meldomin

OUT-OF-THE-WALL THINKING

As an artist, it’s natural to be an out-of-the-box thinker. I would like to write about something a little different…..out-of-the-wall thinking. I’m using this phrase as an adjective, a type of creative thinking which breaks down our walls so that we can step outward to the freedom on the other side. Easier said than done, that’s for sure. It’s possible, with a little time and effort (okay, ALOT of time and effort) to use creativity as a tool to penetrate the walls we build around us. The flow of inspiration that abounds without the entrapment of enclosure is truly endless.

As a visual example, my out-of-the-wall thinking morphed into this off-the-wall idea. Meet Ariel, one of three mannequins I purchased when a local department store went out of business. I painted her with the same color palette that I’m using on the interior walls of the Great Room.

412CEF44-EB50-403E-99AC-776A1379AB9B

My intent was to paint her to look as if she’s stepping out of an enormous wall, which matches the enormity of the window next to her. The window represents opportunity. I left the cobwebs in the lower left-hand corner of the window. Cobwebs are allowed. They will appear from time to time.
2199BD26-C04D-4814-A5DC-3A64ABCA67C9

ON A LIGHTER NOTE

On a lighter note…… used when you are going to say something that is less serious than what you were talking about before.

I don’t think it’s necessary to point out the seriousness of what’s going on in our world today. As a visual artist, I have times, as many artists do, that I attempt to pull myself out of a heavy situation by creating something with a little lightness, laughter and ease…..especially in times when those emotions tend to be somewhat elusive.

I decided to refrain from including having a whale of a time in this post, even though it seemed to have been a good fit. But. I did discover some interesting facts. Did you know that whales are associated with compassion and solitude? And that the exhalation through the blowhole symbolizes the freeing of one’s own creative energies???? I had no idea.

These are my Geometry Men. I have been known to laugh out loud when painting them.
1DCE673C-B51F-414A-9A22-0FC7AF9DCCB9

Critters, reptiles, bugs, and whales
32794496-6425-4B0F-95E8-25294109B7FB

I’ll be dedicating some blog posts to my hand-made pillows and hand-painted flower pots in the future. If you’d like to see more of them , you can visit my shop PaintHausDesign (all one word) on ETSY.

NEST FEATHERING

While it typically connotates a monetary reference, I’m opting to remove the financial emphasis from the phrase……

Feathering One’s Nest – To achieve benefits by taking advantage of the opportunities with which one is presented.

I’ve had the opportunity for the last several days to observe a female Cardinal building her nest right outside my window. I sit in front of this window in the early hours of the morning, drinking my coffee, feeling peace in the quiet, contemplating the day ahead of me. To have had the opportunity to watch as she constructed her nest, while sitting just a couple feet away, made me kind of giddy. I find birds nests extraordinary. The engineering and design have always filled me with amazement, fascination and intrigue.

There is usually a space around us where we can find some peace, whether it be the couch in front of a window or even the bed we crawl into every night. We all have nests. Line them with beautiful things that make you happy and give you peace.

Part of my birds’ nest collection.
0158B57F-9AB3-48A2-A6CC-F77F6A46474A

Acrylic Painting. 36”x48”
60F15E2C-1464-427C-B8E4-9A4D684F8E99

Acrylic Painting with antique frame. 8”x10” (canvas size)
714104C4-A61D-4C22-B88F-DD95D65767ED

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN

I love picking words apart.

Fear – An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
Unknown – Not known or familiar.

Let me introduce myself.
My name is Melissa, and I’m an artist.
Have you ever heard the phrase “Starving Artist”?
Yup, that used to be me.
Been there.
Done that.
Yet, oddly enough, the reason why I’m no longer a starving artist is because I’ve become a master conqueror of the above, Fear of the Unknown. But don’t get me wrong. I am by no means a millionaire. Not. Even. Close. In fact, my sole method of making a living off my art has been put on hold for at least the next four months. But you know what? The amount of gratitude I feel because I can power through is beyond measure. That gratitude overpowers my fear. It feeds my creativity. It did not happen overnight, it’s been a journey. I am thriving.
So. I’d like to share the variety of artistic endeavors I pursue on a day-to-day basis. I draw my greatest ideas and inspiration from the unfolding of the process once I have a starting point. This is my starting point. I have no idea where it will go.

I’ll begin with the Great Room Design Haus. It took me 14 years to get up the nerve to paint these walls.
B6BA3E55-BBD2-4161-A2FD-7A8EB253C5F8

14-1/2’ tall Fan Shelf. I had the fan collection, built the shelves to accommodate the different sized fans, backed with xtra corrugated metal that I had laying around.
47E77879-111C-43D2-A67B-4EC7E2992835