R Melinda Hoffman

I am embarking on a deeply personal creative journey, rediscovering the roots of my artistic identity in the sketchbooks, idea journals, and collected objects from my BFA studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the 1980s. Though financial challenges interrupted my education and left me without a degree, the creative spark from that time has been preserved, waiting for my future self to reignite it. Now, in my mid-60s, I don’t view myself as a late bloomer but as someone patient, trusting that the right moment would come. That moment is now. Reconnecting with my past work has unlocked a sense of childlike curiosity and wonder, empowering me to approach my art, design, and photography with fresh eyes and boundless enthusiasm. My practice spans Analog Photography, Mixed Media, Experiential Installations, Body Adornments as Sculpture, and Community Storytelling. These diverse forms allow me to explore and push creative boundaries, crafting work that invites interaction, introspection, and connection. Through exhibitions, workshops, and storytelling, I aim to create spaces where my community can experience the joy of exploration and the power of artistic expression. I am still wondering what I want to be when I grow up, and I’m thrilled to embrace this chapter of artistic evolution, wherever it may lead.

I was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in the gritty, vibrant inner city of Chicago. My passion for creativity led me to The School of the Art Institute, where I studied Art, Photography, and Fashion Design. However, family financial challenges interrupted my journey to obtaining a degree. A summer internship, though, sparked a 30+ year career in fashion, where I thrived as a designer, set builder, art director, visual manager, and buyer. Despite my professional success, my soul yearned for something deeper. I made the bold decision to leave that life behind and forge a new path, creating my own line of leather accessories. This shift supported my adventurous lifestyle as a “road warrior artisan,” traveling across the West Coast and Midwest to showcase my work at shows and markets. Today, I’m rooted in the enchanting landscape of Cerrillos/Madrid, New Mexico, where I live off-grid in a tiny trailer that doubles as my home and studio. Once again, I am answering the call of my soul, returning to the art practices that have always been smoldering in my heart, now ready to burn brightly. With the support of resources like Santa Fe Community College, I’m diving back into analog photography, figure drawing, and process-based exploration. My journey is ongoing—I am a work in progress, always evolving but never truly finished.

2-D, 3-D, Assemblage, Collage/Mixed Media, Photography, Sculpture