Malinda Prudhomme
“Preeti Sapphire Indian Bride”

Interview with artist Malinda Prudhomme —

1. Who are you and what do you do?
Hi! I’m Malinda Prud’homme and I’m a full-time Mixed Media and Portrait Artist working from my cozy little studio in Toronto’s Art & Design District. The focus of my work is female portraiture as I hope to express that ALL women are beautiful regardless of age, size, ethnicity, or personal style.

“True Beauty – Delena Providence”

2. Why art?
I’ve always loved making things with my hands. I’ve been making art since I was toddler but when I was young I also loved to weave, crochet, knit, make jewelry, carve soap, make crafts, and all sorts. In Secondary School I took a woodworking class, being super excited to get my hands on power tools, however the teacher, seeing a goth girl full of jewelry, relied on his prejudice and suggested I reconsider the course. I completed that course with the highest grade in the class. I loved it, despite the torture I received from my peers. There’s something about being able to create something beautiful from nothing that really sings to my soul.

But for me, art is the best form of creation. I can literally create anything I want on the canvas and what I create can also carry a strong message. I think that’s what makes me so passionate about making art. I know I’m creating something not only beautiful but empowering as well.

“The 20s Reborn”

3. What is your earliest memory of wanting to be an artist?
I’ve always loved art, and had a knack for it, but it never seemed like a plausible dream so I didn’t allow myself to want to be an artist. Well I mean, yes, when I was a kid I wanted to be a singer, model, teacher, actress, librarian, zoo keeper, and of course an artist. But the community I grew up in didn’t celebrate the arts very much and so it didn’t seem like a thing you’d realistically want to be. I decided to be a Teacher and although I worked really hard at that, there were no teaching jobs available once I graduated. I had a bit of a inner crisis during this time. It seemed really unfair that someone who had worked as hard as I had, who had gone above and beyond, didn’t get the realistic job of their dreams. Eventually I decided to give the dream I’d never dared consider a real go. I figured I’d go above and beyond working towards the career I believe I was born for and so far it’s worked out for me.

“Viridian Indian Beauty”

4. What are your favorite subject(s) and media(s)?
My favourite subject is stunningly varied female beauty. Even after years of working on this subject my passion for it only seems to grow. I have too many ideas for new works inside my head I feel it might explode. My favourite mediums are acrylic and oil paint, as well as metallics, gems, and pearls.

5. How do you work and approach your subject?
It definitely depends on the piece or series I’m working on. If I’ll be making up the woman featured in my work (which doesn’t happen very often) I’ll search for a variety of reference images to help me make up my final composition. If I know the series will represent real women I’ll come up with my thesis or artist statement for the project and then release a call for beauty throughout my social media sites. Sometimes I’ll choose my muses at random and sometimes I choose those I feel will best suit the project. Then, depending on the piece/series, I’ll use photoshop to put together intricate details of my composition and/or crop and print out my reference images. Then I begin the drawing on kraft paper or white paper if the piece is small. Once I have all the details pretty much exactly where I want them (using a ruler or a grid if things are quite complicated) I’ll then transfer my drawing onto the canvas.

“True Beauty – Danielle St. Laurent”

6. What are your favorite art work(s), artist(s)?
My favourite artwork is “The Birth Of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli. I absolutely love his work but this one has touched me since I was a teenager and when I saw it in person in Italy I became even more in love with it. Other favourite artists include Michelangelo and pop artist Andy Warhol.

“Golden Indian Bride”

7. What are the best responses you have had to your work?
I’ve had some really lovely responses and comments about my work. I love when people comment on how realistic it is but the best is when someone points out why it’s uniquely beautiful. My style doesn’t attempt to be photo realistic but rather balance realism with smooth skin, bold lines, and bright colours. When someone is in awe of my work and they mention that balance it makes me feel so very happy.

“See With Your Soul”

But truly the best responses are when people feel inspired to change how they feel about themselves because of my work. Women have been conditioned by our society to feel so much negativity towards their body, looks, and so much more. I use my work in hopes of making women see that their beauty lies in their uniqueness, not how well they fit into the societal norm for beauty. When a woman tells me that my work has helped them learn to be kinder to themselves that is by far the most amazing feeling to me as an artist.

8. What do you like about your work?
I love the message behind my work and the variety of female beauty you can see when the whole collection is presented. I’ve also grown to love my style. I love the smooth creamy realism paired with strategically placed bold lines and bright colours. It’s taken me years to form what I believe to be a unique style of portraiture, and I’m sure it will continue to morph as the years move on, but I’m pleased with where I’ve come.

“True Beauty – Katrina Schaman”

9. What advice would you give to other artists?
My advice to any artist who would like to make a career out of their work is to SHARE it as much as possible. Even if you haven’t come up with your signature style yet or even your preferred subject matter or medium, post your progress online and let your audience grow as you grow. People love to see your style and your career morph over time. Remember that not everything has to be polished and perfect to be shared with your audience. Let them know when things go wrong; be real. I believe it’s this lack of fear in sharing my work that has allowed me to thrive earlier in my career than most. I started using social media to share my artwork when I was doing my minor in University and have kept up with it consistently ever since. It is a lot of work, more work than creating the art itself, no joke, but it is worth it.

“Cheeky Beauties”

10. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
I try not to plan too much for the future but rather enjoy every little victory as it comes. I would like to be making a more solid living as an artist and perhaps exhibiting more frequently overseas. I’m hoping to have worked my way up to a wage that allows me to focus more time on making original art, finding inspiration, traveling, and enjoying time with my husband. I’m a simple person in that way. I don’t lust over fame and fortune, just a cozy life doing the thing I was meant to do.

Malinda Prudhome

LINKS —

Website:  www.MalindaPrudhomme.com
Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/MalindaPrudhomme
Instagram:  www.Instagram.com/MalindaPrudhomme
Twitter:  www.Twitter.com/MalindaArt
Pinterest:  www.Pinterest.com/MalindaArt
Shop:  www.MalindaPrudhomme.Etsy.com
Blog:  www.MalindaPrudhomme.Blogspot.com