Melina Joannides, known for her art as MJ Expression or MJ is a self-taught abstract artist in her twenties. MJ’s speciality is using a selection of different mediums including oil bars, acrylic paints and inks. Through each medium she focuses on womanhood combined with nature.

“From a young age I've always enjoyed creating, however, I didn't enjoy how it was taught in school. I felt that the curriculum would place my creativity into a box and contrasted my style which would diminish my art. I didn’t want to sketch something that was perfectly placed in front of me. I wanted to paint my thoughts, my fears my and experiences, which wasn’t always pretty picked flowers, and because of that I wasn’t given much praise for my work.

Going to university was the first time that I had my own space and time that which was truly mine. There was a lot of room and time for thoughts that I’d been running away from and they began catching up. I needed to begin untangling the snowballing knot in my mind. That’s when I picked up my sketchbook and inks, and that’s when I truly began speaking. The piece that came to me that day was Time to Grow (2017).

Something about the delicacy of line work with inks vs the boldness in colours such as black, red and green enticed me.

Soon after, I began experimenting with oil bars. These were the complete opposite to delicate, tidy, single line work. Oil bars are messy, textured and heavy. I found so much room for expression using oil bars especially whilst hand painting. My first few pieces using oil bars: Disguised, Slowly

Even so, I had very little confidence in my work because, to me it wasn’t and isn’t work, it’s my flesh out in the open. I was very secretive with my work and I was reluctant to show friends and family. Not only was it due to my extreme violent vulnerability, it also was that I had no educational certification surpassing a GCSE, which would embarrass me. 

Over time I could see that my art spoke to some people positively, gradually this encouraged me to begin sharing my work and now I’m here.

Ultimately, through my art I have created a path that has led me to my true self. I soon came to a realisation that my art was a way to express words that I could not speak and in this, I found comfort. Art became my expression and my communication with the world and led me to build MJ Expression. My art focuses on my perspective of a subjective take on Womanhood, which is a beautiful battle, and journey. Each final piece is a visual diary entry and upon completion, I have grasped a greater understanding for myself.

We are all on our own path, and all have wounds to heal and to grow from. My art is my main release and helps me to catalyse my experiences, allowing me to translate my feelings on canvas. Through my art I am guided to understand and accept myself. My only intention for sharing my visual diary is your ability to connect and create an individual relationship with a piece, the way you need it to. I hope that my art empowers you, encouraging you to flourish more than you already are.”