Life and Work with Melanie Bindon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Bindon.

Melanie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been a creator, constantly playing with what is to make up stories of what could be. Obsessed with magical realism and fantasy, I grew up reading, dancing, and experimenting. I’ve always wanted to know the how and more importantly, the why behind everything. I love using my hands to make something that never existed before and I practiced this over and over through camps and classes and degrees. My love for sharing this learning with others started when I was a kid teaching other kids how to pinch the clay or take a deep breath when they were upset. I was involved in many organizations and activities which allowed me to gain experience in mentoring other learners around me. These experiences guided me to begin studying at Tyler School of Art and eventually to my BFA in Art Education from Metropolitan State University and my teaching license.

After graduation, I began chasing my dreams to be an artist and an educator in equal measure. That summer, I became a Design & Build intern at the Museum of Outdoor Arts where I was able to collaborate with a cohort of emerging artists. I built ties to the art community here in Denver which later lead me to other opportunities. I learned of how artists in Denver are truly a community that support each other and put all hands in with large projects. Becoming a paraprofessional at Jefferson County Open School in the fall gave me valuable experience in the classroom and was a natural extension from the relationships I built with students and staff during my student teaching at this school. Learning at the Open School reinforced a philosophy of education valuing experiential learning, teaching to the whole child, and nurturing the implicit curiosity in the process of discovering personal passions and understanding.

In my twin passions of learning and teaching, I worked a bazillion jobs at the same time. I taught at Montessori schools and public schools part-time, assisted a puppet maker while learning advanced techniques, practiced lighting and putting together gallery shows as well as writing an art blog for Art Gym Denver, and learned strict organizational skills as Program Director for Digistars: Make a Movie Workshop.

In 2016 I decided to focus more fully on teaching at Denver Public Schools and have begun my 4th year as a full-time art teacher at Mapleton Public Schools this year. Recently I’ve been cosplaying characters of my own devising, face painting at the Rocky Mountain Puppet Palooza, graphic designing logos and posters, live painting with musicians from Estival Hub and building bridges to the immersive theater scene in Denver.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think that most roads only look smooth from a distance. When you are living the minute by minute of chasing all your dreams, you can see each rise and fall. I cannot say that it’s been the easiest path because it’s always been unclear how to progress from where I am, I cannot see further down the path when my feet are planted right here. Ultimately, I’ve realized that being present exactly where I am is the most beneficial thing to my journey. Whether I’m trying to cram in as much as I can fit into my day or I am perfectly in the flow of creating and sharing I strive to be in the exact moment I’m at. I want to tackle this part that I can hold in my hand and touch and manipulate into a great lesson plan or a visual exploration. My advice to artists beginning their journey is to value the beginning. Chase your curiosities, find your passions, and show up to do the work. Eventually the muse finds you, but she has to catch you working. The same is true of opportunities and communities. The more you show up and are present, the more you can nurture into being.

Please tell us about Playful Mirrors.
Through a cathartic recreation of ambiguous reveries, my artwork connects memories to imaginative contexts. My emotive endeavors depict ways that ancient mythologies influence contemporary childhood experiences. Allegorical in nature, the fabrication of unrealities depict the use of imagination and exaggeration as a means of escape. My art plays with the stories we are told as we drift off to bed and the ones we witness play out in our waking lives. Never satisfied with the limitations of a specific media, I am constantly pushing the boundaries of how I can show visual stories. I create with paintings, cast sculptures, pop up cards, character building, performances, and photography.

There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Finding mentors has been extremely influential to my growth as both an artist and educator. My mentors have come from opportunities I sought and have lead me to other opportunities that might have passed me by. My advice is to figure out what you are passionate or curious about and find a way to get involved. These opportunities might be a random meetup from a social media source, a  larger event where you can meet and talk to others who work in your field, or something you apply for such as an internship or job. When you are there, share your excitement and questions with those around you. In my experience, mentors are excited to see others who want to learn and develop their craft, who share a common connection through what they love to do. Realizing I’m surrounded by such a vibrant community of makers is inspiring and leads me to learn new ways of making.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.behance.com/playfulmirrors
• Email: playfulmirrors@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/playfulmirrors
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/playfulmirrors

Image Credit:
Crystal Salas

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