I'm Mel, almost 40 years old. I'm originally from South Shore of Montreal. I was in the military for 10 years, until I got sick, it forced me to stay home. After not being able to do what I used to be able to do, I needed to reinvent myself.
What is art to you personally? A way of expressing myself, helping me dealing with anxiety, meditation.
Why do you create? What is your spark? For me it's like meditating. Time stop, only me, myself and my art.
Tell us about the progress you've made since you first started There is tons, from finding wholesalers, learning social media, website, the creation are getting betters.
Who/what are your biggest influences? There is a lot of wreath makers, a lot of them are empowered women, who have businesses and family.
How have your life experiences influenced your art style? There is nothing that really influenced the art. But I try to see what is trending it is quite important in my type of business.
If you had all the resources in the world (time, money, etc) would you still make the kind of art you make? We talk about this all the time ! Of course yes, it would just get bigger with an amazing store and social program for the community. Big green house, a café and probably the flower farm.
What does success mean to you? Seeing in my girls eyes are they are proud of me.
Were you born an artist or made an artist? Definitely born artist, from far as I can remember I was creating, drawing, in any way possible.
What is your favorite tool/thing to work with? When I do wood burning. It is really satisfying.
Name a material that you refuse to work with. There is none, I like a good challenge and reinvent myself. I think it is important as there is a lot of wreath makers. You need to be different and add your own signature.
Which of the pieces you've created is your favorite? I have so many, all the custom one. Some are for very happy event in life like birth and some are for grieving families. I feel very connected with my clients, and I'm really grateful they are choosing us to be part of their journey.
How have you developed your career? I kinda have been force to use my second nature in a way. It's more about resilience.
How have other artists influenced your work? With the new generation of artist on social media, I've learned from many watching videos.
How would you describe your aesthetic? Very eclectic, I can go from very romantic to very clean modern line.
What is your favorite genre of art? I love painting, especially the impressionist movement. But honestly I really love every type of art, from music, books, sculptures, name it.
What are your hobbies? Anything with nature, camping with my family, reading, listening to music.
If you were a canvas, what would be your color palette? Pastel, everything is soft and calm, very recomforting.
What is the hardest part of running your own business? Being structured.
Who is your dream collaborator? A flower company, or I should say a flower farm so I can create more dried flower wreath.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Seeing my business growing, maybe a retail shop- in 10 years I see my girls working with me and creating other products.
What advice would your current self give your beginner self? Make some mistakes and it's okay to do so, this is how you learn.
How did you come up with your business name? I used to live in Lima, Peru. Ludy for 'ludique'' in French and Lima for the city.
Describe your creative process It's usually very impulsive, I have days where ideas are popping from everywhere in my head and I need to create absolutely.
A newspaper article is written about you. What is the headline? A family business, Ludylima, helps autistic teenagers to get experience at a local shop.
Which of your habits help and which hinder your creativity? Walking on a trail and looking at nature is really helping in the creation process. I need to be careful with social media.
What is your favorite painting or sculpture? Young Girl Reading, or The Reader, is an 18th-century oil painting by Jean-Honoré Fragonard. A canvas was in my grandparents house, it is now in mine. Thinking of them every day.
How much of your life inspires what you make? Every season and occasion of my life inspires my creation. For my clients, and the custom creation it is more about their taste and what inspire them in life.
Who is your inspiration business-wise? Sara Blakely, is an amazing businesswoman, her path is just amazing. Hardworking woman.
Why do you think small businesses are important? They are the heart of a community. They are involved in local community life and represent what we like about our cities.