The Rythmic Language of our Community

“Through this mural concept, the underlining theme is the importance of music and other key elements that shape our community. By honoring Jazz through the representation of Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis we are bringing forward history. Jazz holds a cultural importance to fashion, poetry and even the civil rights movement. Through the metro bus illustration, it highlights how our people are itinerant and how public transportation has helped us navigate our way through education, employment and to the security of our homes. Nature is represented through our native flowers like the blue eyed grass, the Douglas iris, and the California poppy. Other flowers like the rose that are common among our local vendors and lastly the Mexican marigold which is used in celebration to honor the dead. Lastly, I wanted to honor our youth through programs and organizations like APCH.”

Melissa Rodriguez, Is a 29 year old artist/mother who loves to document life in any medium. A recent Cal State University Long Beach Studio Arts Major graduate (Class of 2023.) She has experimented with both wet and dry media which include: oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastels, graphite, digital, and even metal sculpting. The purpose in the work I create is to portray the subject in a way that mirrors the realities of life. Which brings me to my favorite subject to draw - the human body. Her favorite person to draw is my son, not only is he my inspiration behind every work but also a reminder of how important influence is. She is excited to be a part of this new endeavor, more so in being part of talented creatives that will help beautify our community and to inspire our growing youth.