Melissa is a multi media artist who lives and works from her boat based in North Queensland.
Melissa enjoys working in a variety of media including Watercolour, Acrylic, Pastel, Inks, oils and Mixed Media combinations of these. However Acrylics have become her medium of choice over the past several years. This switch came naturally over the years as she had to adapt to life on board.
Melissa or Mel as she much prefers to be referred to particularly loves to paint the many Birds and Animals of Australia. However she specialises in capturing the local flora and fauna that surrounds her and intrigues her daily.
Mel loves to be outdoors and draws much of her inspiration from fishing trips to the Reef and the surrounding islands along with long walks on isolated beaches. Mel is also an avid camper and loves to get out and about in the vast great outdoors.
After many years of practice she has finally found the style that she feels fits and just feels right. It allows Mel to express what it is she trying to convey through her works to the viewer.
Mel loves to concentrate on beautifully abstracted backgrounds that are most often than not a "Happy Accident".
This process gives Mel a sense of freedom and a chance to just play and have fun. Once this process is completed it's then that Melissa hones in on what the story of the painting will be. It is now that she dedicates her talent to the rendering of a particular creature and slowly her pieces take shape.
She has won numerous awards over the last few years in various shows around her region and was a finalist in the 2016 and 2018 Glencore Percival Portrait Prize.
"I am consistently selling my work now and have sold many of my lpieces on the day of their completion. Which is truly such a thrill and a lifetime dream finally becoming my reality"