Melanie Farris is an Art of Austin artist!
Melanie Farris
AoA – How long have you been an Austin based artist and how did you find your way here?
Melanie – I moved to Austin in 2015 after living in Fort Worth for a few years. I grew up in northeast Texas near Tyler and always had my eye on Austin as a safe haven.
AoA – When did you realize that you were an artist?
Melanie – I first picked up a paint brush in 2014 to play around. It wasn’t until 2018 where I became completely obsessed and found myself on a journey to find my own unique style. When I was a part of my first show in spring of 2018, I began to feel like I was actually an artist.
AoA – Can you speak to your art training?
Melanie – I’m a self taught artist. I have found a lot of joy in being able to teach myself this craft. With the help of youtube and speaking with artists about their techniques, I’ve been able to figure it out step by step. I’m always learning!
AoA – Where do you find inspiration?
Melanie – My most inspirational moments come during and after deeply personal, transcendental experiences. There’s something about connecting with the collective unconscious that drives everything I create. I strive to create a still shot of a brief moment, so others are able to connect with it on a level they may not even understand. Those special moments are rare and few. In the meantime, I draw inspiration from geometric patterns and colors found throughout nature and the cosmos.
AoA – What are your preferred medium(s)?
Melanie – I work with acrylic paints on canvas or wood panels. Every now and then I will dabble in spray paint.
AoA – Do you have any feelings towards Digital Art versus traditional mediums?
Melanie – I admire folks who have found ways to express themselves digitally, but it is not my cup of tea. I am purely analog driven. Give me a ruler and a compass and I’m happy as can be!
AoA – Who are some artists that you look to?
Melanie – Victor Vasarely is my favorite! I also really love work from Glenn Thomson, Jake Amason, Illdes, Andy Gilmore, Alex and Allyson Grey, and Zach Jackson. Just to name a few.
AoA – If you could own 1 piece from a living artist, who would it be?
Melanie – It would have to be a painting by Allyson Grey. A collab with her and her husband, Alex Grey would be a dream though!
AoA – Big question. What do you feel the role of art is in the world?
Melanie – That is a BIG question and I feel the answer can vary greatly depending on the style of art we are talking about. The style of art that touches me the most is visionary artwork. This is important work done by the artists who are dedicated to raising the vibration of the planet. This style of work transcribes the evolution of the collective consciousness of our species. This art seems to be able to resonate with people in ways they can’t explain, or identify. It can invoke contemplation about our purpose on this plane and beyond.
It’s important for us to take time and contemplate big picture questions. We can’t have all the answers, but allowing your mind to expand beyond the tangible is important for overall growth. There has been a big shift in the art world in the last decade and this community is finally beginning to get some of the recognition it deserves.
AoA – What else do you enjoy besides making art?
Melanie – I spend a lot of time doing yoga and pilates. I really like to cook and spend time with my husband and pups. I really enjoyed going to concerts and stand up comedy events before covid happened.
AoA – We almost hate to ask because that’s all we hear about these days, but how have you had to adapt as an artist to the current Covid-19 pandemic? Where can we currently find your work?
Melanie – Like many, I had a lot of events planned for 2020 but everything was cancelled. Those events would have taken away a lot of studio time, so being the hermit that I am, I was kind of okay with getting all of that time back to create. Although the stress of the world has taken some of my attention, there have been times where I did not feel motivated to paint but I am learning to adjust and find ways to relieve that stress.
I recently had the opportunity to paint a mural at Barbara Jordan Elementary School on the northeast side of Austin. The mural is on two walls at the front of the school. The design process was a collaboration between Sade Lawson and myself. We combined our styles to give the school some color and pay tribute to Barbara Jordan and Gus Garcia. I painted the geometric rainbow and Sade painted the portraits. I was able to do a lot of painting during the first week of kids being back in the classroom and to hear their thoughts on the murals was extremely heartwarming. I’m very thankful for the opportunity and experience.
I was recently invited to show some new work at CONTRA/COMMON, in Bee Cave, during the Austin Studio Tour. So you will be able to find my work there during the month of November.
AoA – Any final advice for all the artists reading out there?
Melanie – Just keep going! If you feel like you haven’t found your style, keep exploring. If you feel like you haven’t gotten the recognition you deserve, keep putting yourself out there. If you feel insecure about the quality of your work, keep practicing so you can fine tune your craft. Being an artist is not a destination, it’s a journey. The more you create, the more you grow. The world needs YOUR art!
Connect with Melanie!