Mariel, a Mexican-American artist, has traveled a fascinating and unique path in the world of art. From her early childhood sketches, her passion for creation has been a constant in her life. These initial artistic impulses have not only been a form of self-communication but have also paved the way for her ability to connect with others through her work. Mariel's unique style soon caught the attention of important organizations such as the Global Gender Office of the United Nations and the Feminisk Task Force in New York. These initial collaborations were fundamental for Mariel to approach her artistic vision of conveying genuine freedom. Her art, characterized by being colorful and figurative, has become A SYMBOL OF FEMININITY AND SELF-EXPRESSION.
With an innate talent for creativity, Mariel began her career in education, working as an art teacher and Montessori Guide. This stage was crucial for her personal development and for understanding the importance of creative freedom and emotional expression. However, in 2014, Mariel decided to make a radical change and dedicate herself entirely to her artistic career, becoming a passionate autodidact.
The creation of her own brand, MARALOVE, was a decisive step in her journey. Mariel found in this platform a way to express herself with complete freedom. MARALOVE is not just an artistic label but a vehicle for her imagination and emotions. Through it, she has been able to create her own universe where paintings, phrases, photo sessions, and collaborations with various brands converge. "MARALOVE is a way to exploit my imagination to share it," says Mariel, emphasizing the importance of this initiative in her artistic development.
How did your childhood influence your passion for art and creation?
Mariel Méndez: Fortunately, I had a childhood where I could develop and be creative in a much broader way than what exists today. We had the opportunity to be outside with our neighbors, playing, inventing, and creating without digital tools, and all that fosters a constant need to develop your mind. It also influenced me a lot because I took art classes as a child, ceramic classes with my grandmother, and my mother is a florist, so there were many ways and opportunities to be close to creativity.
What led you to pursue an artistic career?
MM: What led me to pursue an artistic career was my instinct, my passion...that passion that I had inside me since childhood, which I can't decipher or explain, I simply was born with it, with this taste, this fascination for art, for fashion itself as a way of life, of dressing and showing your style and being through my imagination. This creativity for me has been what inspired me to become an independent artist.
I am inspired by my day-to-day life, every day, wherever I am
What inspires you in the creation of your artwork, especially in relation to the women you portray?
MM: Honestly, I am inspired by my day-to-day life, every day, wherever I am. I am inspired by nature, my emotions, my dreams, and aspirations, everything I desire, I transmit that in my works, which are very imaginative and dreamy. I am inspired by the colors that surround me at the moment, the clothing combinations of people who cross my path, the sky, the birds, and nature.
What challenges have you faced as an artist throughout your career, and how have you overcome them?
MM: The challenges that have been most present in my life have been personal recognition, as well as financial challenges. The sense of compensation as a monetary reward, giving economic value to my work, has been difficult, and maintaining financial stability in my career has been a challenge. My emotional state is something I continually work on because there are constant variations in emotions, ups and downs, disappointments, illusions, hopes, and all the emotions and feelings that are not always under control or in our hands. Most of these feelings occur during your entrepreneurship; you inevitably experience them, and they are very constant. You must be prepared and mentally prepared that something different will happen every day, and overcoming all these adversities will be your greatest mission.
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| Sentiment Collection, 2024 |
You must be prepared and mentally ready that something different will happen every day, and rising above all these adversities will be your greatest mission.
What does the MARALOVE platform mean to you in terms of artistic expression and emotional freedom?
MM: MARALOVE is an incredible platform for me because it is a free way for me to express what stage of life I am in, how I feel, what I am experiencing, and where I am at in my life without having to express it as Mariel. I feel that MARALOVE is always this extroverted side, which is "Mara," and this "person" is daring, makes things possible, believes in herself, doesn't doubt, and knocks on the biggest doors for new opportunities. On the other hand, Mariel is a more introverted side and I keep it more personal.
How would you describe your artistic style and what elements define it according to your own words?
MM: I define my style as figurative with free strokes. I feel it is a definition of my own feelings in the moment of life I am in. I believe the defining elements are women, color, black outlining, round earrings, and most of all, female faces.
On the other hand, Mariel is a more introverted side and I keep it more personal
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Photo: Wehbe Creative |
Mariel Méndez is undoubtedly an artist who invites us to dare to dream, explore our own emotions, and find freedom in creative expression. Her work, full of life and color, is a reflection of her personal journey and a celebration of femininity and genuine freedom.
Another fundamental pillar in Mariel's work is fashion. Her interest in merging fashion and art comes from a need to create a complete image in her works, as if each piece told a story behind the portrayed image. In each photo session, Mariel includes specific outfits that complement the style and story she wants to tell. This integration of fashion and art not only enriches her creations but also adds an additional layer of meaning and context.
How does the fusion of fashion and art manifest in your creative work, and why do you consider this union important?
MM: I believe that fashion is everywhere, at every moment, and every day within me. I think that art comes naturally, as an innate learning that I didn't develop by going to school but over time. My biggest inspiration in fashion was my mother; she transmitted this feminine side of dressing up and being creative in our attire. For me, fashion combined with art is a perfect combination because, without a doubt, fashion is art. The ability to mix, match patterns, shapes, colors, and combinations is the same in art—they go hand in hand. Therefore, two of my passions, fashion and art, come together to create incredible experiences. They live together. This fusion is where MARALOVE is born.
Everything I transmit, I try to do from a very intimate, very personal, and very sincere place within myself
How do you manage to convey the sense of freedom and authenticity through your artworks?
MM: I believe I manage to convey freedom and authenticity in my works based on what I propose, what I exhibit, what I live, and what I speak about. Everything I transmit, I try to do from a very intimate, very personal, and very sincere place within myself. I think this is the most effective way to show who I really am, by always acting as yourself and always defending your point of view and your life strategy, if it is based on your values and what you believe is right.
Everything that happens in your day feeds you with new emotions and new goals in life
What do you consider most important when immersing yourself in the creative process of art?
MM: I believe that the creative process is not a moment where you sit down, think, and plan. It is a process—something you live through, feel, acquire, and experience emotions and an indescribable feeling. These are situations that happen to you every day, so this accumulation of ideas forms the creative process. It is not a single moment but many moments where you realize you are changing, maturing, and shifting perspectives. Everything that happens in your day feeds you with new emotions and new goals in life. You don't think it will happen, but suddenly an idea strikes you, and you say, "Wow! This came out of nowhere, I got inspired." But it didn't come out of nowhere; it is the result of everything you have been living through. This is what creates the moment of inspiration and creativity.
Mariel describes her art as "figurative but very free." This freedom is reflected in her ability to mix and explore various elements without restrictions. "I like to express myself freely without any prejudice, rule, or theory," she says.
Her works, often centered on the female figure, reflect her own emotions and aspirations. "The women in my works have a lot to offer and a lot of description of themselves; they are my personality, what I would like to be, something I dream of and want to achieve."
From her early childhood sketches, her passion for creation has been a constant in her life. These initial artistic impulses have not only been a form of self-communication but have also paved the way for her ability to connect with others through her work.
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| "Life" Collection 2023 Location: Paradisaea San Diego, California Model: Ileana Mendez Photographer: Jackie Gallardo Style: MARALOVE Art: MARALOVE |
What role does femininity play in your works, and how do you represent it in your art?
Mariel Méndez: I believe the role of femininity in my works is to represent the freedom of expression — freedom in clothing, style, taste, and the ability to do and create whatever you desire. That's how it should be in every aspect of your life. This is what femininity represents in my works. It represents the ability to express your most feminine and profound way of being a Woman — your emotions, your emotional highs and lows, all these hormonal changes. They represent this feminine side; the accessories, the hairstyles, represent the belief in yourself and feeling satisfied with who you are.
What message do you seek to convey through your art, especially in relation to emotional exploration and imagination?
MM: The message I seek to convey through my art is that everyone should live in freedom — freedom of knowledge, exploration, feelings, and love. That we live in a kind of imaginary bubble where we protect ourselves and live in this world, but not for the world, nor do we live off the world. Instead, within this bubble, we are creative and boundless; we fly, we grow, and we do the most amazing thing, which is to let our imagination soar. We should not allow the world to extinguish this flame, this creative way of thinking. I want everyone who connects with MARALOVE to feel that nothing is impossible, that everything passes, and that nothing lasts forever.
I believe the role of femininity in my works is to represent the freedom of expression,
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