Today we’d like to introduce you to Mayelli Meza.
Hi Mayelli, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was introduced to art by my grandparents. My abuela sold art and crafts and my abuelo was a carpenter and a welder. They both loved to create and make stuff from scratch. I lived with them on and off until my teenage years. As a child, and young adult I developed a passion for drawing my surroundings. I started drawing streets, people and food in the market place where my abuela sold all of her arts and crafts. Painting be came so natural. I felt alive when my hands touched the brushes and paints.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My parents were not supportive of my dreams and were very disengaged in my my life. We moved to Dalton, Georgia from Mexico City when I was 11 years old, I didn’t speak English and didn’t have an interest in the sports they offered at school however, I loved the art classes they offered but my parents didn’t understand that my passion, was my necessity, so I became very lonely and sad.
My parents were not around, and didn’t believe in God, but at least they allowed to attend church.
I enjoyed rolling skating on Saturdays at the church’s gym there I was also part of the choir and participated in plays. Church was the only place where I felt better. It wasn’t painting, but at least I could express myself.
I met my husband in church, he was very passionate about singing, writing and acting. He became my best friend, he understood my passion, he spoke my language.
Once married in our young adult life, my dream became more of a hobby, a backseat to the responsibilities of marriage.
I had to work full time while my husband started a business. As the kids starting arriving, it became almost impossible for me to find time to paint. Once my four children were in school I wanted to go back to go back and pursue my dreams but, my husband said there was no time to follow dreams and needed to make money so I worked and went to a vocational school. I became an Esthetics Instructor.
I taught Esthetics part time, while I worked as a banker and Insurance agent.
When my daughter started participating in school plays and local theaters, I volunteered my time by painting backdrops, costumes and faces. I also participated in the events of our local Creatives Arts Guild, hosted and organized. I painted as much as I could, but my husband would reminded me that feeding our kids and paying our bills took priority over perusing dreams.
He knew my talent, but didn’t believe my painting would bring us any money. He became one of my biggest challenge, since his non-believe gave me so much insecurity in my own talent.
It has been three years since I decided to go full force with my painting and peruse my passion.
Overall my biggest challenges I’ve faced have been the lack of parents support throughout my whole life, motherhood itself and last but not least the non-belief of my husband.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an artist and muralist. The two Murals that I’m more proud of will have to be Dalton Mural and Our Community Mural.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Others can support and collaborate by following me and sharing my work through social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://latelierdemayelli.com/
- Instagram: mayellimeza
- Facebook: Mayelli Meza
