(b. 1963)
Mel
Rivera has always been interested in art. At first, his interest was drawn to
Native American art. In high school he began to carve and even had an exhibit
of his work. While attending New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, he put
his art aside to focus on his business courses. But after graduation he found
he missed the creative process and started painting and sculpting. For a while Rivera made "Ben Ortega style" bultos such as Saint Francis. One of his customers ordered one of these figures but requested that Rivera put a cross in the figure's hand. He did so and made a small cross with straw appliqué. Rivera says that piece led him to start doing straw appliqué.
Now, Rivera grows his own wheat straw and waits for it to achieve the right depth of color before he harvests it. He uses lighter colored straw for faces because "faces have to look like faces." He gives equal attention to the draping of clothing. "You have to give them movement," he says.
His Santa Cruz, featured in Arte y Amistad highlights the numerous design elements Rivera uses in his borders and figures. In the upper right section, he has even included a deer inspired by renowned Native American painter Pablita Velarde. In addition to creating art, Rivera runs the Nambé Trading Post founded by his grandparents. For years Rivera collected Native American art but got to the point where he had too many pieces. He now collects retablos by Hispanic artists.
