Artist Spotlight: Meli (@BiggieBitesCo)

Meli (she/her) not only uses traditional mediums like acrylics and crafts — she also creates art with food! Let’s get to know her and her (delicious) craft.

Let’s start with the basics: what type of art do you create?

Meli: I would say most of the art I create falls under food art. I still enjoy creating traditional art, such as sculpting, acrylic painting, crafts, and more.

Yum! How did you end up on your art journey, specifically food?

Meli: I’ve always loved art, ever since I was a kid. It was my favorite subject in school, and I’d spend hours at home creating. I would do it all, whether it was drawing, crafting, sculpting clay, or painting. I was always drawn to the creativity in it.

My journey into treat-making began in December 2020. Going through COVID and remote high school, I started baking and and making desserts more often. One day, I stumbled across a video on TikTok about making cake pops and decided to give it a try. They definitely weren’t beautiful or easy to make, but were a hit with friends and family. I wasn’t thinking long-term at the time, just having fun in the kitchen. But then the algorithm started feeding me more videos, like the viral hot cocoa bombs, and chocolate-covered strawberries, and more.

That’s when I thought to myself, maybe I could sell these! It was definitely an impulsive idea LOL, I had no business experience and no clue what I was doing. But over time, as I developed my skills, I realized how much of my art background was influencing the designs and details in my treats. It all came full circle.

Totally feel that! A lot of artists are very entrepreneurial. Now that you’re older, what’s your favorite medium?

Meli: Food. It ranges from edible paint, chocolate, cake, modeling chocolate, and more.

And is this your full-time, or part-time job?

Meli: I create art for my part-time small business, and as a hobby!

What inspires you the most when you create?

Meli: My biggest inspirations would be other treat makers/artists, current trends, video games, “kawaii art”, and more!

We can absolutely get down with cute art! Now, hard question: what’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an artist — and how did you overcome it?

Meli: Although there are many challenges, the first one that comes to mind is charging my worth as an artist! Throughout most of my art journey with my small business, I underpriced my work out of fear that people wouldn’t understand or might judge. I’d spend hours making detailed treats or custom orders, only to realize I was barely charging my worth. It took years, but I slowly started to realize that my time, skill, creativity, and experience deserved fair pricing! It’s still something I’m actively working on, but I’ve come a long way.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their art journey?

Meli: Just start and do what you enjoy! Don’t create with the goal to please others or immediate success, connect with other artists in your community, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Putting yourself out there is the hardest part, but after that just enjoy the journey!

Thank you again for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything fun or random you’d like people to know about you? Perhaps your favorite snack while creating art?

Meli: I have a massive sweet-tooth (who would’ve thought LOL), I’m either working in absolute silence or watching a long YouTube video, and my logo is based on my first hamster, Biggie!

Where can readers find your art?

Meli: I’m most active on Instagram!
@BiggieBitesCo / Facebook