision of celebrity makeup and the deeply personal, expressive freedom of abstract painting. This unique combination of commercial expertise and fine art passion makes Mary Beth Felts a true Nashville creative icon. As she continues to paint and maintain her elite clientele, her work—whether on a famous face or a blank canvas—will undoubtedly continue to evolve and inspire.
mary beth felts makeup artist
mary beth felts makeup artist

Detail Author:

  • Name : Dr. Cristobal Nienow
  • Username : joan37
  • Email : cole.arlie@gmail.com
  • Birthdate : 1991-01-19
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