— Melissa Lea, artist
Thoughts of a working painter
What gives my abstract paintings their character? Beyond subject matter, composition, and technique, what is it that allows us to feel something when we encounter a work of art? When I consider the character of my abstract paintings, a few qualities consistently emerge: playfulness, optimism, generosity, and a celebration of creation. These are not themes […]
An artist’s short essay on authenticity, intuition, and trust What Does Authenticity Mean to an Artist? At a recent artist peer group meeting, our topic was authenticity. Almost immediately, it became clear that the word meant something different to each of us. For one artist, authenticity meant accuracy and respect for realism. If you are […]
There is something special about opening the mailbox and finding Art Felt Greetings by Melissa Lea. Art Felt Greetings by Melissa Lea grew from my love of traditional snail mail. The playfulness of surprise accompanies the simple pleasures we receive when we connect through original art. I elevate the familiar idea of a snail mail […]
An Example of a Current Art Commission If you’re wondering what the process of a custom art commission actually looks like, then you might want to keep reading. It’s different every time, but this current work in progress might offer insight. You might also want to view Commission Process on my website. Some commissions begin […]
Framing Matters ~ An Artist’s Perspective Framing matters not just visually, but emotionally. As artists, we spend countless hours considering color relationships, balance, movement, texture, layering, and edge work. Understanding why framing matters for artwork becomes part of understanding how a painting will ultimately live within a home. Framing is oftentimes reserved to the buyer […]