Melanie Muniz Exhibit at Corner Gallery in Ukiah

article by Ukiah Daily Journal

…but her work at the Ukiah Farmers Market inspired gallery member and photographer Elliott Little to take notice and invite her to exhibit her art at the gallery.

Melanie is currently attending Mendocino College with plans to transfer to Sonoma State University to pursue a BA in Child Development and Teaching…a long way from a career in the arts. However, she explains: “Art was something I loved to do from a very young age. As a baby I found things to draw and loved creating things from doodles to intricate drawings and objects as I grew up. Being creative is a trait that I feel has been a part of my personality for some time. At home and at the kindergarten I attended and later worked, arts and crafts was my favorite activity. I think I improved my skills that way because I never took art classes until my senior year in high school.”

Melanie’s love of children, as well as her years working in daycares and preschools, have definitely influenced her art. When asked what influences her as an artist, she says, “I like to be inspired by the things I see around me. When I work with children, I tend to see a lot of color and creativity that my pieces represent, as they all have an abundance of color. Before working with children, I used the internet to find inspiration, such as YouTube or Pinterest, where I learned to make things like paper flowers, clay figures and jewelry. When I’m in a creative rut, I sometimes turn to the internet for ideas.”

Creativity is an attribute that Melanie doesn’t seem to lack often. She continues: “I realized that in the five years I’ve been working in a nursery school, I’ve never had a day off. I love taking care of children and teaching them new things that they can take with them into their future lives. It’s a passion, like art, and I continue to find ways to incorporate my creativity into my teaching.”

Melanie’s creative abilities are reflected in her ability to use a wide variety of media.

She explains, “I don’t really have a favorite medium. I just use things that look like what I visualized. Before painting, I mostly sketched and created objects with things like twine, wood, tissue paper, and anything else I could find around the house. About two years ago, my grandmother lent me a huge bag full of acrylic paint, which I’ve been using ever since for all my paintings. I’m still new to painting so I’d like to experiment with things like gouache, oil paints and sprays.’

This young artist also has a passion for creating joy and sharing it. In her words, “In whatever field I choose, I know I want to pursue a career where I can help people and make a difference in some way. Because of this, I found ways to turn my hobbies into something I could share, whether it was teaching kids or creating something for a friend. I hope others will find ways to do the same.”

Yet, despite her positivity, Melanie has doubts…which make for introspection and soul-searching. She admits, “I think a lot of artists will tell you they don’t like any of their work, and I’m no exception. Although I love to draw and others seem to like my art, I’m never completely satisfied with the end result. I think using a lot of color is a way to enjoy my paintings because I love vibrancy. I can’t say I have a favorite piece in my show, but each one comes from the heart and I’m glad I took the time to bring my ideas to life for someone else to enjoy.”

Melanie’s First Friday Show Opening Celebration is August 5th from 5-8pm at the Corner Gallery (201 S. State St.) in Ukiah. Live music will be provided by Steve Winkle.