Artists - Those Outside The Box

Every time I sit down to write a “bio” for a show, I panic.  I am always at a loss for words, and I am never comfortable talking about my own work.  I studied Art History in college, so I love to discuss other people’s work at length, but I am “wordless” when it comes to describing my paintings, my artistic-self, and what inspires me.  I have been told to leave the comparisons to the critics, but I see myself as a “critic” that paints.  I suffer greatly sharing my artistic point-of-view, but I am elated when someone loves my work enough to hang it in their home; to make it a member of their family.  I feel like they get the inside joke, that they understand the little monster that drives me to paint!

I work in series format, sometimes taking me over a year to complete, and it can range from people to fish.  I believe this process comes from my environment, and that one canvas can never tell the full story.  I generally measure my canvases in feet instead of inches (small spaces freak me out), and every canvas has a song.  I am eager to see where the line will lead me, and hope that I can someday mix the perfect color for the line, subject, and feel of the moment.  Like all artists, who need motivation, I take the occasional commission, and love a little feedback.  If you see something that may work for you, send me a line and I’ll let you know if it’s still available.

Swim in color,
Melissa