Biography
Artist-Designer-Naturalist
Susana Mejía, a Costa Rican artist, draws inspiration from her deep connection with nature. From a young age, her artistic journey began with a fascination for arts and crafts, evolving into a graphic design degree. However, Susana soon discovered that her true passion thrives not in the digital realm but in the tangible, three-dimensional world.
Specializing in utilitarian art, Susana crafts pieces designed for everyday use, elevating the functionality of mirrors, tables, and chandeliers to infuse homes with warmth and playfulness. Her artistic exploration extends across wood, iron, cement, and a vibrant palette of colors.
Susana's creative vision transcends mere aesthetics; it is a harmonious blend of nature and living spaces. Through her unique perspective, she intertwines the organic elements of nature with the everyday, creating a seamless connection that transforms any space into a true home.
Her artistic pursuits mirror the effortless flow of nature's organic and colorful patterns, revealing the magic and wonder of nature with every piece she creates.
Statement
As an artist, my hands and mind play a crucial role in communicating my thoughts, emotions, and ideas to the world while also being mindful of Mother Nature and creating in a conscious, responsible, and sustainable way. I use my hands to bring my imagination to life, creating art pieces and designing spaces that embody my vision of the world.
My art is a powerful fusion of colors, shapes, sweetness, love for nature, imagination, magic, and abundance, where I follow my intuition and use my heart and spirit as guides; it summarizes my essence, where I feel at peace, secure, and at home.
My goal is to evoke my energy, warmth, coziness, and playfulness, along with nature's energy, into a new manifestation of energy, a new piece. Through my art pieces, designs, and spaces, I invite you to explore, feel, and experience my purest expression of love, my connection to the universe, to nature, my inner child, and my unique perspective on the world. Provide you a safe space. My safe space.
Exhibitions
Bienal Iberoamericana 2020
Madrid Spain,November 2020
Forces of Nature a collection of 5 tables inspired by nature.
“When appreciating the living world, we can’t help but sigh and wonder at its magnificence, we never doubt this perfection, we are 100% sure about it, but when looking at ourselves and our own creations, we can’t seem to stop looking for the flaws, defects, our imperfection and what didn’t go the right way. When in reality we are part of the same matter of creation and are perfect as we are”.
Resume
Cafe de los Deseos
Designer and creator / Restaurant entrepreneur / Business owner / Business manager
2010-2021
Founder and partner of the restaurant. The lead designer of the interior and menu design. Hospitality Manager: delivered the best experience for customers looking for international gastropub standards. Operations Manager: strategic planning, taxes, government permits, purchases, events, social media, and payroll.
Leading a 10 FTE
$250K in gross sales per year
24k paid-customers per year
60k followers in social media
Top 10 Lonelyplanet’s 2019 restaurants in San José Trip Advisor’s 2017 Certificate of Excellence
$2.5 M gross sales total
20% revenue margin
https://www.instagram.com/cafedelosdeseos/
Artist
Artist / Interior designer / Conceptual designer
2010-today
Currently accepting design projects, from concept design to interior design.
Digital Arbor
Project manager
January 2010-December 2010
In charge of all direct communications with the client, meetings, requirements and making sure the delivery of the campaigns where in perfect shape an on time.
Schematic
Senior designer
February 2007 - December 2009
Great experience with advertising and online content development, helping the creative team to deliver the agency’s creative products for Dell among other brands. I was involved in the ad campaign process giving creative direction, work on schedule and meet client’s expectations.
Avventa
Project Manager
September 2004 - January 2007
Multi-task manager, following up on creative projects. Contact the customer, gather requirements, and knowledge transfer those to the team. Coordinate resources, planning, and executing the production with the team. Managing hours, budget, deadlines, and performance.
Creative lead
Design online concepts and advertising production for clients in the hospitality, technology and automotive industries: Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Heineken, Marriot, Wyeth, Capgemini, Sanofi Pasteur and Dell. Effective collaboration and communication with project managers, creative staff, Q.A. team and engineers to ensure all designed products meet the expected quality and specifications.
Education
Universidad de Costa Rica
January 2002- July 2008
Graphic Design Degree
Interests
Farming / Biodynamic Regenerative agriculture
Love to take my hands in the ground and plant vegetables, greens, fruits, and flowers creating a space in a garden that is beautiful and also nourishes the soul, mind, and spirit with true organic food.
Hiking
Exploring the mountains and being immersed in the woods is one of the things that truly brings calm to my mind and body. From hiking the Upper Falls in Yosemite to climbing the highest pick in Costa Rica, El Chirripo, every mountain has its own magic, memories, and lessons.
Functional training
Sustaining a healthy body is super important to me. Training mobility, strength,yoga and conditioning are part of my daily life.
Animals / Cats in particular
In love with all animals that exist in the world, especially cats! I do have a fear of snakes and toads. Also in the garden, I have a bit of a fight with the iguanas that like to eat all of my sweet potato leaves, I sort of made a food paradise for them.
Cooking and eating
I have cooked since I was 4 years old. I used to watch my grandmother and people in restaurants cooking and I would mimic the procedures. Cooking and creating a piece of art have a lot in common for me, it’s an exploration of the senses, body, mind, and spirit. You can visit my insta page on food I cook whensasacooks
