Edelma Miranda begins a new artistic chapter

by Oscar Pantaleon Jr.

	For Edelma Miranda, food and art go hand in hand. “From the food industry I’ve learned composition, the colour scheme in expressing a feeling or creating a mood.”

It never crossed Edelma Miranda’s mind that one day she would find herself featured in the pages of Pilipino Express. “I remember growing up and my parents would always grab the latest copy from a neighbourhood store,” she recalls. “To be featured in it now is sheer serendipity.”

Born and raised in Winnipeg’s west end, Edelma has spent much of her life immersed in creativity. From drawing as a child to becoming a freelance visual artist, her body of work spans fine arts, graphic design, branding, interiors, and illustration. Fun fact: A pizza box she designed appeared in a movie released earlier this year!

Visual storyteller

Edelma’s creative process has been shaped by both early artistic instincts and formal education. She began drawing at the age of six and later earned a degree in fine arts with a major in drawing from the University of Manitoba. This was followed by a degree in environmental design specializing in interior design.

Her artistic influences are a combination of human experience, environment, and design principles. These ideas find their way into her artworks and illustrations. “Through the use of colours and different mediums and textures I am able to create a sense of feeling, an experience through sight and touch,” she shares.

As a visual storyteller, she has learned through patience and planning. “Thinking outside the box, understanding the process, and asking questions to achieve the outcome guide my approach,” she explains.

Growing up in the west end also left a lasting impression on her artistic style. “Houses full of playful character and graffiti with bright colours and bold block letters are evident in my work,” she says. “I tend to outline my objects in black, almost creating a cartoonish, fun vibe.”

Artist as entrepreneur

Parallel to her artistic endeavours, Edelma is building a career in the Winnipeg food scene. She currently co-owns Wall Street Slice pizza shop and operates Hai Love, a Filipino Vietnamese fusion pop-up business, with her partner Huan.

Edelma says the food industry sharpened her attention to visual detail and composition. “We eat through our eyes, visually,” she muses. “We use a wide variety of textures and colour tones, from choosing paper weights to page size, pointed or rounded edges, minimalist to whimsical styles.”

Cultural identity is also celebrated in her work, like the sisig pizza she created for the Kultivation Festival. “It is very important for me to portray my culture through my work,” she asserts, “in order to show others and the next generation who we are and what we believe in.” Edelma thinks that by sharing their stories and experiences, artists and entrepreneurs help build connections and strengthen communities.

The first of many

Edelma’s latest creative foray is as illustrator of Hot Dogs and Four Leaf Clovers, a children’s book written by Cheryl Waldner. The two first met at Wall Street Slice and discovered that they live just a few blocks from each other. “She was such an exceptional and positive person that we became friends instantly,” Edelma recalls.

When Cheryl shared her vision for the book, Edelma immediately took an interest in the project. “I thought it would be a wonderful idea to collaborate with her,” she says. “I’ve always dreamt of illustrating children’s books and Cheryl made that dream come true.”

Working together was special for them. “With it being the first book for both of us, we learned a lot,” Cheryl reveals. “Edelma was so patient with me when I realized some changes would make the illustrations even more connected to the story.”

Hot off the press, Hot Dogs and Four Leaf Clovers launches June 13 at the Bourkevale Community Centre at 9:30 am. “I’m so proud of us both for completing this project, especially as new moms,” Cheryl says. “Navigating family, work, and everything else meant a little chaos at times, but we stuck it out for each other.”

The experience not only strengthened their friendship but also gave Edelma the opportunity to explore a new form of storytelling through illustration. For her, this collaboration marks the beginning of a new artistic chapter. As she puts it simply: “This book is the first of many.”

The book launch is open to the public. For more information or to order the book, visit www.hotdogsandfourleafclovers.com.