'Work, Work, Work'

Melissa’s work is reflective of her life experiences and showcases her affinity for symbolism. Found treasures such as vintage Newspapers, emphemera, and photographs add their own character to the intimate story she narrates.Her work is greatly influenced by artists such as Joseph Cornell, Duane Michals, and the Starn Twins, as well as her travel experiences and exposure to different cultures and religions. Through her creative process, Melissa explores the concepts of permanence, boundaries, value, and connection. In 2023 along with some friends she co-founded True North Art Gallery in Colorado Springs, a contemporary fine art collective.

"This new body of work is the result of dedicated time to explore the process of collaging papers into encaustic wax and the repetition necessary to truly understand the medium I'm interested in. I wanted the freedom to choose my subjects based on my intuition and what my subconscious felt was important to express. For me, creating art has always been about listening to the dialogue I have with myself, and recently, that dialogue has been quite intense. I am processing the loss of my mother, the end of an important relationship, and the passing of the family dog, who I had come to regard as my own."

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