The Mosgiel Honey House has always been a place where locals and tourists alike come to enjoy the taste of pure, organic honey. But now there is more to enjoy than just the honey! The Honey House has recently undergone a beautiful transformation thanks to the addition of a stunning mural art project. Created by a talented artist - Melisa Nocelli - who is passionate about nature, this mural brings together all the elements that make the Honey House unique. In this blog post, we will take you through all the details of this amazing piece of art, from its creation process to its hidden messages. We'll also discuss how it has impacted the aesthetics of the Honey House and improved footfall. Whether you are an art lover or just someone who appreciates beautiful spaces, you won't want to miss this!
The Good of the Hive Project: An Inspiration
The Good of the Hive Project promotes bee awareness and conservation. Artist Matthew Willey paints 50,000 honeybees to raise awareness about their vital role. Large-scale murals showcase the beauty and importance of bees, symbolising interconnectedness and inspiring action to protect them. Inspired by Matt Willey's work, Office Manager Megan Meade and Owner Operator Stephen Beeby set about finding an artist that could fulfil their transformation.
Below is an interview that Megan conducted with Melisa following the project:
Megan: Where are you from, and how does that affect your work?
Melisa: I'm from Argentina, and I've been living in New Zealand for more than a year and a half. I started travelling because, in my home country, I couldn't find many opportunities for art. Here, I could boost my career way more.
Megan: How many years have you been painting wall art?
Melisa: I've been painting murals for 3 or 4 years, but I believe this last year was the busiest of all.
Megan: Who are your biggest artistic influences?
Melisa: My favorite artists are Martin Ron, from Argentina, Pepa Llama from the USA, and Gina Kiel from New Zealand (I had the honor to see some of her works live!).
Megan: Has your style changed over time?
Melisa: Yes, definitely. I am always evolving and learning. I started with simpler paintings and murals with not many details and realism, and now I am trying to pay more attention to that because I think that small details are the ones that make the mural look stunning in the end.
Megan: What is your favorite medium?
Melisa: For painting, canvas, and for walls, concrete.
Megan: Where do you find inspiration?
Melisa: I find inspiration mostly in nature. That's why I believe that coming to NZ really opened my mind, as it's a country with an amazing diversity of wildlife species and flora. I find inspiration everywhere I go.
Megan: When is your favorite time of day to create?
Melisa: I would say at night. I love grabbing my iPad or my sketchbook and start drawing with some soft music and just flow. It's the perfect time because everything is quiet, and I don't have to rush.
Megan: Describe how art is important to society.
Melisa: Art is crucial in society as it allows us to express our culture, communicate, enjoy beauty, be creative, and feel deeply. It also shows what's happening in our world, stands for resilience, and offers a limitless space for self-expression and imagination.
Megan: What motivates you?
Melisa: What motivates me, is the deep desire to express myself. Art is a form of therapy for me, a way to externalise what's brewing within. I use painting to put my inner feelings onto a canvas. Sometimes, there's no specific subject; I just let the urge to create flow freely.
Megan: How many murals have you painted in New Zealand?
Melisa: I have painted 8 murals in total.
Megan: Is this the first Bee/Honey-themed mural you have created?
Melisa: Yes! And the first one I've painted on a big container surface. Really amazing and challenging project!
Megan: What were the challenges you faced when working on our mural?
Melisa: I believe that one of the biggest challenges I had to face was the weather conditions. It was an outdoor mural, and when painting outside, you have to consider that you are going to face wind, rain, cold, and dust. But nothing that a good jacket and a hot coffee can't handle.
Megan: What is your ultimate career goal?
Melisa: Keep traveling and painting in every place I go. Now, I am leaving NZ and heading to Indonesia and then to Spain, and I would love to have more work opportunities there. I want to leave my mark and contribute to society with my art. Art makes people happy, changes your mood, and serves as a reminder for other artists to keep going.
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