Saturday, August 27, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Updates and an End to the Hiatus....
As some of you may have noticed, I've been on hiatus. I didn't bother letting anyone know because...well.... I didn't even realize I was going on one. I had a lot of things hit me at once and I just couldn't keep things updated. But I'm back now with a new gallery via Flickr, a Formspring, a Twitter and eventually new work to show. Hopefully these updates will make up for leaving without letting anyone know ^-^
In other news: I've been doing a lot of digital painting lately! I recently bought a tablet and a copy of Corel Painter. It's a quirky program but I still enjoy the results. I'll be posting a lot of digital art in the near future. Or at least until I can get the supplies I need for my next series.
Sorry I've been gone for so long. I missed my work.
-Melissa
In other news: I've been doing a lot of digital painting lately! I recently bought a tablet and a copy of Corel Painter. It's a quirky program but I still enjoy the results. I'll be posting a lot of digital art in the near future. Or at least until I can get the supplies I need for my next series.
Sorry I've been gone for so long. I missed my work.
-Melissa
Monday, May 23, 2011
Inspiration for "Beauty in Death"
While in college I began exploring making my viewers uncomfortable with my work. I was stretching my figures in bizarre ways and painting my flesh to look bruised. It wasn't for shock value like I'm seeing with a lot of artists nowadays, but more a way to make them cringe and think. I've been contemplating my next project and I think I'm going to continue on the path of macabre and uneasiness.
Here are a things I have printed out and hanging up on my inspiration wall here in my studio:
Michael Shapcott, Mother's Hands
Michael Shapcott, A Song to Keep us Warm
The works of contemporary artist, Michael Shapcott, have been a source of inspiration for me for quite some time. I really enjoy the bodily distortion he adds to his work. It reminds me a lot of my own although his tend to be a bit more elegant- although that could just be the way he goes about his faces. They're always so beautiful and defined. His distortions and messy paint handling also reminds me a bit of Egon Schiele.
Joel-Peter Witkin, Interpreted Reading, Paris.
Witkin is, by far, my favorite photographer. His work embodies a lot of what I want to get across in this next project. He gets a lot of flak for his controversial pieces, but their beauty is undeniable.
These dolls are stunning. Each one has life breathed into them and I can almost sense a bit of sadness- as if they know they're dolls. Dolls fascinate and scare me almost as much as the concept of Death. Honestly, I think I watched Puppet Masters and Child's Play one too many times as a kid.
The famous "ectoplasm" photos from the 1920's have recently earned my attention. I hadn't ever seen these photographs until recently and I was immediately entranced by how beautiful, strange and disturbing many of them looked.
I will probably add more seeing as how I have several shoe boxes full of printed pictures that I could easily use as inspiration for this project. But for the time being these are my main sources.
Wish me luck on this upcoming project!
Here are a things I have printed out and hanging up on my inspiration wall here in my studio:
The works of contemporary artist, Michael Shapcott, have been a source of inspiration for me for quite some time. I really enjoy the bodily distortion he adds to his work. It reminds me a lot of my own although his tend to be a bit more elegant- although that could just be the way he goes about his faces. They're always so beautiful and defined. His distortions and messy paint handling also reminds me a bit of Egon Schiele.
Witkin is, by far, my favorite photographer. His work embodies a lot of what I want to get across in this next project. He gets a lot of flak for his controversial pieces, but their beauty is undeniable.
Marina Bychkova, Skylar
These dolls are stunning. Each one has life breathed into them and I can almost sense a bit of sadness- as if they know they're dolls. Dolls fascinate and scare me almost as much as the concept of Death. Honestly, I think I watched Puppet Masters and Child's Play one too many times as a kid.
The famous "ectoplasm" photos from the 1920's have recently earned my attention. I hadn't ever seen these photographs until recently and I was immediately entranced by how beautiful, strange and disturbing many of them looked.
I will probably add more seeing as how I have several shoe boxes full of printed pictures that I could easily use as inspiration for this project. But for the time being these are my main sources.
Wish me luck on this upcoming project!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Summer Arts Market
I will be selling artwork at the Summer Arts Market Saturday June 4th. I'll be selling several of my older paintings as well as a few new ones. I will also be selling several prints and original monoprints. In addition to all of this I am going to be starting another Silent Auction for my piece "Dream." The auction will start June 4th and end July 4th.
SUMMER ART MARKET
10-4 Saturday, June 4
Fine art by local artists offering
jewelry, woven art, prints, ceramics, glass art,
photography, paintings, books, and more
LIVE MUSIC & BELLY DANCE
FREE kid’s art project
The Art of Caring
Please bring donations of peanut butter or tuna to aid our elders
through the food pantry at Ageing Services of Cleveland County
Norman Unitarian Universalist Church
1309 W. Boyd
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Silent Auction- "Raven's Land"
I will be hosting monthly Silent Auctions of my early work from now until January of 2012. For this month, I am putting up a very important and very personal piece of work from my earlier days as an artist:
The starting bid is $50. You can raise it by as little as a penny. The auction will go on until midnight on Mother's Day (June 8th). If you win the piece and request having it mailed, I will have to add the cost of shipping and insurance (if insurance is requested). I will provide the receipts for any additional costs and materials.
Medium: Oil pastel on Arches Heavyweight paper
Dimensions: 16"x20"
Other: The piece is matted on black matte-board and should be easy to frame or re-matte if desired. I am also willing to do my own custom framing for this piece if you are interested however I will charge for the cost of the additional materials.
Artist Statement: PDF
Framing Sketches: Will provide PDF shortly
"Raven's Land" 2007
The starting bid is $50. You can raise it by as little as a penny. The auction will go on until midnight on Mother's Day (June 8th). If you win the piece and request having it mailed, I will have to add the cost of shipping and insurance (if insurance is requested). I will provide the receipts for any additional costs and materials.
Medium: Oil pastel on Arches Heavyweight paper
Dimensions: 16"x20"
Other: The piece is matted on black matte-board and should be easy to frame or re-matte if desired. I am also willing to do my own custom framing for this piece if you are interested however I will charge for the cost of the additional materials.
Artist Statement: PDF
Framing Sketches: Will provide PDF shortly
A Temporary Home
Several years ago a close friend of mine bought me a domain name and fixed me up a website that I could safely post my portfolio and resume on. Recently though, given my financial strains as well as his own interests, I've had to cancel the account and the website has since been wiped clean.
I am working on getting a new site through OtherPeoplesPixels but, until then, I will be using this blog as a temporary home for my artwork and resume as well as a way to post interesting news regarding future shows and projects.
I will be posting current projects, old projects, my resume and commission info up as soon as possible. Thank you all for being loyal and patient.
-Melissa
I am working on getting a new site through OtherPeoplesPixels but, until then, I will be using this blog as a temporary home for my artwork and resume as well as a way to post interesting news regarding future shows and projects.
I will be posting current projects, old projects, my resume and commission info up as soon as possible. Thank you all for being loyal and patient.
-Melissa
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