From Blueprint to Brushstroke: The Artful World of Curry Mendes

Curry Mendes is a name synonymous with a vibrant fusion of creativity, where the structured elegance of interior design meets the expressive freedom of fine art. For Curry, these two seemingly distinct disciplines are not just intertwined; they are two sides of the same richly textured coin, each informing and enriching the other. His journey, marked by both formal training and a deep-seated innate talent, reveals a lifelong love affair with beauty, form, and storytelling through visuals.

Curry’s initial foray into the creative world began with a degree in Interior Design from the prestigious Ringling School of Art & Design. While his father initially steered him away from fine art, believing it wouldn’t offer a stable career, Mendes excelled in his chosen field, even earning the “Best of Ringling – Rendering – 1989” award. This foundational education in interior design instilled in him a profound understanding of space, light, functionality, and the psychological impact of environment. He learned to consider flow, proportion, color palettes, and the arrangement of objects to create cohesive and inviting spaces. This disciplined approach to design would later provide a crucial framework for his artistic explorations.

However, the call of fine art was too strong to ignore. Mendes was told by a wise teacher at Ringling that “school does not make someone an Artist and it is a talent that lies within, so just keep doing art all the time and you will have all you seek.” This advice resonated deeply, and even as he embarked on a career in interior design, and later digital illustrating and programming, he continued to cultivate his artistic practice. The tragic events of 9/11 served as a pivotal moment, pushing him to fully embrace his artistic passion and pursue it with renewed purpose.

It’s in his fine art that Mendes truly unleashes his boundless creativity. Known for his captivating portraits, often of iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe and Lucille Ball, Mendes employs a unique digital medium, a process he fully embraced in 2002. This innovative approach allows him an “endless array of colors” and “endless possibilities for design.” He’s a storyteller through portraiture, using color and form to evoke emotions and narratives. His large-format pieces, some as grand as 7 feet by 4.5 feet, make a powerful statement, transforming spaces with their vibrant presence. He delights in the freedom of coloring outside the lines, allowing his artistic process to unfold organically, often describing it as a “form of meditation.”

The interplay between his design sensibilities and artistic vision is evident in his public art. Mendes has created notable murals, including a 15-foot by 15-foot mural of Marilyn Monroe at Lulu California Bistro in Palm Springs, an artwork that perfectly marries his love for iconic imagery with his ability to create visually impactful pieces for public spaces. His work for various establishments, from restaurants to hotels, further showcases his knack for integrating art seamlessly into designed environments.

For Curry Mendes, interior design isn’t just about arranging furniture, and fine art isn’t just about creating a pretty picture. Both are avenues for expressing a profound love for beauty, for creating experiences, and for enriching lives through visual storytelling. His journey is a testament to the idea that true creative passion knows no boundaries, allowing an artist to seamlessly transition between the worlds of structured design and expressive art, making each discipline stronger and more impactful in the process.