Medium
5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became an Artist
[as originally published on medium.com]
Lissa Mel is an Israeli artist, gallerist, entrepreneur, and fashion designer. Her art has been featured at Miami’s prestigious Art Basel and is also represented at her own Santa Monica-based gallery, The Messengers Art Gallery. In 2022 she combined her two passions, painting and fashion, and launched her own hoodie and apparel collection called Loren Marie. She’s created hundreds of pieces of artwork and collaborated with such iconic designers as Michael Kors.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I have always had a deep love for art from a very young age. It all began when my mother recognized my talent and started creating sketches with me when I was just three years old. She was not only my mother but also my best teacher, guiding and inspiring me with her skilled hand. Even at such a young age, I found myself captivated by the paintings of Van Gogh. Before I even turned six, I created my own large-scale painting inspired by his iconic flowers and sunflower works. At around the age of eight or nine, I also delved into the realm of fashion design, channeling my creative expression through sketches and designs. These early experiences ignited a passion for art that continued to grow as I did.
As I journeyed through life, I pursued my studies in art at Mahon Avni College of art in Tel Aviv. I dedicated three years to refining and honing my artistic skills, immersing myself in the world of creativity and expression. It was during my second year of study that I truly discovered my potential. I had the incredible opportunity to showcase my artwork at the prestigious Bat Yam Museum of Art. This pivotal moment marked a breakthrough in my artistic journey and I made the wholehearted decision to fully devote myself to the pursuit of art and share my unique perspective with the world.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Throughout my childhood in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, I had the opportunity to explore various interests. One of my passions during that time was gymnastics, and I was fortunate to be trained by the same instructor who had coached Alina Kabaeva, a celebrated, world-champion gymnast.
When I was 10 years old, my family made a life-changing move to Israel. Adjusting to a new country came with its fair share of challenges. As an Asian-looking child with a Russian accent, I encountered instances of bullying and was a bit of an outcast. However, I refused to let these obstacles deter me from pursuing my dreams.
At the age of 12, I discovered a new passion: athletics. With both of my parents being professional athletes, I was naturally drawn to this world. Long-distance running became my forte, and I dedicated myself to training and competing. In high school, I consistently secured first-place medals in school competitions, showcasing my determination and talent in the field of athletics.
During one particularly memorable competition, my skills caught the attention of a renowned Israeli championship trainer. Recognizing my potential, he extended an invitation for me to join Maccabi Tel Aviv Athletics, granting me the opportunity to compete at a national level. For two years, I immersed myself in rigorous training and participated in regular competitions where I continually pushed myself to excel and reach new heights… READ MORE