Monday, May 24, 2010

New Paintings! New Style!

tentacle on African Mahogany

flower on Purpleheart wood

jellyfish flower on African Padauk

fiddlehead on Canarywood

dandelion on Bubinga wood

tree on Sapele wood

flower on African Mahogany

dotted flower on Purpleheart wood (this wood is a gorgeous deep violet color but it will eventually turn more brown)

mushroom on African Mahogany

fern on Sapele wood



I am very excited to release these new paintings. I've been wanting to do something new for a while but that's easier said than done. Then I discovered a local place (Cormark International) that sells exotic hardwood and I fell in love. The first time I went I only bought 3 pieces and once I started staining them I knew I would go back. This wood is unbelievably gorgeous and just comes alive when it's stained. I used a clear stain so I wouldn't interfere with the natural color of the wood. The next time I went back the owner took me to another warehouse where he showed me even more amazing wood...Pink Ivory, Zebrawood, Olivewood. I know I'll go back for more.

All of the pieces are painted with white only. This was very challenging for me since color is so much a part of what I do. But I didn't want any color competing with the natural beauty of this wood. So I used transparent and opaque white for the shading and let the color of the wood come through for contrast. So. Much. Fun. I absolutely loved doing these and have gotten used to seeing them on my white fireplace. I hope you enjoy them too. I might start going bigger after these. After all of my 4" x 4" the last couple of years I am really itching to get back to bigger pieces.

I really needed this change of pace. I was stuck in a rut with my little creatures. I'm not saying that I won't paint them again but they are definitely on vacation for now.

Click here to see available paintings in my Etsy shop.


12 comments:

Rebekah Leigh said...

Wow these are beautiful!

Cori Lynn Berg said...

These are sooooo gorgeous all put together! Glad you find something to recreate yourself!

Cathy Nichols Art said...

These are so beautiful, Melissa! They remind me of those stunning exotic wood abstracts you had in your old house in LA. But, of course, these are cooler because they are YOUR paintings!! love em!

Gina said...

I've been looking forward to seeing these...gorgeous!

outi harma said...

Love them Melissa! Nice and bold, with still your signature details in them!
I can feel your inspiration and joy in them!!
So fun to do something new!!

Peggy said...

Hi Melissa! These are really beautiful! Congratulations!

The Little Cloth Rabbit said...

Wow- what amazing wood! Your new paintings are wonderful!

Anonymous said...

of course, these are GORGEOUS. love them! It's fun and a little scary to try new directions creatively, isn't it? I I think your new paintings email stayed with me throughout the day, because we were visiting each other in my dream last night. I came to see you at your new house and you were so peaceful and happy :)

Valentina Harper said...

Melissa, these pieces are beautiful!

rrARTz said...

i love these, they are GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Melissa,

I saw your art in Artful Blogging (my blog's in this issue too!) and love your style. These painting on wood are particularly gorgeous!

Congratulations on the magazine & I hope it brings good things your way.

xo ~ k

Luna Levy said...

these are just gorgeous and so unique!