Interview
Melody Corado
Melody Monet is an artist born and raised in Los Angeles whose passion for timeless elegance was shaped by stories from scripture, the beauty of the old world, and the works of Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, whose paintings have inspired her since childhood. At 26, Melody’s background in performing arts and entrepreneurship has deeply influenced the way she creates. While still pursuing her studies, Melody has explored several artistic business ventures over the years, from selling her work at local markets to building creative projects rooted in storytelling and faith. Her journey transformed profoundly after studying abroad in Paris, France last July, where she had the privilege of standing before the masterpieces housed in the Musée d'Orsay and visiting Monet's home and studio in Giverny, France. There, she was inspired to paint water lilies in the same gardens that once inspired Monet himself. Each piece she creates is infused with quiet luxury, old-world romance, and intentional storytelling. Through portraiture and architectural illustration, she hopes to create works that speak to the soul - carrying themes of beauty, faith, resilience, and spiritual awakening.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I'm 26 years old, and my journey in the arts began with a foundation in performing arts-singing, dancing, photography, and writing. My first spark was fashion design when I was selected for a program in 6th grade. Yet, after years of struggle, I stepped away as if time stood still while my talents and gifts were placed on a dusty shelf for years. Until at 18 during one of the most difficult seasons on my life, God remained my constant. My mom encouraged me to take a painting class and that ignited the spark of transformation. It was the beginning of a snowball effect to more classes, painting and entrepreneurship. I went to an entrepreneurship high school, and I come from a long line of successful businesswomen. My great grandparents and great aunt have passed but their daughters and their children are still thriving today. Through every trial, God was and still is my anchor. He lifted me from the lowest pits, and now, especially after my Paris study abroad trip this past July. This spark to continue creating and starting my business Élégance Créative is stronger than ever, shaping who I am today.”
What inspires you?
“What inspires me most is my faith in God that has carried me through every season of life. My mom and church family shaped me and every day I'm inspired by small wonders. The sky, a single flower, the birds that soar or even the way the leaves dance at the brush of the wind. But apart from that, I'm drawn to the old world of grace, royalty, and quiet luxury often forgotten. Each piece I create carries that heirloom quality - a story in every stroke. It's not just the art but the power of each image to speak volumes, to move hearts, and to tell a story that I believe can move mountains.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The themes I pursue are deeply shaped by my experience in Paris and the visions I receive in prayer. Each piece is a call to spiritual awakening. An invitation and reminder of God's deep love for us but also the fatherly warnings as a call to stay on the path for those who need a nudge. I create with the hope that every image speaks to the soul, reminding us all that we are chosen, loved, guided with care, and never alone.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is a delicate dance between architectural grandeur and intimate portraiture, rendered in charcoal. Each piece carries a quiet, reflective elegance evoking both timelessness of historic spaces and the depth of human expression. My hope is that each piece of artwork invites stillness, wonder, and a deep sense of connection.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I am deeply influenced by the impressionistic mastery of Claude Monet, the refined elegance of Édouard Manet, and the vibrant humanity of Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Their use of light, texture, and emotion inspires me to capture both the stillness and the vitality in my own work. Especially in Renoir's work, the hope, love, and joy radiating from his pieces, combined with Monet's deep urge to magnify the beauty of the natural world, all fuel my own pursuit of capturing timeless beauty.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process begins in stillness. I pause; I pray and invite God to guide me. I ask him what needs to be created, what stories need a voice, and what truth needs to be magnified. Each step is a conversation - so my process is really a dance between faith, reflection, and allowing space for what God wants to reveal.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“As an artist, I believe my role is to invite people to pause, reflect, and see the world and themselves more deeply. I see that evolving as more creatives return to traditional methods-picking up paper and pencil to create with a sense of authenticity and intimacy. While the digital world expands, this return to the tactile creation grounds us, allows us to slow down, rediscover beauty in each line, and build a more personal connection with our audience.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Yes, I have an upcoming exhibition this July, titled ‘Parisienne Rêverie: Portraits and Architectural Whispers.’ I created this exhibition as a love letter to my study abroad in Paris. It's a chance to honor God's 18-year promise to bring me to Europe, the people I've encountered who have become a part of my beautiful friend group and the places that shaped me. Each piece in inspired by the moments of stillness, awe, and beauty I experienced. I hope it invites others to pause and dream with me. For more details, you can follow the link here.”
Website: www.elegancecreative.studio
Instagram: @elegancecreative_
Other links: www.tiktok.com/@melodymonet_27
