Artist Malena Bisanti-Wall

Malena Bisanti-Wall discovered her artistic ability playing with her mother’s homemade salt dough and making paper dolls. Growing up, she enjoyed exploring watercolors, photography, mixed media, and collage. It wasn’t until she was an adult that she took her first clay class, and she was hooked!

Q. What inspires your creations?

A. For a long time, I have been inspired by quotes and the words of others. This inspired me to create ceramic plaques with quotes and I find that others enjoy them as well. I also love mixed media and recently began incorporating my clay with mixed media on wood panels.

Q. What kind of materials do you use?

A. I use stoneware clay for my ceramic pieces. For my mixed media pieces, I use a variety of papers, acrylic paint, stamps, ink, clay, and more.

Q. What is your favorite piece to create and why?

A. I am really enjoying creating my new mixed media pieces and find they are a nice change of pace. Their creation is a different process from the clay–it’s more loose and freeing. With my clay process, I need to be fairly precise in the creation and glazing. With the mixed media, I begin by laying down layers of paper, paint, stamps, and more, and continue building layers of these materials. I have no preconceived notion of where the piece is going or how it will end up, so it is always a pleasant surprise.  

Q. Where can someone view or purchase your art?

A. My work can be found in several local galleries including in Decatur, in Atlanta, and in Roswell, among others. I’ll also be in several art shows this fall and my schedule can be found on my website at www.mbwclayartist.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mbwclayartist.

Q. How long have you lived in Cobb?

A. I have lived in Cobb County for almost ten years. My husband and I moved here from Orlando. I enjoy the scenery, change of seasons, and the lightning bugs.

Q. What is your background?

A. I was born in New York. I lived in Ohio and Florida before moving to Marietta. My husband, Michael, and I have two cats, Mixxy and Mojo, and they keep me company while I’m in my studio. Prior to becoming a full-time artist, I was a teacher and an elementary school media specialist. When I’m not creating art, I enjoy going to art shows, reading, and taking Zumba classes.