Melanie Stimmell Van Latum
A Graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Melanie Stimmell Van Latum has had quite the career. Though you wouldn't guess it by viewing her amazing 3D and Renaissance style street paintings, Melanie has the incredible cool factor of spending 8 years working on the iconic series South Park! Starting out as a Lead Technical Director on the feature film, 'South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut', creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone then asked her to join the very popular Comedy Central series where she oversaw the transition from infamous paper cutouts to flawless digital animations.
"During a summer hiatus from South Park I began street painting for fun and instantly fell in love. The asphalt became my home each summer until I made the decision to leave South Park to work full time as a street painter & fine artist."
Melanie quickly became a leader in the Street Painting world - a 'maestra madonnara' (master street painter) - the only woman ever to hold this prestigious title in two countries (Italy and Germany). During her 14 years as a street painter extraordinaire, she has been awarded Gold medals and 1st place awards in Europe's most prestigious competitions to become one of the worlds most decorated street painters. She has worked with clients in Turkey, Holland, UK, France, Canada, The Dutch Antilles, and throughout the US and has consulted, painted, and held workshops for chalk painting events all over the world.
In January of 2012, Melanie and partners Julie Kirk Purcell and Remco Van Latum developed a Street Painting Company called We Talk Chalk. Focused on providing 3D street painting and visual art solutions for clients all over the world, We Talk Chalk has worked with clients such as Coors, Kraft, Verizon, VW, and Aramco Saudi Arabia in its first year.
If that wasn't enough to keep Melanie busy... In addition to her work as a professional street painter and Fine Artist, Melanie is also a strong supporter of Arts in Education and Therapy. On the Education Roster for the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the Los Angeles Music Center, she has lead workshops and residencies in Italian Street Painting and Oil Painting, (the first elementary school oil painting class in Southern California) in elementary schools throughout Southern California. As part of her evolution through our current educational climate, Melanie developed a Collaborative Teaching Residency for a high school in South Central Los Angeles via the Los Angeles Music Center. A high risk school with root problems with gangs and drugs, she taught side by side with faculty to integrate the arts into their everyday curriculum. Using Street Painting as a vehicle, Melanie developed a 12 week program to aid teachers in engaging troubled teens within their Small Learning communities. When she began receiving requests for street painting workshops at schools in other states and countries, Melanie developed the Street Painting Academy, through which she offers students of all ages the opportunity to learn this 500 year old Italian tradition..
Revitalizing Corporations with Renaissance Artistry
Why Corporations Choose Melanie's 3D Street Painting
Top 10 Reasons for Corporations to Commission 3-D Street Painting and Fine Art
1. Promote any aspect of your business - from your newest product to your latest service.
2. Create a temporary 3D street painting as an advertisement.
3. Commission a permanent piece to promote your company.
4. Add Renaissance art to your corporate art collection.
5. Draw spectators to the 3D street painting event and your business.
6. Be seen as an innovative company who embraces new ideas.
7. Associate yourself with versatility - ever-changing, finding new ways, moving towards the future.
8. Show your appreciation for the arts. A successful company wants to seen in a positive light.
9. Benefit from the publicity. Melanie is available for interviews about each project.
10. Continue to benefit from the publicity. Melanie offers 'Live Streaming'*(web, video, photography) of every event.
Who Is Melanie Stimmell Van Latum?
Born and raised in LA
Earned her BFA in illustration at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA
Earned a Masters in Drawing and Painting from Cal State Fullerton
Lead Technical Director for the feature film 'South Park' ..Bigger, Longer, and Uncut'
Worked on the popular television show 'South Park' for seven years
1998 - Discovered a love of 3D street painting in her downtime
Attended international street painting festivals and events as the feature artist
Developed a client base for street painting in Turkey, France, Holland, Canada, and throughout US
Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and Pastel Society of the West Coast
Gold medals* - list of awards - only woman to receive the title of 'maestra madonnara' (Italy & Germany)
2008 - Founded the Street Painting Society – international community for street painters and fans
2008 - Created a tutorial Photoshop Painting DVD & street painting DVD with Planet Street Painting
2009 - Directed a reproduction of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling on the streets of London, Canada.
Founded the Street Painting Academy to teach children about this time-honored tradition
Displayed her work at prominent Southern California Galleries
Gained recognition for her uncanny ability to portray classical, feminine imagery and perfect skin tones
Introduced 'Live Streaming' ** with her projects - video, web, photography
Works with a network of artists and professionals - artists, videographers, web designers, photographers,..
Loyal supporter of various non-profit organizations
AWARDS
2010 Gold Medal, Incontro Nazionale Madonnari, Grazie di Curtatone, Italy
2010 1st Place, Dutch Open Championship, Valkenburg, Holland
2010 3rd Place, Peoples Choice Award, Valkenburg, Holland
2008 3rd Place, Dutch Open Championship, Valkenburg, Holland
2008 Peoples Choice Award, Les Craies d'Azur, Nice, France
2006 Bronze Medal, Madonnari Festival, Grazie di Curtatone, Italy
2004 1st Place, Strassenmaler Competition, Geldern, Germany
2003 1st Place, Strassenmaler Competition, Geldern, Germany
2003 Gold Medal, Madonnari Festival, Grazie di Curtatone, Italy
2002 Gold Medal, Madonnari Festival, Grazie di Curtatone, Italy
Looking for an Innovative Approach to Advertising?
Use Renaissance artistry in an innovative campaign - a combination of Baroque imagery and 'Live Streaming.' Melanie employs modern technology to get your company's message out to the public. She uses web, video, and photography to capture the street painting event.
The client and audience can view the whole process - 'live' from any location. Melanie and her professional team can embed the video (live stream) on your company website, advertise it on melaniestimmell.com, or upload the event to YouTube. 'Live Streaming' can be used to boost your business and impress your media-savvy customers.
Looking for a Versatile Artist to Collaborate with your Company?
Melanie epitomizes versatility. A Renaissance Artist Who Worked On 'South Park!'
It Doesn't Get Any More Versatile Than That!
Commission Melanie Stimmell Van Latum for your Corporate or Private Renaissance Art Project
Visit Melanie's Fine Art Gallery: www.MelanieVanLatum.com
