Meet Melinda Curtin | Artist, Illustrator, Sewist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melinda Curtin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melinda, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I believe you are born an artist. I knew at age 9 that I wanted to make things. That year I made my own paper dolls- then my own Christmas cards – and then owl candles from a candle making kit I received. I was hooked. I took home ec at first year in high school and asked my Dad for a sewing machine after that. I turned my teenage bedroom into a sewing studio at that point… The first time I sold my artwork- I was 23 years old. I knew I would be creating art for a very long time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I consider myself mostly a painter- but I do a fair amount of drawing and such along the way…. I left watercolor 30 years ago to pursue acrylic and mixed media. I gravitate towards whimsical themes and use words in my work whenever I can.

I feel like I’ve made every mistake by trying everything- but have learned the most from my happy mistakes. I get ideas from everywhere- my family, friends, and clients. I love when people make suggestions for what I should create next.

In the last year- I finally spent the time and did the hard work and got a line of my most popular images together. I am now partnering with retailers and museum shops to sell my cards, prints, and custom art fabric items- tea towels and totes. The most well liked images over time have been my alphabets, “advice” art, and dog and cat themes. That’s what I am focusing on at the moment.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
TUCSON! Hightlights for the week
Walk the Riverwalk to REN Coffeehouse for a mushroom coffee or golden milk latte- a housemade scone or a protein brekky
Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum
St. Philip’s Plaza- Union House happy hour and live 80s dance music with Gigi and the Glow
Tucson Museum of Art and Café à La C’Art for an amazing lunch
Nancy’s Boondocks for some karaoke
Make customized hats on 4th Avenue at House of Hatters
Monsoon Chocolate for a frozen hot chocolate and a bon bon
Mercado San Augustin for patio breakfast and people watching at Seis Kitchen
Walk around downtown and have an açaí bowl at Berry Greens and then hang out at Hotel Congress for an appetizer
Tohono Chul for live music- Chillin’ at the Chul on summer weekend nights
Sunday morning at the Rillito Park Farmer’s Market for some Holy Foccacia, Queen Bee Banana Bread- gluten free, and some Better than Provisions keto granola.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My 2 biggest cheerleaders- my love- Jim and my favorite friend- Sylvia

Website: https://www.melbeckstudio.com

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