Melissa Salgado

My artist name is “Melicha”, I am a Mexican American artist born and raised in Chula Vista, working all throughout San Diego county. My primary medium is oil and acrylic paint on canvas and wood panels. My work explores themes of vulnerability, nostalgia, the nuances of the human experience and identity. I derive inspiration from nature, anatomy, and my culture. To express the depth and nuances of each piece I create portraits and still lifes with surrealistic symbolism as my subjects. My color palette consists of contrasting cool and warm tones to reflect the duality of subjects and themes being portrayed. The majority of my work explores my roots and digs deep into what past foundations; physical, mental and emotional, build the self. My hope is that the paintings evoke something within the audience and comforts those who interact with my artwork. I believe art is a language of connection between people, places, and emotions and I strive to express this in my paintings.

SDSU Alumni 2019
BA: Fine Art
Hilltop High School, Chula Vista
Imperial Ave “Underground3” Art Show - December 2021
House of Boxing “Underground2” Art Show - October 2021
The Vogue “Underground” Art Show - July 2021
Art Crossing Barrio Logan Art Show - February 2021
LaBodega “The Last Saga” Art Show - December 2019
Art on 30th “C- Note “ Art Show - November 2019
Art on 30th “True Blue” Art Show - August 2019
Art on 30th “ 75 and Sunny” Art Show - July 2019
SDSU Galleries “Futures, Past and Present” Art Show - February 2019
LaBodega “5 Year Anniversary” Skateboard Show - January 2019
SDSD Galleries “The Gun Show” Student Art Show - December 2018
San Diego State Institute “C-note” Art show - November 2018
Thumbprint Gallery “ A Tim Burton Fan Art Show” - October 2018
LaBodega “Perfect 10 Art show” - September 2018
MCASD “25 and Under” Art show - June 2018
SDSU Galleries “Reflux” Student Art Show - April 2018
LaBodega “Mermaid Art Show” - November 2017