Meet Yvonne Mecialis of TORRANCE

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yvonne Mecialis.

Hi Yvonne, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always had a love for art, and I had a talent for drawing at an early age. I remember drawing Mickey Mouse in Kindergarten! When I was in 6th grade, my mother enrolled me in a private oil painting class. I learned about composition, color, and blending and mixing paint. From there, I was self-taught through high school, and I decided to continue with my art education in college. I received a BFA degree from CSU Long Beach, with Illustration being my primary focus. I’ve always loved Sci-Fi and Fantasy art, so that is what I did primarily. The first few years out of college, I looked for any art-related job I could get. I was doing illustrations for motorcycle magazines, and even free publications, to get my foot in the door and get recognition for my work. One thing led to another, and I was invited to show my art at local motorcycle shows, and that’s where I got noticed by the editor of “EASYRIDER” magazine. It was great exposure for me! From there, I started doing custom airbrush work on motorcycles, and helmets. Word of mouth about my work spread, and I began working at more custom paint shops, and I worked on cars, boats, helicopters, guitars, and lots of other things that people wanted artwork on. My sci-fi art also got published in various magazines, and one of my paintings, “Queen of the Stars” was used as cover art in the fall 2004 issue of “HEAVY METAL” magazine. In 2004, I was at the SEMA automotive trade show in Los Vegas, where I was noticed by the producer of the automotive reality shows, “OVERHAULIN'”, and “RIDES.” He asked me to do a painting-related show with famous custom painter and artist, Mike Lavallee. We each were given a Pontiac G 6 to paint any way we wanted. It was sort of a competition, and neither of us knew what design the other was creating. In the final scene of the show, both cars were displayed on Venice Beach, and that was the first time we both got to see each other’s work. It was an incredible experience, not-to-mention, it was great exposure for me!! I got a lot of recognition for that TV show, and that led to more job opportunities. I also continued to work on my paintings, and I applied the knowledge I acquired from painting with urethane on metal, to my own art. Besides painting on paper, board or canvas, I also enjoy airbrush painting on metal panels, and Masonite. In 2018, I was asked to participate in a mural project for the Lions Automobilia Foundation and Museum, in Rancho Dominguez. The Museum’s owner, Rick Lorenzen, wanted to create a tribute to the Lions Drag Strip, which was located nearby, but is no longer there This was the largest project I was ever involved with! The walls were 20 feet high, and over 50 feet long, in some places! And there were lots of walls to paint! I drove a scissor lift, to access the highest points. I worked along with a couple other artists including automotive artist, Kenny Youngblood. The recognition I received from that project led me to do more mural work for other clients, including wall murals for private car collections. Over the years, I’ve had my work on display in group gallery shows in Venice, California, and in Chicago. I was recently interviewed on the YouTube show, “STORIES-N-STEEL.” I continue creating my own work, which I sell on the Fine Art America website. It’s a thrill for me to do what I love, and to have people enjoy and appreciate my work!! I think that is the goal of every artist.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In the beginning, the biggest struggle is getting the work. Finding work as an artist isn’t always easy, and sometimes, you take on jobs that aren’t exactly what you want. But it’s like taking each step on a ladder. Each step leads to another, and as you continue up, you get closer to your goal.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am known most for being an automotive artist and custom airbrush painter. I am most known for the mural work I did at the Lions Drag Strip Museum in 2023, and for the TV show appearance I did on the automotive reality show, “RIDES” in 2005. I got recognition in the custom painting world, not just because of the quality of my work, but because I was one of very few women in the business.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I always knew that a career as an artist would be challenging, and not always an easy one, but I always had faith in myself, and I never gave up! I hate to see people get discouraged from pursuing their dreams, just because opportunities didn’t present themselves right away. It does take time, and often, opportunities come when you least expect them!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yvonnedesigns.com
• Facebook: Yvonne Mecialis

Image Credits
Photos: Yvonne Mecialis