Mixed media artist - The CreativeMindClass Blog
"Let's start with the adjectives which best describe my work: strong, expressive and layered."
Claudia's family background
"My Name is Claudia Melchor, I am formally trained as an architect, but I've always had a love for art and 2D mediums ever since I could remember."
How did you transition the concept of architecture into mixed-media images?
"When it came time to choose the career path I was advised, like numerous others, to not go after a career in art. The advice was well-informed and I followed. Then I graduated with a Bachelor and Master degree in Architecture and being utterly bored of the work in behind the computer. In my time off after university, I started to create illustrations, paintings and other products that featured my design on them which made me feel happier!
The whole thing took off before I got a job at an office for architecture that I currently manage with my illustration work and ongoing studies in the field of art historical studies. I am hoping that I can quit the corporate architecture job in the near future and focus fully on what I enjoy doing and using mixed media techniques.
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I'm hoping my tale will aid those who are unsure of the best course of study. I hope it helps you realize that a degree in art is not important, you could be an artist from no background. The best thing is, this will make your art more unique. Naturally, attending an art school is a wonderful learning experience too!"
How would you describe the style of your illustrations?
"I think describing your own style is something extremely difficult. I had to ask my acquaintances about this and their descriptions of it could not be more exact. They said my art looks as if everything I paint appears moving like the wind is blowing through the artwork and dropping colors all the things it touches. There is no better description of my work than that.
I love layering textures as well as exploring a variety of colors. I'm an extremeist in this sense. The harder I try to restrict a color palette more, the greater the range of colors becomes.
When we take a look at some of my subject choices, my favorite things to draw are landscapes that feature mountains and oceans, since it is a reminder of my childhood home in Tenerife which is a small, charming island situated in the Atlantic ocean.
However, I also sketch human figures, with over-the-top features and vibrant skin. And of course, I always include any architectural aspect - "the architectural studies that I completed over the course of six years will be visible in my work."
What's the secret for creating mixed-media artwork?
"I consider that the secret in my art is not planning too much beforehand. It's fair to say that this technique sometimes works but it can also fail however, not worrying over the end result will allow you to play around with your painting.
I like seeing how I color and making decisions and changing my minds on my final work. It shows my relationship to the paper, to my environment, and also to the paint. You will see my process of decision-making in the finished piece.
I enjoy being able get my hands dirty and mix my own paints. All you require to be able to recreate my art is a lot of various materials (doesn't need to be anything extravagant, however I prefer mixing different media) and a loose hand, and the courage to mix paints and to start with a blank canvas."
You can find Claudia over Instagram, Instagram as well as on her website. Claudia is a talented instructor and teaches her talents online. The class she teaches Mixed Media Painting your home from childhood has already had more than 2k students.
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