Close Your Eyes, What Do You See?

Melissa Santamaría is a Mexico City based visual artist who uses her synaesthesia and natural surroundings to inspire and translate into psychedelic and often abstract visuals. A collaboration with someone as unique and creative as her felt natural.

The first time our team jumped on a call with Melissa, it was all smiles and laughter. She immediately started telling us what color our auras were and what energy we were giving off. There was a lot of talk about the music we were currently listening to, and food we were going to eat in Mexico City when we came to visit her. It felt like catching up with an old friend, when in reality we had all just met 15 min ago. That’s the type of person Melissa is though: go-with-the-flow and vibrant, just like the visuals she creates.

HOW DID CREATIVITY COME INTO YOUR LIFE?

I always knew but I was scared to start, but suddenly everything came my way and it’s been easy and beautiful. I would hesitate a lot to just put myself out there in terms of my art but I was like meh screw it! And booooom my first collab was with Sufjan Stevens.

YOU WORK ON DIGITAL VISUALS FOR MUSIC ARTISTS, WHO HAVE YOU CREATED VISUALS FOR?

Thundercat, Hiatus Kaiyote, Andy Stott, Sufjan Stevens, The Free Nationals, James Holden, Calibre, Actress

YOU’VE TALKED ABOUT READING PEOPLE'S ENERGY AND BEING ABLE TO SEE PEOPLE’S AURA’S. TALK TO US A LITTLE ABOUT THAT. WHAT DO AURAS LOOK AND FEEL LIKE AND HOW DOES THIS AFFECT YOUR ART AND CREATIVE PROCESS?

I love reading people’s auras! It feels like floating color blobs around people. I’m an extrovert so I tend to talk to everyone and just be like: hey your aura is this color! And I’ve met some amazing people because of that. Sometimes I even create visuals based on the feelings felt when meeting strangers.

HOW DOES NATURE INSPIRE YOU?

I think nature is something we take for granted. It’s always there but once you realize how it has its own energy or colors or shapes it’s just a different world.

HOW DOES COLOR IMPACT AND INSPIRE YOUR WORK AND CREATIVE PROCESS?

I love using really bright colors or combinations of bright colors. I always try to use the tones when the sun reflects into the water! They are never the same. If you move slightly the color combination will be completely different.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE COLOR? AND WHY?

Yes! Green! The color of change and nature!

WHAT DOES STITCHED DIFFERENT MEAN TO YOU?

Always being true to yourself no matter what. Creating and having fun. Always trusting your intuition and letting it guide you!

HOW DID THE COLLECTION WITH STANCE COME ABOUT?

To be honest I don’t even know how you guys found me but I’m glad you did! There were a couple of conversations and then BOOM…my collection of socks and t-shirts were out.

WHAT INSPIRED YOUR COLLECTION WITH STANCE?

Summer, flowers and the colors around me!

WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU? WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON THAT YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT?

That’s what I’m trying to answer too! But trying to just go with the flow and trust my intuition. Maybe a move to London?

WHERE CAN OUR AUDIENCE LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU?

My Instagram or google lol? but more so my Instagram. If you want to send me a message I’m always happy to talk!