Since discovering the site Etsy last year, I’ve found so many amazing artists with unique works. Melissa Nucera is one artist I’ve fallen in love with. By using photo-manipulation she creates these romantic pictures that I, as a romance writer, can’t help but adore. Whimsical, thoughtful, and beautiful I was immediately reminded of a Pre-Raphaelite painting when I saw her work. And the best thing is that they’re totally affordable. And lucky for us, she’s added pendants to her line!
Join me in welcoming Melissa to the blog!
Name: Melissa Nucera
Company Name: ThisYearsGirl (etsy)
Discuss your art, your preferred medium. What’s your process like?
I am a digital artist specializing in photo-manipulation.
Photo manipulation is the application of image editing techniques to photographs in order to create an illusion or deception (in contrast to mere enhancement or correction), through analog or digital means. The resulting image may have little or no resemblance to the photo (or photos in the case of compositing) from which it originated. (as defined by wikipedia.org)
I love to explore the ethereal, the surreal, the whimsical, and the mysterious through my photo manipulations. I try to create my own little dream worlds.
I usually just start with one photo I like. Then I start adding to it, trying different things and playing around until I’m satisfied enough to call it done. Sometimes I have an idea of what I want the outcome to be, but most of the time it just evolves as I work.
A lot of my artwork is the result of experimenting with the programs and asking myself ‘ I wonder if I can do this…..?’ and I love finding out if I can 🙂
Where do you get your pictures and the models for your photos?
Do you remember your first sale?
I don’t rem
ember what my first print sale was, but I do remember the great feeling. I still feel it now whenever I have a sale. It makes me so happy that anyone would like what I do enough to buy it.
Where do you get your inspiration and when do you work?
I probably get the most inspiration from looking at other people’s art work, which I do a lot.
When I see something I love it inspires me to create something myself.
I have a full time job and an (almost) 2 year old so finding time for my own art is challenging now. I usually end up working very late at night, or at work when things are slow.
Who are your favorite artists?
This is always a hard question, I have so many! here are just a few:
Illustrator: Anne Julie Aubry
Photmaniupulation: Michał Karcz
Painter: Rozi Demant
What advice can you give aspiring artists? 
For digital artists I would say first: Practice, Practice, Practice! Learn the programs, take a class, read tutorials, know your stuff.
Once you do that I say: create art for yourself and enjoy it. Do what you love, not what you think someone else will love.
Of all the pieces you’ve done, do you have a favorite?
I love them all as I’m creating them, and my favorite piece of the moment is usually my latest – so that would be ‘The Queen’
What do you do when you’re not working? Any hobbies?
I actually do consider my art my hobby 🙂 and again with a 2 year old most my free time is spent doing things with her, which I love.
Other than that I love a good movie, particularly anything sci-fi, horror, or fantasy.
Who are some of your favorite authors/books?
Some of my favorite authors are Neil Gaiman, Alice Hoffman, francesca lia block & Anne Rice.
A couple of my favorite books are White Oleander and Orlando, and I do love a good paranormal romance book 🙂
Where can we find you on the web? (website, facebook, etc.)
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThisYearsGirl
Fey Handmade: http://shop.feyhandmade.com/collections/vendors?q=Melissa+Nucera
Blog: http://www.januarywish.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JanuaryWish
A special thanks to Melissa for stopping by.
5×5 Print of “In The Garden”
