We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melissa Reyes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melissa below.
Melissa , thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Just by showing up! I’m always making time to create, sometimes without any specific purpose – just for fun! I love learning new techniques, new creative processes and experimenting with new mediums. It may sound obvious, but practice is essential for creativity.
When I feel blocked, I grab some art materials and paint or play with textures and patterns. I lay all my energy and emotions on the paper; the more I create the more creative I feel. Working on different projects or artworks simultaneously works wonders for me too… I think the adrenaline of it gives me life! Of course, not every idea I get or every artwork I make is fantastic, but sometimes that “failed” creation takes me to the right one!
Creativity is just having fun and I love to have fun!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am an artist, maker, kids’ art teacher and general life enthusiast! My creative gene has influenced me since I was a little girl. There’s always a constant desire and need to create things to beautify my surroundings. So art has always been part of my life. I consider my work and everything I do a unique expression of color, joy, bliss and personality. In 2009 I began creating handcrafted handbags as part of a healing process. That’s when Stella Di Mari, my handbags brand, was born…I like to think of my bags as wearable art!
I combined my passion for painting and patterns, developing original textiles for my bags. I start my process by creating colorful, saturated and bold layers on my canvases. Then those backgrounds/patterns are digitized and converted into beautiful, original textiles. I also create cool stickers, colorful archival prints and much more with those patterns! I aim to produce one-of-a-kind textiles and handcrafted bags for the creative person who dares to be different! Stay tuned for my new summer collection!
As an artist, I get inspired by nature and my Caribbean roots. I see the world as a wonderful place brimming with color and light and then translate this joyful optimism into art with cheerful colors, organic shapes, splatters, and playful movement. To know my work is to know me. I just want to create happy art that is bright, bold, honest, and with a lot of soul!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I would say that being overly optimistic, dedicated and curious has helped me throughout my art journey. I always show up, I’m always learning, constantly trying to improve, in tune with my emotions, and advocating for creativity and expression. If I gave someone advice, it would be not letting fear get in the way, not letting society tell them what art is and what it should look like. Do not compare your journey to others. Focus on your path, push past your comfort zone, put yourself out there, collaborate with like-minded artists, strive for higher potential and don’t be afraid to fail. I know it sounds cliché, but enjoy the process!
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Believing in myself! Since I started betting on myself, I started growing as an artist, doors began opening, and I started accomplishing so many goals. Putting myself out there has been critical to my journey. This year I made one of my bigger dreams a reality, teaching a semi-private art class to little kids in my home studio. Little did I know, this new project was going to fulfill my soul and creativity in so many ways. Kids see the world differently, and being able to give them the tools, knowledge and freedom to create has been one of the greatest experiences ever!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.melreyes.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/melreyesart
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/stelladimaribags
Image Credits
Photography: Mi Disparate Design
