Honest Tid Bits with Melody Hansen
Today on Honest Tid Bits we have the brilliant and genius Melody Hansen! I’m sure you’ve already seen some of her type pieces and illustrations floating around the internet, cause this girl is everywhere and we can’t get enough of her! I am super privileged to say that I actually know Melody personally, we met way back when we were both (way) younger, I’d say maybe 10 years ago, at church actually! To have seen her creativity, expression and voice grow has been such a valuable journey- seeing her fully develop into who she’s made to be! Let’s get right into it!
1. Hello Melody, tell us a little bit about you and what you do!
I’m Melody, I currently live in the suburbs of Toronto. I like to design and paint and write. And sometimes I do it for people. I create music with my sister, too.
2. How did you find your ‘thing’? You describe yourself as ‘artist’ covering a huge variety of things, why have you chosen to go with that description to describe yourself?
It just happened naturally. It’s not something that I planned out or “looked for”, I just became more and more aware of what I was drawn to and started making things using those elements. And with time, the more I created for myself, the more the art started to look like me. I like the word ‘artist’ because it doesn’t feel limiting. When it comes down to it, I just create what I see in my head, and that could take any form.
3. What does your day to day look like?
Most days, I wake up at 9, eat breakfast, and work on my laptop until nighttime. I like to put on classic movies or documentaries while I work. On other days, I like to go downtown for a change of scenery and hang out with friends. I need mental breaks once a week at least, and those are my ways to refresh my mind.
4. You work on a whole lot of personal projects, ‘Because Honestly’ being one of them, how do you stay motivated to do your own projects?
A lot of what I do is feeling driven, and comes from a need to express something. I think that longing to share what I feel and think about is what keeps me creating. And the fact that we are free to create anything in any way we choose, the fact that there is no real standard or limitation but the one in our head - that keeps me going, that challenges me to do it my own way. This is really the only way I know how to be alive.
5. Now for the gritty because that’ what this column 'Honest Tid Bits’ is about, what something you struggle with in the design industry?
I think my biggest struggle is the process of designing for someone else. I find that we live in a culture that doesn’t value the mind; we put more importance on the final product. So, process work is often overlooked, and not always understood. An idea takes time to grow, and the last thing I want to do is force it. I’m learning to balance time and ideas and clients, but I’m also learning that it’s okay to communicate that you need more time and that it’s a part of the process. I’m learning that in the end, I am the one creating and I want it to be good. For myself, and for them.
6. How have you managed to build your social media following and how has it been of an impact to your work?
By sharing. By sharing what’s on my mind. By sharing what I see, what I notice. And it’s allowed me to grow as an artist, to know what moves people. As artists, we create for ourselves, but we also create for other people. To be moved, to be awakened. Social media has been a way for me to see what people are drawn to. And to reach anyone, really. A lot of my clients have found me that way, and I think that’s really cool.
7. What would your dying last advice for an artist that’s just starting be?
Follow your instincts. Trust them. Keep trying to make whatever you see in your head, until it actually looks like it. And the rest will unfold on its own.
I honestly love how real and raw Melody’s heart is in ever single piece of work and writing she puts together! Her work just grips at people’s hearts. So much to draw from! She is such an inspiration and it’s a privilege again to have her here with us today! Thank you Melody! And Ps. her Because Honestly book just went on order, grab a copy for yourself, here!
Find Melody Hansen Elsewhere
