Internationally recognized mixed media artist Andrea Matus DeMeng’s symbolic, powerful works can best be described as phantasmagorical. At a glance the viewer is instantly transported via discordant shapes with a feminine aesthetic. Andrea hopes to inspire others to live creative lives and pursue their dreams of transformation.

“I create mixed media portraits combining paint, collage, clay, and found objects. These mediums allow me as an artist to time travel and globetrot without leaving my studio. I can incorporate objects, imagery and inspiration from anywhere in the world, and from any time period and unite it all with items from my every day life and personal travels.”

“The process is spontaneous, organic and full of surprises. If I knew exactly what a piece was going to look like before I started I would simply paint it, using all these fabulous bits introduces unpredictability and I really enjoy the dialogue that arises when it comes together. Paint is the magic ingredient that unites all the components. Slowing down the process and working very deliberately when it comes to painting is one of my favourite parts of the process; it really is what transforms a piece from a hodge-podge of “stuff” and pattern into a cohesive artwork.”

“I am fortunate to travel quite extensively teaching workshops all over the world, each new place brings with it a unique perspective, new influences and fresh inspiration, not to mention the raw materials I collect for artworks. You never know what will spark a new creation; sometimes it’s the expression of a face I discovered on a vintage photograph, or a tile pattern I see in a building, or even an unusual item I’ve come across in a thrift shop.”

“Most importantly, art inspires art. It makes you “feel” something: happy, contemplative, melancholy or inspired. Seeing the work of those who have come before me, looking at current works of fellow artists, my husband Michael's daily art practice rituals, it’s impossible not to be inspired. These experiences motivate me to constantly push my art to higher levels.”

Andrea’s Current Obessions

“I would have to say that my recent trip to Italy is responsible for my infatuation with all things Renaissance. I’m a huge fan of that era in art, experiencing it first hand I discovered so many subtle complexities that you would never be able to pick up from viewing reproductions. For example I never knew that Botticelli used gold leaf to create highlights in many of his blonde haired woman…how cool is that? Of course there are all of the elaborate design patterns that were absolutely everywhere. It was pattern overload, and it was beautiful. How that will translate into my art practice I’m not quite sure yet, but I’m definitely brimming with new ideas.”