One to Watch
Mexican artist Marcela Montemayor’s cheerfully nostalgic work function brightly coloured artifacts of Mexcio’s tradition and communities. Her work is held in personal collections internationally and has been featured within the Saatchi Artwork print catalog. Maintain studying to study extra concerning the inspiration behind her joyful art work.
Inform us about who you might be and what you do. What’s your background?
My identify is Marcela Montemayor, and I’ve been an expert painter since 2012. I obtained my Bachelor’s diploma in Visible Arts on the Autonomous College of Nuevo Leon in my hometown, Monterrey, México. At first, I used to be extra all for drawing, however then, after some lessons, I began taking portray extra severely shortly earlier than graduating. For the subsequent few years, I used to be an artwork instructor for youngsters. This allowed me to mix my work as a instructor with my very own inventive observe.
What does your work goal to say? What are the most important themes you pursue in your work?
I made my first ever portray (“Purple Sweet Bag,” 2012) as a result of, in Mexico, we’ve the custom of giving out sweet luggage on the finish of kids’s birthday events. I had one of many purple sweet luggage at residence and immediately determined that it will be enjoyable to color due to its that means and its vivid colours. I noticed I’d like to immortalize that joyful second by the wrappers or the balloons used within the celebrations. That’s what I like to do.
Are you able to stroll us by your course of for creating a piece from starting to finish?
At first, I search for figures that appeal to me, comparable to balloons and wrappers, which seize my consideration resulting from their shapes, colours, and textures. I really like exploring completely different views. Though in most of my work the objects are dealing with the entrance, I take a number of pictures from completely different angles. This course of permits me to higher recognize the main points and resolve which of the photographs will likely be chosen to take to the canvas. As soon as I choose the successful picture, I start rigorously drawing the strains on the canvas. It is a elementary step because it establishes the premise of my work.
Subsequent, I begin with the underpainting, the primary layer of paint that’s essential to visualizing what the completed piece will seem like. This primary contact with burnt brown and sienna colours helps me outline the overall environment of the work. After the underpainting dries, I spend a variety of time on the second layer. My work depend on particulars, and I’ve to color with very small brushes and be very thorough and cautious, that means a portray might take me a number of weeks and even months to complete. It’s on this second layer the place I actually have enjoyable. I typically select to magnify the colours, in search of to make the portray extra vigorous. I need every stroke to transmit power, immersing the viewer on the planet I’ve created. Each resolution I make throughout this course of is a chance to precise my inventive imaginative and prescient and produce my concepts to life.
How does your work touch upon present social and political points?
I feel artwork is a approach to shield a tradition’s id and values. The objects I paint could appear easy, however they’re highly effective symbols of on a regular basis life and the traditions that unite us as a society.
In Mexico, for instance, the custom of giving luggage of sweet on the finish of kids’s events just isn’t solely a gesture of courtesy but in addition a manifestation of our tradition and a mirrored image of the values we share. By immortalizing these moments by portray, I’m displaying part of our cultural id. Moreover, by creating a sense of familiarity and nostalgia within the viewer, I invite everybody to mirror on their very own reminiscences and feelings. This introspection has a transformative energy because it connects us with our roots and with the shared experiences that outline us as a neighborhood. It’s on this connection that the essence of politics lies: the seek for widespread floor, mutual understanding, and a future wherein our traditions and values are revered and saved alive.
How do you hope viewers reply to your works? What would you like them to really feel?
My intention is for viewers of my works to expertise a sense of familiarity and nostalgia that evokes nice reminiscences and moments of enjoyable.
Who’re your greatest influences, and why?
Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, and Wayne Thiebaud, particularly his meals work. I actually love the playful pastel colours in his works.
In case you couldn’t be an artist, what would you do?
If I wasn’t an artist, I’d be a pastry chef.
In case you might solely have one piece of artwork in your life, what would it not be?
Nighthawks by Edward Hopper.
