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We first came across Melina Cossío’s work at Mississauga City Hall during a cultural festival. Her contemporary interpretation of urban landscapes caught the attention of many visitors; it appeared to facilitate a subtle dialogue between movement, memory, and place.
Born in Tapachula in the southernmost Mexican state of Chiapas, Melina grew up surrounded by deep Indigenous roots, ancient pyramids and the pacific coast. Tapachula is a place where tropical landscapes meet the rhythm of migration and cultural exchange.
“My earliest memories are of dense greenery, humid air, and the balance between cultivated land and wild growth,” says Melina. “These sensations fascinated me — how human presence shapes and coexists with nature.”
Life in her hometown soon presented challenges, particularly the lack of opportunities for young people. "At fourteen, I had to leave home and move to a bigger city in search of a better future," she recalls. "That was when the true journey began. I embraced freedom and change, becoming a self-taught, resilient and curious nomad.”
Since then, her path has taken from Mexico to Finland, Chile and now Canada. Each place has shaped her perspective and influenced her work. Finland introduced her to minimalism and openness. Chile’s dramatic landscapes inspired texture and contrast. In Canada, she balances vastness with intimacy, weaving these influences into what she calls her hybrid visual language.
Roads, railways, and light often feature in her paintings as metaphors for connection and transition. They show stillness and motion, reflecting the fluidity of time, identity and space.
“They’re traces of human intention. They’re reminders that everything is temporary yet connected.”
For Melina, observation lies at the heart of her creative process — the quiet pause before the first brushstroke. “That’s when I feel most present,” she says. “Light, atmosphere, and hidden stories begin to reveal themselves.”
A collector once described one of her railway paintings as “a portrait of time.” “I painted it to remind myself that letting go can lead to brighter horizons,” she recalls. “Knowing it gave someone else hope gave my work new meaning.”
Melina’s sense of observation extends beyond the studio. “Whenever I arrive in a new city, my first ritual is to jump on random buses with no plan or map,” she laughs. “It feels like a moving sketchbook where I absorb the moods and discover hidden places. If there’s a train, even better; watching the scenery shift through the window always sparks my imagination. It helps me to stay curious and inspired.” Through these small acts, Melina transforms everyday motions into visual poetry, finding beauty in fleeting moments and meaning in movement.
When she encounters creative blocks, she turns to nature for inspiration. "I take my paints outside," she says. "The light, the breeze, even city sounds bring me back. Each time, I return feeling recharged and grateful for the simple gift of creation.”
Melina’s upcoming exhibition will take place at the following venues:
- Pazan Gallery – October 1 to December 31, 2025
- Lakeshore Art Trail – October 18 to 19, 2025
- Necessary Arts Collective, Guelph – January 13 to 31, 2026
Melina is an active member of Visual Arts Mississauga, the Artists' Network Toronto, the Mississauga Arts Council and the Sauga Arts HUB. She also contributes to the Sauga Plein Air Group and the Art Trendz Collective, serving as an art juror and workshop instructor to help strengthen her local creative community.
Explore more of Melina’s work at www.melinacossio.com or follow her on Instagram @melinacossio_artist. For commissions or sales inquiries, please contact melinacossio@gmail.com
For blog inquiries, contact social@cantoocity.com.
