Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Oliva
Hi Melanie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It’s been a non-linear journey going from a child with aspirations of being an artist, to Creative Director, then to fine artist and activist, and finally to teaching artist, but I feel like I’m finally where I need to be.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It can be a struggle to find your way as a creative. I had a creative job for a long time that I excelled in and did well with financially, which sounds like a dream, but it wasn’t fulfilling and left me little time and energy to do the creative work that I loved and felt good about.
Once I left the advertising industry, I discovered that my vision of supporting myself as a fine artist in this economy was unrealistic. This was a tough pill to swallow. I tried several avenues after that including freelance writing, social media marketing and teaching. I learned that teaching art is my forte and is something I’m excited to do every day I wake up!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m currently an artist, activist and art instructor in Miami. I occasionally do design and creative direction for non-profits whose missions focus on social or environmental justice.
My “After-image” series of paintings forewarns that the beauty of our world may someday only survive as an after-image — the image you see under your eyelids after staring at something bright — if we do not act to protect it.
In addition to painting and graphic design, I teach private portfolio preparation lessons to middle school students applying to art magnet high schools, and art to teens for the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami and The Frank Gallery. So far, all of my students have been accepted into their schools, which means I have a 100% rate of acceptance! I’m very proud of that, and of my amazing students.
I’m also proud of diving headfirst into activism in 2015 and giving it my all for many years — through community building and organizing, art activations, paintings, graphic design, kinetic protest art and policy change.
Lately I’ve been focusing on animal rescue and the rewarding feeling I get from knowing I made difference in one animal’s life is indescribable!
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
One of the most supportive things friends or followers can do is share my work on social media (with credit), which I appreciate more than they know! Other ways are to buy my work, commission me for a painting or take art lessons from me in person or virtually.
I also love collaborating with other reliable, communicative creatives who are on a mission to make a difference!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://melanieoliva.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/melanieolivaartist
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/melanieolivaartist
- Other: https://pixels.com/profiles/melanie-oliva
