By Jordan Queira
There are some stories that transcend art. Stories so profound that they remind us creativity is more than paint on canvas or words on a page—it is a way of preserving life, of holding on to those we love when they are no longer physically with us. The story of The Hissing Cats is one of those stories.
Founded by Norma Melgoza-Paredes, The Hissing Cats is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the lives and artwork of her two daughters, Candice Zepeda and Marylyn Brooks Zepeda—two extraordinary artists whose brilliance, compassion, and creative spirits continue to resonate long after their passing.
What began as a mother’s response to unimaginable grief has become a living testament to love, remembrance, and mental health advocacy. When Norma speaks about her daughters, her voice carries equal parts heartbreak and pride. After losing both of her daughters within a matter of months, Norma was left searching for a way to survive. “I needed a purpose for this pain in my heart,” she says. “I was having to exist with half a heart.”
In the days that followed their deaths, friends and loved ones called to share stories of how Candice and Marylyn had touched their lives. Their impact was far greater than Norma had ever realized. That realization planted a seed.
Her daughters had both devoted their lives to art, yet they had never exhibited together. Norma decided she would change that. “I thought, the girls never exhibited together, and I’d like to exhibit their work together.” From that simple but powerful idea, The Hissing Cats was born.
Established in 2023 as a nonprofit organization, its mission is to preserve Candice and Marylyn’s artistic legacies while creating a platform to foster dialogue and break the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Born on February 14, 1984, Candice Zepeda was, in her mother’s words, “The Valentine Girl.” Her artistic journey began almost as soon as she could hold a pencil. At just two years old, Candice created drawings accompanied by stories she never forgot. “Even as a toddler, she knew exactly what she was expressing.”
Her talent flourished through her years at Rowland High School, where an influential art teacher recognized her extraordinary promise and introduced her to artists associated with the historic Chouinard Art Institute. Among those mentors was Larry Bell, the internationally renowned sculptor and contemporary artist whose guidance helped shape Candice’s perspective.
Candice later graduated from Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, specializing in fashion design and textiles. Her understanding of fabric and form found its way into her paintings. She worked primarily in oil and mixed media, creating richly textured compositions where clothing draped with elegance and emotion. Many of Candice’s works were lost, given away, or destroyed during periods of psychosis. The paintings that remain are rare and deeply treasured. “Anyone who has an original has a masterpiece,” Norma says.
Two weeks before her death, Candice made a declaration that now guides her mother’s mission. “She said she was going to stay on her medications and become a famous artist,” Norma recalls. “I told myself, I’m going to carry the torch. I’m going to make her famous.”
Born on February 11, 1991, Marylyn Brooks Zepeda was a creative force without boundaries.
Painter. Playwright. Musician. Filmmaker. Author. Activist. Traveler.
Standing just five feet tall, Marylyn was known for a courage that far exceeded her physical stature. She studied at Los Angeles City College and at the School of Arts and Enterprise in Pomona, but much of her artistry was self-directed and fueled by curiosity, and inspiration from her older sister. Marylyn painted in acrylics, often completing works while performing live at Whisky a Go Go and at art events across Los Angeles. She wrote and directed sold-out theatrical productions, fronted a band, illustrated children’s books, and traveled solo to countries across Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Her compassion was as expansive as her creativity. Through her grassroots effort PB&J Friends, Marylyn fed unhoused communities on Skid Row. She sang on the steps of City Hall, stood up to injustice, and poured her heart into every cause she believed in. “She had gigantic courage,” Norma says. Marylyn’s paintings reflect both her travels and her boundless imagination. They are vibrant, spontaneous, and alive with the same fearless energy that defined her life.
The name “The Hissing Cats” comes from two beloved companions: Bobbi Bear, Candice’s cat, and Mogwhy, Marylyn’s cat. They were more than pets—they were muses, confidants, and emotional support. Marylyn had once created a small business called The Hissing Cats.
After her daughters passed, Norma revived the name and transformed it into a nonprofit organization. Today, the title carries with it not only the memory of two cherished animals, but also the enduring spirit of the women who adored them.
The Hissing Cats is more than an exhibition platform.
It is a call to action.
Through each show, Norma invites the public to experience her daughters’ artwork and engage in open dialogue about mental illness, treatment, stigma, and the urgent need for compassionate care. “I want people to see that individuals with mental illness are incredibly talented and creative,” she says. “I want them to walk away with appreciation, not fear.”
Each exhibition creates a safe space where art becomes a bridge between grief and understanding. Visitors often find unexpected connections in the paintings—glimpses of their own experiences, emotions, and struggles.
For Norma, those moments are deeply healing.
“My greatest satisfaction is when people admire the work and connect with what my daughters were expressing.”
Using the refunded deposits from her daughters’ apartments, Norma funded their first posthumous exhibition. Donations from supporters have sustained the nonprofit ever since. Every story shared, and every exhibition mounted is an act of devotion.
The Hissing Cats ensures that Candice and Marylyn are remembered not for the circumstances of their deaths, but for the extraordinary beauty they created and the compassion they gave to the world.
They were too beautiful for this world, both friends and artists would agree.
Yet through their paintings, their voices continue to speak.
Throughout the year, Norma organizes exhibitions featuring her daughters’ original works. One particularly meaningful exhibition took place this past May 3rd, which fell on Bereaved Mother’s Day, adding an especially profound layer of remembrance to the event.
Candice Zepeda and Marylyn Brooks Zepeda lived boldly, created fearlessly, and loved deeply. Their lives were marked by immense talent, profound empathy, and an unwavering commitment to expression.
Through The Hissing Cats, their mother has ensured that their light continues to shine.
Some stars burn so brightly that even after they disappear from view, their radiance remains.
In every brushstroke, every exhibition, and every life touched by their story, Candice and Marylyn are still here.
And through the will of a mother’s love, their flames will never go out.
To learn more about this incredible mission, go to https://thehissingcats.org/
