Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamila Mendez.
Jamila, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I’m a visual artist. I paint, design clothes and do portraiture. My journey started when I was young. Pretty early on my mother discovered that I had a lot of artistic ability and she encouraged it by enrolling me at summer camps focused on the arts. I also took private art lessons from the amazing Linda Gamble Camp who taught for Arts Magnet and is a well-known artist in the Dallas area. I was specifically drawn to making illustrations of dresses, designing them and putting different fabrics together. Since I had designed all of my dresses for all of my high school dances I decided that I should major in fashion design to learn how to construct them as well, so that’s what I did. While in college I also immersed myself in other forms of art. I took several figurative drawing and illustration classes. It was while I was there that I took up a water coloring class that changed everything for me. I fell in love with painting at that very moment.
After college, I felt severe frustration over the lack of creative jobs that were available to me in Dallas, so I took things into my own hands. I built a clientele from making prom and wedding dresses, and accessories while working corporate jobs. In March of 2001, I decided to leave Corporate America and focus fully on my creative endeavors. I became a certified photographer in 2008 while continuing to make prom dresses as well as teaching an afterschool enrichment arts program throughout the DISD area. It was while doing that, I remembered how much I loved painting. Deciding that I needed to showcase my work I started looking for different shows. My very first one was in December 2016. I sold two original paintings that night, and I haven’t looked back since.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Since I utilize fabric, photography, and painting, you can see all of these elements in any of my projects. You will see collage work, repeated shapes and vibrant colors in my work. Color helps me to convey emotion while collaging helps to insert the past and build layers to the pieces I make. I really like merging all three whenever I can. Specifically, in my paintings, I like to incorporate photography as well. You will see a consistent theme in all of my work about our connection to “all” from the greatest to the smallest. I like creating things that challenge societal boxes and standards that we seem to grip so closely. It is my hope that by exploring our past and our need of labels that we can correct the circle of destruction that continues to plague us in the present. In every piece, I’m striving to start an important conversation about what is truly valuable in our lives.
Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
I think that life has become a bit easier for artist of today simply because of social media. It can definitely get you into a larger demographic. However, you can also fall into the trap of over saturation. Our society has so much information coming at it, so sometimes it’s hard to stand out. It’s up to you to figure out just how to do that.
The city of Dallas can help artists thrive by collaborating with them on city projects, fostering and creating affordable spaces that will help us grow and retain patrons.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
People can see my work of course on social media but I much rather meet you in person I frequently participate in exhibits and festivals throughout the DFW area, and I’m always posting about my upcoming events on all my social media so you can always find out information there.
The best way for people to support my work is to buy it! LOL share it with your friends and tell other people about me. The more exposure I have allows me to gain more patrons. I sell original work as well as prints and accessories.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mimichic.com
- Email: mimichicbiz@gmail.com
- Instagram: http:://www.instagram.com/mimichicboutique
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/artofmimichic
- Other: http://www.facebook.com/mimichicphotography
Image Credit:
Jamila Mendez
Joe Mendez III
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