Hello again, friends and collectors. It’s been a while since I last shared an update—and today, I want to reintroduce myself and invite you into the next chapter of my art journey.

For those of you just discovering my work, my name is Melanie Wong. I’m an origami mixed media artist based in New Jersey, working at the intersection of sculpture, geometry, and storytelling. My art blends modular origami with painted paper and wood panels to explore themes of resilience, emotional complexity, and quiet strength. Every piece I create is deeply personal—rooted in my own journey of overcoming childhood adversity, and meant to reflect the beauty that can emerge from inner struggle.

Why I Took a Brief Hiatus

If you’ve noticed I’ve been a bit quieter lately, there’s a good reason. Over the past few months, I started a new job. Like many artists, I wear more than one hat, and adjusting to a regular work schedule while maintaining a consistent creative practice has been a learning curve. Multitasking has never been my strength, and I’ve come to realize that honoring my own pace is essential—both for my well-being and for the integrity of my artwork through my art journey.

Rather than force content or create from a place of burnout, I took a brief step back. I used the time to recalibrate, to understand what balance looks like for me, and to figure out how to maintain a creative flow while honoring other parts of my life. And even though I wasn’t posting as frequently, the creative flame never went out. In fact, it deepened as I was able to niche down my creative category of not just being an origami or paper artist, but also an structural designer through art, fashion, and home decorating.

The time away gave me space to reflect on the purpose behind my practice. I thought about what my work means to me and how I want to share that with others. I explored new ideas, reorganized my studio, revisited unfinished pieces, and found new energy in stillness. This period of quiet was never about stepping away from being an artist—it was about stepping closer to who I am as an artist.

Highlights from my Recent Art Journey

Even though I took a step back from sharing regular updates, I remained deeply engaged with my creative community—and I’m proud to share a few accomplishments that happened during that time:

• I taught an origami workshop at the Teen Arts Festival through Monmouth Arts, held from Thursday, March 20th to Friday, March 21st. This two-day event brought together an inspiring group of young creatives, and it was a joy to introduce them to the meditative and mathematical magic of paper folding. We explored how origami can be both an artistic expression and a mindful practice, blending structure and imagination. I also had the privilege of connecting with other professional artists from across New Jersey—an experience that reminded me how vital community is in any creative process. The excitement and curiosity of the students reinvigorated my own passion and reminded me why I started folding paper in the first place. Watching their hands transform simple squares into expressive forms was nothing short of magical.
• I was published as a Collage and Fiber Art category finalist in the 2025 special edition of Women United Art Magazine. This international publication celebrates outstanding women artists working in 2D formats, and I’m honored to have been included. The Women United Art Prize is a prestigious contemporary art award organized by the Women United Art Movement, with a mission to elevate and highlight the contributions of female visual artists to the global art scene. The jurors for this year’s prize included a powerhouse panel of voices in the art world: art consultant Alissa Sexton, pop artist Ashley Longshore, The Jealous Curator’s Danielle Krysa, and Ekaterina Popova, Editor-in-Chief of Create! Magazine. Being recognized by such a panel alongside an international group of artists was both humbling and energizing—and it reaffirmed my belief in the power of storytelling through paper and mixed media. It’s not just an honor—it’s a milestone that encourages me to keep pushing boundaries within my creative process.

These experiences have not only encouraged my growth as an artist but also deepened my sense of purpose in making and sharing art. They reminded me that even in seasons of quiet, meaningful progress is always unfolding.

What’s Next: A New Content Strategy

I’m stepping into this new season with clarity and commitment. My primary focus is to blog consistently around monthly editorial themes that reflect the deeper meaning behind my art. These themes will serve as creative anchors, helping me explore the intersections of origami, emotion, and everyday living in a more thoughtful and rhythmic way.

Starting this June, I’ll begin with a theme centered around Color, Light, & Early Summer Style—a celebration of vibrant palettes, airy textures, and the emotional language of brightness as we transition into the warmest months of the year.

Each month, you can expect blog posts and email updates that bring these themes to life with inspiration, insight, and heart. how origami connects to broader ideas—from color psychology and geometric puzzles, to fashion, cultural traditions, aerospace engineering, and more. These themes are close to my heart because they reflect the layered nature of what I do. Origami is not just a craft—it’s a language that bridges art and science, emotion and logic, story and structure.

Let’s Begin Again—Together

This chapter feels like a fresh start, but it’s also a continuation of everything I’ve been building in my art journey. I’m still the same artist who loves complexity, order, and softness all at once—but I’m approaching this new phase with more structure, more self-trust, and more room for connection.

To support this new beginning, I’m also dedicating more time to learning, experimenting, and refining my techniques. I’ve started researching new types of papers, exploring eco-friendly materials, and testing out modular forms I’ve never tried before. These new directions are exciting, and I plan to share these explorations through behind-the-scenes videos and visual journal entries.

My studio is becoming a more intentional space too. I’ve rearranged the layout, built new storage for paper and tools, and carved out a photography corner to better capture the texture and dimension of my sculptures. This change in my physical environment is helping me work with more focus—and also inviting me to dream bigger.

If you’ve been following my art journey for a while, thank you for your continued support. If you’re new here, welcome! Whether you collect my work, follow for inspiration, or simply enjoy learning about the intersections between art and life—there’s a space here for you.

This is more than just a return to posting. It’s a return to presence, to community, and to the belief that art is a living, breathing way to connect deeply with the world.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for being part of this journey.

With warmth and gratitude,
Melanie Wong
Origami Mixed Media Artist

---