Mixed media artist - The CreativeMindClass Blog
"Let's begin with the words that best describe my work: powerful creative, expressive and multi-layered."
Claudia's background
"My Name"is Claudia Melchor, I am officially trained as an architect, but I have had a passion in painting and 2D media since I could recall."
How did you transition the concept of architecture into mixed-media images?
"When the moment came to decide on a career I was also advised by numerous others, to not take up a career in the arts. And I listened. After completing a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Architecture and being utterly dissatisfied with my work behind the computer. Then , during my gap year after university, I started to create illustrations, paintings and other products that featured my design on them and I've never been happier!
It all took off right before I got a job in an architectural office which I now juggle with my illustration career and my ongoing studies in the field of art historical studies. I am hoping that I can quit the position of corporate architect soon enough and concentrate fully on my passion for art-making and using mixed media techniques.
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I'm hoping that my experience will help those who are unsure of which subject to pursue to understand that a degree in art isn't important. You are an artist regardless of no background. The best part is that this can give your work a distinctive look. Naturally, attending an art college will be an amazing learning experience too!"
How would you describe your illustration style?
"I think describing your own style is something extremely difficult. I asked my buddies about this, and how they described it could not be more exact. The way they described my work is like everything I paint is moving like the wind can be seen blowing over the painting , and then dropping colors on everything it touches. It's impossible to find a more appropriate way of describing my work than that.
I love layering textures as well as mixing a wide range of colors, I am the ultimateist in this regard. The more difficult I attempt to limit a palette of colors and the more expansive the color range gets.
When we take a look at some of my topic choices, my favorite things to paint are landscapes with mountains and the ocean, since it is a reminder of my hometown Tenerife which is a small, charming island in the middle of the Atlantic ocean.
In addition, I sketch human figures, that have exaggerated features as well as vibrant skin. And of course, I always include an architectural component - those architectural studies that I completed over the course of six years have to show up somewhere."
What are the most important factors for creating mixed-media artwork?
"I consider that the secret to making my art is not to plan excessively in advance. In reality, this technique sometimes works but it can also fail, but not worrying over the end result really gives you the freedom to play around with your painting.
I like seeing how I color and making decisions and changing my minds on my final work. The work reveals my connection to the paper, my context, and to the paint. You can trace my decision-making process on the final result.
I like being able to work with my hands to mix my own paints. All you require to be able to recreate my artwork is a variety of different substances (doesn't require anything expensive, but I prefer mixing different media), a very loose hand, and the courage to apply paint layers and begin from scratch."
You can find Claudia her Instagram as well as on her website. Claudia is a creative educator and shares her expertise online. Her Mixed Media class: Paint your childhood home was attended by more than two thousand students.
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