We were lucky to catch up with Melinda Martinez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melinda, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

A year ago I decided I wanted to start painting furniture. I desperately wanted to see the furniture in my own home take on a new life. I’ve always been a creative at heart. My first love is stage performing in the Theater and I’ve always enjoyed small crafts. But painting furniture was a different ball game entirely because I knew nothing about the technical aspects of paint. I had a vision and I knew I could trust my instincts. The beauty of living in a social media driven world is that there are tons of resources available at our fingertips. The information was out there. I just had to go dig it up. So I did. I spent countless hours watching YouTube videos and reading through blogs to learn the in’s & out’s of paint as it pertained to application, curing time, ideal climate recommendations, blend methods, priming, sealing, etc. There was so much more to the craft than I had realized. Nevertheless, I persisted. I made a lot of mistakes. But I knew that in order to achieve my goals I couldn’t rely solely on my artistic vision. I had to learn how to properly execute paint application. I had some help along the way from other creatives in the field and that support is what kept me motivated and hungry for more. The risk involved in learning this new craft has paid off in so many ways for me. I paint from my heart and I paint what brings me joy. I do sell some of my completed pieces. But often times, in addition to paint, I find that I pour emotion into my work. So, my art becomes therapeutic in some ways and I like to hang on to some of my pieces for that reason.
I still find myself making mistakes from time to time but I count it all as growth.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I specialize in painting and up cycling furniture. I got into this field purely out of a desire to learn how to change up the aesthetic of furniture & decor in my own home. I have a knack for making something out of absolutely nothing. My favorite thing to do is to thrift furniture pieces that have been discarded from others who no longer saw a purpose in them. I work with various types of materials to include wood, veneer, metal, fabric, etc. I love incorporating color and texture in my designs as it is what fuels my passion. I recognize that my style may not be for everyone and that’s entirely okay. Breathing new life into a project is so fulfilling to me as I find it symbolic of the beauty of life in general.
What I am most proud of is that I listen to my instincts and I’m not afraid to jump way outside of my comfort zone. I am now a member of the Creative Team for Paint Couture Paint Company and it’s exciting to collaborate so closely with fellow artists and professionals within our industry. Every project I work on is a new opportunity to grow, not only as an artist, but as an individual as well.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

My small business is named after my family. We are a family of artists. Collectively, we all contribute to each-others passion through healthy and constructive criticism, listening to each other when we find ourselves blocked creatively, and being supremely supportive and encouraging. The most rewarding aspect of my creative journey is watching my children’s growth as they learn that art expression is not only a healthy outlet but also a meaningful one that should be celebrated.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

As a society, I find that the best way to support artists and creatives is to keep an open mind about why their work is being shared. Particularly, in the furniture painting field. There’s something for everyone, as we all have different tastes in home decor & furnishings. There are plenty of mass produced furniture companies out there. But the beauty of buying a piece from a furniture painter is that you could be acquiring a one of a kind piece and you’d be actively supporting an artists’ vision while contributing to the process of recycling goods to benefit our planet’s ecosystem.

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