"I aspire to create art that makes people ponder.” – Melissa Gonzalez-Lopez
Today's #inspirations4aspirations interview is with ceramist, screen printer and artist Melissa Gonzalez-Lopez (@meli_gonzalez_art).
Originally from Cuba, Melissa has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Florida State University. She has worked in a variety of mediums including ceramics, photography, book making, painting, printmaking and more. She co-founded the cuban and queer owned business, Tally Print Studio, with Amy Alonso.
Melissa is one of my favorite people ever. We started as colleagues but after nearly three years she is one of my closest friends. We can talk for literally hours.
I am eternally grateful to her. When I faced a setback in my life, she kept me creative by proposing a collaborative trade-off art exhibit project which has spawned 12+ pieces (technically still ongoing lol) of different mediums and techniques. I also joined the board of directors of Tally Print Studio where I help organize the monthly markets and sometimes teach workshops.
This marks the fifth or 143rd time I've illustrated Melissa (who's counting?). So I wanted to do something different. I collaged different textures based on her various interests: math, cut paper, cuba, wet/dried/fired clay, etc. Her hair and apron are based on cups she made recently. The background is a picture of dried clay on a plastic bag (with minor gradients).
The typography is based on a 1923 Bauhaus Portfolio by Lyonel Feininger. I thought the experimental and playful type fit Melissa's personality.
So many adventures await my friend very soon. I'm SO glad to have been part of her story and to celebrate here one of those who inspires me.
1) Why do you create?
When I started making art in my mid-teens, I relied on it as a means of catharsis. As I continued my journey honing my skills, learning new art forms and interacting with other artists, I realized that making art brought me comfort and joy like nothing else.
It has become a vital part of my life, even though as a child I never thought I’d be an artist.
2) When life gets you down, what inspires you to get back up?
Learning new things, arts or science-related, always gives me the strength to get going again.
It turns my gears and brings me out of the downward spiral of doom.
3) Do you think creativity can be taught or is it genetic?
It could be both or either.
I believe everyone is creative in some aspect of life.
4) Do you think a ceramic vessel, scripture, or art piece can be infused with a memory or emotion?
The answer for sure is yes.
I feel like a part of the artist can be encapsulated in the art piece while it’s being made. I feel like you can make a piece have a personality or represent an emotion. But someone else might not see it.
Many thanks to my inspiration and aspiration, Melissa Gonzalez-Lopez. I’m John Lhotka, wishing you a nice day, and all that jazz.