Our community of artists is the core foundation of Artfinder. With such a vast community based in all corners of the world, we wanted to help them share more about their artist journey, their artistic process and technique and what inspires them. Today, we chat with one of our amazing oil painters, Marcela Montemayor.
Can you introduce yourself, where you are from and how long you have been with Artfinder for?
Hello, my name is Marcela Montemayor and I was born in Monterrey México, living and working here also where I studied my Bachelor in Visual arts and I've been part of the Artfinder community since August 2019.
In just a short sentence, how would you describe/summarise your work?
Bright, pop, playful and whimsical.
What influences you and your work?
Mainly contemporary pop art, realism painting and classical painting too.
What does your creative process involve?
My creative process involve searching for figures that refer me to childhood memories such as the balloons. I love taking lots of pictures of balloons that I like and then painting, always using the brightest colours.
Have you changed as an artist over time?
Of course, I think it is part of a creative mind to transform over time and experience, I have changed as in technique and the way of thinking about my work and art in general.
What’s your favourite artwork you created and why?
It's hard to choose a favourite but one of my favourites is called ''Purple candy bag'' a very old painting I made in 2012 when I just started my career as a professional painter and started to take painting more seriously too. This painting helped me to have confidence in myself because this painting sold to the other side of the world after I participated in an international painting contest where I became a finalist. This was the proof that I could do it, that is why it's one of my favourites, also ''Rocket'' made me feel the same way as "Purple candy bag", I think those paintings put me on ''the map''.
What do you think is the role of art/artists in society?
To boost creativity in all people, I think art helps to think ''outside the box'' to know more about what is on the mind of the artists and maybe why not? to inspire.
What advice do you have for emerging artists looking to make a living out of their art career?
I would recommend that they take their practice very seriously and to take advantage of every opportunity that they have ahead such as exhibitions, contests, publications, etc. This really helps artists to be seen.
Cover image via Marcela Montemayor
