Artist Spotlight: MARALOVE

“MIND AND SOUL” collection, 2018-2019. Ileana Méndez photographed by Jackie Gallardo.

Mariel Mendez is the self-taught Mexican-American artist behind the vibrant and expressive brand MARALOVE.

Written by Jasmine Jones
Photography by Jackie Gallardo & Yaz Reve
Featuring Ileana Méndez & Nina Lozano

Mariel Mendez is the self-taught Mexican-American artist behind MARALOVE. Growing up in Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, CA, Mariel’s passion for art was apparent from an early age. After a decade of working as a preschool art teacher and managing two full-time jobs, she decided to follow her dreams and start her career as an independent artist, launching her brand MARALOVE in 2014.

Since then, she has exhibited her artwork at Neiman Marcus and NORDSTROM, collaborated with the United Nations and other organizations globally, and participated in art and fashion events, including Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Mexico. Throughout her journey, she has prioritized seeking out and seizing opportunities to showcase her vibrant creations and continues to inspire others to do the same.

“MOODY GIRLS NIGHT OUT” fashion show, 2021.
Nina Lozano photographed by Jackie Gallardo.

At what age did you realize your love of art and the need to create art yourself?

Since I was a child I loved painting, but it was not until my twenties when I figured out that I wanted to be an artist. Although I really enjoyed it, I never imagined being an artist and dedicating myself one hundred percent to art. Since before I only thought of it as a hobby. During my twenties was when I decided to become a full-time artist.

Your mother encouraged and embraced your artistic journey at such a young age. You later became a preschool teacher while teaching art to children and teenagers, encouraging them to explore their artistic journeys. How have these experiences impacted your journey, style, and approach to art?

They have undoubtedly impacted my growth and social experience. We are evolving all the time, you are always discovering yourself, getting to know yourself and seeing new abilities and virtues in you, which are developing due to your maturity, due to your growth in your career. Teaching and sharing for me is like an infinite possibility to exploit and develop in others, as you discover yourself and create at the same time, a lot of inspiration and diversity in creativity.

What is MARALOVE? What made you want to take the leap and start your brand?

MARALOVE’S purpose at first was to focus my time and energy on doing something for myself, on keeping myself busy and motivated. It was a rebirth feeling of myself being able to reveal myself, something like being restarted. The fact that Mariel was so introverted, I didn't like to be exposed, not into social media, I didn't like to socialize much. I do laugh, I'm friendly and have fun, but at the end of the day my preference is being quiet or going back home. When I decided to launch MARALOVE, it was a transition from showing my artistic personality. This motivated me, I loved the fact that this will allow me to show the other side of me.

MARALOVE is who Mariel would like to be and at the end of the day is who I am, but in an extroverted way. You just don't free yourself, you don't take off those ties and I really had the need to feel more free about my interest and artistic creations. That's when I decided to do it, and it was the main purpose of MARALOVE.

“Color Atraction” collection.
Ileana Méndez photographed by Jackie Gallardo.

Ileana Méndez photographed by Yaz Reve.

"MARALOVE is who Mariel would like to be and at the end of the day is who I am, but in an extroverted way."

Sharing your work on social media was an essential part of your artistic journey. How has it influenced your growth as an artist? What are some of the positive experiences you've had through social media?

Social media is an incredible platform to show the world your work. To expand and show my work to all kinds of audiences. It is a less complicated way, I am not saying that it is easy, because in every media you have to follow up, you have to be up to date, always with new initiatives and be aware of what is happening. It is quite a challenge, but it is a nice way to express yourself and show who you are. I think social media has to be used properly to maximize its potential.

What surprises did you face in the early stages of MARALOVE?

I have faced many surprises during my career, at first the most difficult was giving value and price to my artwork. Many surprises come along your way, every day. Every experience you go through is surprising and unexpected. I think that for every artist, adding monetary value is the most difficult step. Giving a price to your creations and starting your path as an artist comes with lots of surprises.

How did your series "Moody Girls" come to life?

My creations come to life based on my emotions and feelings that I live at the moment I create them. Each one has a meaning and a moment in my life that has been a process which I have gone through and I have transported it to my artwork. After being in a painting, they are brought to life by my muse, through photo sessions, in which I make for each new collection. Basically I add a painting and a live physical “Moody girl” to the photo shoot. This is how I combine art with personification and fashion. This way, it is something more physical, not so much emotional as the beginning.

Out of all of your art collections or projects, which is your favorite, and why?

I love all the collections I've made, they all have a very special sentimental value, but I think the ones I like the most are the ones I haven't launched yet, they only exist for me. I create something that is prior to my collection and one comes out that I decide not to launch for whatever reason. There is one that is very special, that I love. It is an abstract piece that is made with watercolor, outlined with a marker, and has no name yet. It’s from my first collection.

You’ve collaborated with various organizations, high-end department stores, and fashion brands. How did these collaborations come about?

I have had the opportunity to collaborate with very special organizations. The ones that fulfill me with gratitude and pride the most have been for the United Nations in New York, there I participated as an artist and gave some self-portraits to thirteen participants and collaborators of this organization. I have also worked for high-end stores and I am very proud of that, too. I was knocking on doors in these stores for three years, because from the beginning of my career, I set out to make it more incredible and challenge myself to the maximum, and knock on doors where I thought they were not going to listen to me and decided to take a lot of courage and do it. One day, by a stroke of luck, a friend had a meeting with one of these two department stores and talked about my work. I ended up making something very special. I never thought of anything similar but it was possible after trying for so long. It was something glorious and it was a much bigger project than I expected.

Who would your dream collaboration be with?

I dream a lot about collaborating with fashion magazines, as a visual artist, artistic stylist, as a creative artist to dress up, make covers. Mainly for Vogue magazine, that would be a dream to be able to participate or collaborate with them. Also my dream is to participate with more brands that are already established, and to have my art in conjunction with their brand will be amazing. I would like to participate in museums where I can create an artistic space in which people can visit, learn, and enjoy. Something very interactive, I would love that.

"I would tell young people to be persistent, to continue, to be passionate about what they feel, to follow their beliefs and don’t ignore their values. That is what will lead them to be not only an artist, but also a successful person."

What are your thoughts on formal education vs. learning through experiences? Which do you believe is most beneficial for an entrepreneur?

I believe that both are very important, but for me the one that has worked the most is education through experience. I believe that studying or going to school is always beneficial, but when you can find your talent or you were born with a specific talent you have to exploit it; it is something that generates much more for you. I feel that you’ll have a bigger opportunity. Becoming aware of your talent and making a positive contribution to the world is very important, even if you study and have a Bachelor’s degree, it is important to define your talents. I believe that many of us finish a degree in something and do not do it for a living. For the same reason, studying is basic because it teaches you about your career, it gives you knowledge of general, social, and moral knowledge. School is a very good way for the human being to have order, rules, and many of the values that we sometimes do not have at home. Everything that school entails is very basic for the human being, but I feel that the most important step for me is to describe what you are good at and combine it with your studies.

How has MARALOVE evolved since its first year in business, and what do you envision for its future?

I have dreams to fulfill. I would very much like to see my organization grow, have important collaborators. I would like to make MARALOVE grow so that it develops as a creative brand, not only paintings, but also accessories, clothing, shoes, and that dream is with MARALOVE, and also the design of interiors. I have several goals that I want to work on; personal dream is to be able to feel like MARALOVE (free, determined, strong, emotionally healed) because MARALOVE did not start with all the emotional tools already set but it was strengthened to this point that it is at a very high emotional level. That anytime I post is how I truly feel, it's a dream that doesn't seem important but is actually very important to achieve.

For those interested, how does one contact you for custom orders? And what sort of custom orders do you take?

You can find me on Instagram @mara.love and would love to hear from you to customize clothing, paintings or any other type of commission. Everything I do is customized and one on one through email, direct message, or phone. You can see more of my work on my website www.maraloveshop.com.

You’ve taken leaps of faith throughout your journey to pursue your dreams. What advice would you give to other artists and entrepreneurs who may be hesitant to take those risks and follow their passions?

I would tell young people to be persistent, to continue, to be passionate about what they feel, to follow their beliefs and don’t ignore their values. That is what will lead them to be not only an artist, but also a successful person. Work emotionally, that nothing is easy. Having a job is not easy, being an entrepreneur is not easy. Be true to yourself, do not harm people and work hard, because everything will be compensated. Each positive move you make, any movement that you do well, will be compensated until you reach your final goal.

Learn more about Mariel Mendez through her website maraloveshop.com and find her on Instagram @mara.love.