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Melissa Cole is an artist, writer, and wildlife
photographer. She has played beneath Ocean's waves from the
Seychelles Islands off Africa to the icy waters surrounding
Vancouver Island, British Columbia. She has seen killer whales
breach beside her boat at sunset, danced with wild dolphins,
and has been kissed by gentle manatees. Her travels have taken
her from the tropical islands of Indonesia to the vast plains
of Africa.
On many of these trips she brings along her painting supplies
to record these endearing subjects. She uses acrylic on board
and canvas. Very fine brushes enable her to create the detailed
designs. Inspired by native artists worldwide, she strives to
capture in her own unique way, that same raw energy in her work.
Although she could portray the sometimes, stark reality of environmental
degradation, she would like her paintings to be an escape for
both viewer and subject. While rivers are dammed, oceans are
often polluted and plastic blows through deserts, in her paintings,
fish glide through clear water and rabbits leap unspoiled territory.
Her artwork is filled with dreams, a touch of hope for what
she wishes upon the earth.
In her painting process she primarily uses golden acrylic paints
to create her artwork. First the board or canvas is covered
with acrylic primer called gesso. Next she loosely sketches
out her design on the dried gesso. She applies modeling paste
with a palette knife to certain areas in which she would like
to add texture. Then she covers the dried modeling paste with
a second coat of gesso. Next she use acrylic paint mixed with
lots of water to create the flowing washes in the background,
sometimes useing a hairdryer to move the paint around. Melissa
then paints the subject using the same technique. On top of
these washes she creates a pattern of dots using fine brushes
and thick acrylic paint, taping the edges and painting the border
and covering it with a pattern of dots. When the paint is dry,
Melissa covers the entire surface with an acrylic gloss varnish
to give sheen and richness to the colors. Voila !
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914
water street, port townsend, washington 98368 | telephone (360) 385-3630