Bio
Melina Cossío is based out of Canada. Born in Tapachula, Chiapas, México. She has travelled worldwide to study and perfect her craft in stained glass and oil painting.
In 1993, while living in Guadalajara, México, Melina discovered that she had a gift for the arts. As a teenager, she quickly became recognized for her talents, which led to her showcasing her artwork at her high school art exhibitions.
Art as a profession was not an option for Melina, so She decided to finish her career in business administration from 1996 to 2000 at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara (UAG). Although she excelled at business management, her art kept calling her.
So in 2003 - 2007, when Melina moved to Finland, she embarked on fine arts at Ylöjärven Työväenopisto, where she took several workshops and gained specialization in contemporary stained glass, acrylics, pastels and oil paintings. During this time of learning, she had the fortune to work with prestigious Finnish artist Tuula Lehtinen, creating a grand mosaic art installation in Tampere Pikkupalatsi using ceramic and Murano glass and helping artist Matti Kuronen in the environmental art project Keinutori.
From 2007 to 2014, Melina expanded her artistic repertoire by acquiring metal welding skills in Santiago, Chile, which she effectively integrated into her stained glass creations. Concurrently, she pursued advanced studies in oil painting and carbon drawing under the direct guidance of Martin Soria at the Martin Soria Academy from 2007 to 2011. , she honed her portrait and figure drawing skills. During her preparation, Melina had the opportunity to showcase her work among fellow artists, which led her to complete several private commissions.
Since 2014, she has been residing and creating art in Mississauga, Ontario. Canada, where She is an active member of Visual Arts Mississauga, Muskoka Arts and Crafts, Artists’ Network , Mississauga Arts Council and Sauga Arts HUB
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Melina focused on developing her oil painting skills, drawing inspiration from her experiences in life and as a newcomer to Canada. Then, for the first time, she took action on her practice and led her to participate in several juried art exhibitions, including:
- Visual Arts Mississauga
- RAW Showcase
- Paint Ontario at Lambton Heritage Museum
- Summer and Grace Art Gallery
- Electric box mural (Mississauga Art Council)
- Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAf 62)
- Riverdale art walk
- Muskoka art and crafts Summer show
- Beaches arts and crafts
- Lakeshore art trail
- A private exhibition of her work at the Living Arts Centre, among diverse singers, led by singer Arlene Paculan
- Online art sales platforms
Melina's artistic achievements include winning a bronze award at Camelback Gallery and the People's Choice Award at The Beauty of the Bees Exhibit, juried exhibition organized by the Mississauga Arts Council. She is also an active participant in art groups, such as @Sauga_enplainairpaintinggroup and participate in summer workshops to supports art groups to enrich the community through art.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Melina is active on social media, where she enjoys supporting diverse artists and showcasing her artwork. She also takes on oil painting commissions and continues developing her artistic skills.
Overall, Melina is a talented and dedicated visual artist committed to sharing her art with the community and supporting the artistic endeavours of others.
Melina's art inspiration comes from pictures she captures on her road trip surroundings, channelling her feelings and sentiments of the moment through her work. Melina creates a soothing and inviting atmosphere, using various styles and techniques, often incorporating vivid colours and intricate brushstrokes. Her process starts with an abstract base of gestural lines and shapes, which she then builds upon using a combination of traditional brushwork to focus on the main idea. Her work goes deep into its atmosphere, where she often uses her favourite glaze technique to create blurriness on it.
With her artwork, Melina aims to provide a point of view of the present life where she meets with others' feelings and brings an appreciation for the beauty found in the world. She hopes that collectors will not only be captivated by the objects or figures in her art but also be in touch with the universality of emotions and the atmosphere conveyed.
Melina is fluent in Spanish, Finnish, and English.