Meet Melissa Meier | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Meier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, how do you think about risk?
To me, risk taking is everything in art – you can’t make art without taking risks. While risk taking is surely a way to innovate and evolve one’s work, I look at it as a way to express myself in the truest form possible. For without risk, I lose a critical sense of excitement and engagement.

Not being afraid to fail is the driver behind all that I do; failure is just part of the process. Discarding a piece after days of work, while painful, allows for growth and understanding of the material. And often with failure comes surprise.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am multidisciplinary artist that combines sculpture, collage, found objects and photography in my art. I was brought up in Brazil and studied at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. I started my career in New York City and have been doing art ever since. I’m constantly inspired by the beauty of the organic materials I use – the colors, textures, patterns and shapes – and it’s this sense of ‘naturalistic wonder’ that drives my creative process. Whether I’m working with grains of rice, stalks of lavender, or pine cones, I find each and every construction to be uniquely moving. It’s as if I become a part of the material, taking on a meditative state as I repurpose what is already incredibly beautiful in its own right. My goal is for my audience to take on this same sense of wonder as they look at familiar, natural objects in unfamiliar, natural ways.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to Bergamot Station, Getty Museum, LACMA, Santa Monica Beach/Pier, Universal Studios, Horseback riding near the Hollywood sign and El Matador Beach.

I would take them on a hike at Solstice Canyon, a hike up to Griffith Park or Temescal Canyon.

I would take them to eat at Geoffrey’s Malibu, Paradise Cove, or any restaurants on Montana Ave.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I think my husband – Fred Macdonald deserves credit.

Website: www.melissameierart.com

Instagram: @melissameierart