It is in the suburb of Richmond Hill that Melissa Tredoux, local artist and Richmond Hill resident, has found her way back to what makes her artistic soul happiest, creating. She is doing so on a large scale, delighting clients and communities with the beauty and versatility of her murals.
Melissa’s love for fine art, and her qualification in performing arts technology, equipped her with the perfect skillset for creating mural art for a variety of projects.
“After having studied performing arts technology, I lived in Cape Town and worked for the Artscape Theatre. I was involved in making amazing sets for film and theatre, and doing location shoots. Even though it is a competitive industry, it was wonderful. Being part of the process of creating something from nothing, meeting such interesting people and experiencing the magical opening nights of theatre productions made it all worthwhile.”
Then ensued almost a decade during which aspects, other than art, took centre stage in Melissa’s life, but the innate pull of her artistic spirit never left her. When she returned to the blank canvas in 2020, her creativity knew no bounds.
“The starting point for doing murals again was when friends in Richmond Hill asked me to paint some wings on one of the exterior walls of their house. Their confidence in me, the happiness it brought and the delight of seeing people taking selfies in front of it, were infectious and so rewarding.”
It is also Melissa’s family that plays a vital role in her belief in herself. Her sister, Melissa, and their mother form a close-knit and supportive female family trio.
“My mum and my sister are my greatest supporters, and of course, my children. I find it my grandest achievement when my children are proud of me and the work I do.”
Friends, neighbours and family are Melissa’s sources of inspiration, and the suburb of Richmond Hill also plays an important role.
“We’ve lived through so many changes in Richmond Hill, and have literally grown with the area. When you’ve had that experience in your immediate neighbourhood it becomes more than a suburb. It becomes home. The sense of community and the way in which people take positive action and support each other with such passion becomes something very close to one’s heart.”
Richmond Hill is fortunate to contain quite a few of Melissa’s art works. Part of the Westbourne Oval Stadium wall features a wall mural by Melissa, reflecting the identity and character of its community. In the local bakery and café, D’Stoep and Ozlo tapas and wine bar. Her wall murals liven up the atmosphere, and add character to these spaces. Also in restaurants, schools and children’s rooms elsewhere in the city – in the form of custom art work, full wall murals, as well as feature walls – Melissa is spreading her artistic magic. It is mainly through word of mouth that knowledge of Melissa’s creative work reaches others.
Recently she has also started her social media page, WOW – Walls of Wonder.
“I see my versatility as an artist as my greatest strength. It enables me to adapt my style to clients’ preferences and varying subject matter. When I was young, I was somehow convinced that I should do something more commercial, even though I was accepted for fine art. This is why I studied performing arts technology, but my passion for fine art has always stayed with me.
She is looking forward to being part of more community initiatives, harnessing the power of art, murals, and the people around her to help to create bright spaces for everyone to enjoy.
As I say goodbye to Melissa and make my way home, I pass by one of her murals. The Heart and Soul of the Bay, it says. With the unique touch of her paintbrush, she brings to the surface of the walls around us the wonder that underpins our daily lives, allowing us to look at the world with new eyes and see the possibilities and glimmers of hope that surround us.
