Born and raised in North Vancouver, BC, Melanie’s life has been very play-focused. Her earliest artistic influence has been her father, whose flare for whim and fancy in the arts fed her soul and helped form this life-embracing artist. 

Melanie has a deep passion for artistic self expression, which manifests in not only painting but also music and creative writing. Since 2005 however, her  primary focus has been the visual arts field and she has participated in many group and solo shows all over the lower mainland including the historic Hycroft Manor in Vancouver BC. This year she will be taking a place in the Art’s Umbrella Splash fundraiser. Melanie has received several awards and has reached International status. Her work resides in New Zealand, Great Britain, Italy and in several private collections across the US and Canada. Melanie is a member of the Port Moody Arts Association and the North Vancouver Arts Council and her work is represented by The Inlet Wellness Gallery, Port Moody, The Van Dop Gallery, New Westminster and the Xanadu Gallery in Phoenix, AZ. 

Artist Statement 

I have always maintained a diverse personality, drifting between thinking deep and  playing large. My canvas is my playground but it is also a sacred space for expressing my voice. I believe that the artists, musicians and writers of our world have a unique calling to be the voice of mankind and I gladly take my place among them. In my work you will see the truths of human nature apparent in our desires, sorrows, complexities and abundance. 

My still life subjects explore the nature of human desire and what we find delight in. Basic objects become the catalyst for the viewer to tap into a forgotten world of childhood memories or to ponder their significance to one’s own life. At all times I invite the viewer to stay in the moment, to marvel with me over how the light causes an object to dance or to plumb the depths of the richness that colours a shadow. 

Building on my sense of play and curiosity, I also explore whimsy and creative expressionism in my paintings, combining traditional realism with more modern techniques. My work tends to span the mediums of Soft Pastel, Acrylic and Oil, and also dips into collage and assemblage art. Recently I have delighted in combining many of these styles for different effects. This, I find, allows me to have open dialogue about the human condition in more creative and engaging ways.