Today we’d like to introduce you to Mel Depaz.
Mel, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I’m an artist from Compton, CA. As a kid I always doodled on my class assignments or really any sheet of paper lying around. At the age of 10, my dad asked his friend Julio who was an art teacher in El Salvador to teach me and my brother how to draw and paint. We made a few drawings and two paintings. That was the first time I had a glimpse of the fundamentals of art.
In six grade I took an art class and usually after every assignment my teacher would point out my work and ask who made it. That’s when I realized I had some sort of skill. In high school, I took an art class my junior year, my teacher noticed I was more dedicated to finish my assignments than most, so he recommended I signed up for an art program called Ryman Arts. At this program, I was given free art supplies and college level art lessons at Otis College of Art and Design. I did this program for two semesters which consisted of me going every Sunday for a year.
After graduating high school, I kept lying to myself that art was just a hobby and I needed to get a career that offered financial stability. Notice how I said “get a career” because I was just planning to get some random career with a good income but really I want to pursue a career that made me excited everyday to learn more and master it. I went to community college to save money meanwhile I decided what I wanted to do. Every semester I enrolled in a different art class because they were the only classes that made me excited for school. After looking over my transcripts and all the art classes I’d taken it was a slap on my face of the reality of who I am. I needed to stop lying to myself and do what i love to do. Making art is not just a hobby. It’s part of my identity to make art and create. I wouldn’t be me without creating.
I’m currently not enrolled in school. I decided to take a break to use this time before applying to transfer for a bachelor’s degree to expose my art and to intern. School has taught me the fundamentals now I need to apply and gain some experience in my career. During my last semester I spent more time doing research online than I did asking my professors questions. Online I’m studying new techniques/mediums, the business of art and digital marketing. Not many art schools teach you the business side to make a living as a freelancer which is what I want to do.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I draw, paint, make merch and am learning to use cans and exterior paint to get out and make art on walls.
Studying the upbringing of artist and art history I observed many artist are strongly connected to their roots and culture. My parents are Central American and didn’t raise me or my siblings with a strong sense of pride or strong roots. I’m also fairly light skinned so my skin color wasn’t a topic I wanted to celebrate either. I believe the lack of culture and strong roots almost paralyzed me when it came to producing work because I want to be much more than just nice color and technique. I wanted to make art about where I come from and what people in my environment go through.
I live in Compton and have never lived anywhere else. A Latina born and raised in Compton is my roots. Once i realized this I began to feel grounded. Einstein said, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” I continuously hear this quote in my head when I think of making art in Compton. As an artist I want to build a better community and beautify the city with art. The city doesn’t have many murals, art related events or really much pride. The first step towards making art of Compton was making Compton T-shirts. I sketched out the cities landmarks and right beside it “Compton” in its notorious Old English Font. My shirts are designed for people like me that just mind their own business and for the OG’s.. My shirts got a lot of noise and gave me some recognition in the city. I started making T-shirt designs for the high schools. I made a painting for a local coffee shop called Patria Coffee. I just recently was given the opportunity to design a play area for the kindergarten kids at ISANA Archenar Charter School. Now I’m in the process of painting a couple of murals in Compton.
I want to restore pride in the city, make art, spread love and be an inspirational story to a someone who needs some hope where they come from.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
Yes! You’re lonely as an artist because you need tons of alone time to create work. When you’re alone creating you’re in tune with your energy and ideas. Some people can work just as fine surrounded with people. I’m not one of those. You’re also not going to run into many people that do what you do. There is no pathed road on how to succeed as an artist today. You have to create that formula yourself and that’s why it’s a lonely road. Take up every opportunity offered to you so you can gain experience and know what’s exactly you want to do.
I’d recommend using Instagram as a tool for scavenging for local art shows. Find out who’s a local working artist and work your way up to approaching them. Keep up with them on Instagram and eventually ask how they got into a show and how you could show in upcoming shows. You just have to show up. Showing up in the first step.
To find the right artist to network with consists of a good amount of lurking on social media LOL.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can see my work and future projects on Instagram. That’s my main platform. However, in the future I plan to make videos for YouTube so I can document footage of future community projects.
You can purchase my work at meldepaz.bigcartel.com or simply show support on Instagram.
Thanks in advance if you do! 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: Meldepaz.com
- Phone: 3102134271
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Meldepaz
Image Credit:
Dinoraslens
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
