Say Hello to Melissa Mathieson!

We have spent quite some time looking for the perfect 3D artist to join our carefully curated roster of artists and we are thrilled to have found the charming work of illustrator Melissa Mathieson.

Her expertly rendered 3D world is bursting full of fun and nostalgia with it’s cheerful characters, lush textures, and vibrant colours.

Get to know the artist behind this vibrant 3D world in our Q&A:

1. Do you listen to music while you draw/paint/illustrate? And if so, who or what gets the most plays in
your studio?

I do listen to music while making art, it helps get those creative juices flowing and the energy up! My music genres often are on rotation depending on my mood or what piece I am working on. I mainly shuffle between R&B, Rap, Jazz, and Hyperpop. I also listen to a lot of podcasts about food and restaurants because I am a big foodie!

2. Which other illustrators or artists do you most admire and why?

I am constantly being inspired by other artists! To name a few; Laurie Rowan, Ricardo Cavolo, Lauren Martin, Ori Toor. Overall I am very attracted to designs with bold, bright characters and shapes. I think my list of favorites will forever be expanding as I am seeing so many talented artists every day.

3. What is the best thing about being an illustrator? And the worst?

I definitely think there are way more benefits than downsides when it comes to being an illustrator. I still feel like I am living the dream a little bit, you can’t get much better than making art for a living! Also, creating your own schedule gives you a lot of freedom to do other things you enjoy other than work. Though this comes with downsides too, such as having to self manage as far as time/workload goes. It can be very easy to overwork yourself when you don’t have anyone telling you to take breaks or when to finish the day. Another downside is worrying if more jobs will come when there are slow periods.

4. How do you overcome a creative block?

I think as artists we only have so much creativity to give before needing a break to refill the tank. First, recognizing that you are in a bit of a block and not forcing yourself to continue is the most important step.

When I first started my art career I would try to push past the creative block, and I can say from experience, nothing good comes from this! Taking time away from your creation will really help to gain a new perspective and get back to it later.

Some things I do to get over a creative block would be, talking a walk to get some fresh air and a new perspective. Maybe try walking in a new area that you haven’t been before. Watching a film or reading a graphic novel that can spark new inspiration.

Lastly would be cooking. For me cooking is a great outlet for creativity that is not creating artwork and helps focus my mind on specific task, plus you get a rewarding meal afterwards so it’s a win-win!

5. What are 3 of your favourite films? Which one would you illustrate the poster for?

Such a hard question! I will say, I am a huge lover of Wes Anderson movies. A handful of his movies are in my top list, my favorite being, Moonrise Kingdom. For a thriller movie, Parasite. And an animated movie would be Spirited Away. To make a poster for one, I would take a swing at re-working the poster for Spirited Away.

6. If you could illustrate the book cover for one book, which would it be?

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll has been a childhood favorite of mine, and it would be the dream to make a cover for it. I think there are a lot of overlapping themes in both the book and my work as far as the characters, vegetation, and surrealism go, so I think my artwork would lend perfectly to the story.

7. Dream studio location and set up?

In my mind, the dream studio would be a big open space with lots of windows for natural light and plants – maybe in a city like Paris? Somewhere where I feel very inspired to create, also somewhere where there are a lot of art museums close by for inspiration when I am lacking it. Also having a café close by would solidify this studio being a dream.

8. Best trip you have ever been on?

I have been very fortunate to have travelled a lot in the last few years, mainly due to the freedom I have with my freelance art job to create my own schedule. Last year I travelled to Singapore, and can easily say that it has been my favorite place I have ever been to. The architecture, food, and culture have me longing for more!

9. What do you have to have in place before you start work?

I am a simple gal when it comes to having things in place to start work. Breakfast and some form of caffeine – usually a tea! I also start every morning writing in my daily planner, this helps me visualize the day and all of the tasks I have to complete. I love checking things off, so having a physical planner rather than a digital one is very important for me. Is there a better feeling than crossing something off a to-do list?

10. If you could have any artwork in your home what would it be?

If we are talking full dream artwork, I would say a Basquiat painting. I am a huge fan of his child-like forms and use of color. I would absolutely love to have a piece of his in my home. Second best would be one of Henri Rousseau’s jungle paintings.

Join us in giving Melissa a warm welcome, you can check out her full portfolio here.