Globetrotter Melinda Santillan has had to bid fare­well to many a city over the years. Having studied first in London and then Vancouver, the Montrealer is cur­rently stationed in Mexico, learning how to make piñatas and working on the latest collection for Adieu, her line of sustainable shirts.

How does Montreal impact your designs?

I love the changing of seasons in Montreal. The view of the fall sky or all white snowstorms from my window always influence me when I’m drawing. There’s also a certain free­dom living here and it has influenced the way I work as well as the way I approach the business side of things.

How does Mexico influence your work?

There is so much to see and do there; it’s like a sensory overload. I love going out, watching telenovelas and seeing all the religious holidays come and go. There is a sense of extravagance combined with extreme poverty and it makes for an interesting culture. Trying to work on production here is sometimes complicated but at the same time the experi­ences I get to have while I’m here make it worthwhile.

Even though your imagery is dark, strictly mono­chrome and often represents death, there’s a hope­fulness to it. How is that?

I think creativity in itself is hopeful; being able to take ideas and transform them into something tangible is sort of life-affirming. My imagery is what comes to mind when I’m alone in my room. It’s dreams and memories but I don’t see it as dark at all; it’s the images that I live with daily that make me happy. I love using black and white because they are so basic and simple yet there is a range of tones between them that for me work just like colors. I love other colors too but I use them sparingly, because I’m not quite comfortable with them yet.

How did this obsession with ghosts come about?

I don’t know why but I love people hidden under sheets. I always wanted to have the classic Halloween ghost costume. I guess the ghosts represent a certain playfulness and a reminder not to take things so seriously. They’re from years of playing dress up and pretend, of creating your own world, and that’s what I want to do with my life.

What would you like to say adieu to?

People that show up at my doorstep on Saturday mornings to try and convert me to their religion.