Solo Exhibit at Harvest Gallery

One opening done, and now working on the next project - a solo exhibit to open at the end of May 2011 at Harvest Gallery in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. More details to follow at a later date. Until then, here's a little sample of what you will find at the exhibit (inspired by bicycles, tricycles and maybe even a unicycle).

You know it's Spring When....

The Forsythia are finally in bloom and it's a great celebration of spring and the glorious colours to come. This time of year is one of my favourites for the very reason of peeking in the garden to see what is growing. The garlic is already 4" in height and i'm excited for the many lavender plants which will add a lovely colour and flavour to the homemade ice cream here at the home of Lala & Gleen.

I am so looking forward to getting outside and photographing the glorious flora and fauna found around my home......and for such elements to show up in my own painted and felted pieces.

Happy spring everyone!!! Get out there and enjoy the sunshine, the fresh air and all of the wonderful things spring has to offer :)

Acrylic, Oil Pastel and Graphite Pencil

on wood panel (36"h x 48"w)

Birds of a Feather

This winter, the paint is flying around the studio as I work on many different sized pieces. I am working on a large body of works (4' x 5') as well as smaller pieces (3' x 3'). I have lots of panels lined up (various sizes) and my hope is to create a series of works during the winter months so that I can concentrate on exhibits during the warmer months. So far, it really has been a perfect winter to be in the studio - the first winter where I feel like the ideas are flowing and the desire to create is strong.

Birds of a Feather

Acrylic, pastel, pencil and spray paint

on wood panel

3' x 3'

***You're invited!!!!***

A N G E L A M E L A N S O N

V I S U A L A R T I S T

Until January 4
Designer Café, Kentville, Nova Scotia

Angela Melanson, like her art, is edgy urban chic firmly planted in 50 acres of enchanted woodland on Gaspereau Mountain near Wolfville. When visiting Angela, one can’t help but feel that unusual creatures, with mysterious tales, play in Angela’s forest, as much as they play through Angela’s imagination.

It is from her vantage point that Angela draws most of her inspiration – the native rabbits and birds, as well as her imagined creatures, keep her mind full of ideas with a longing to understand the relationship between humans, animals and the environment.

Angela uses awkward tools, fingers-painting, her left hand, and even closes her eyes to help keep her preconceived notions at bay while freely adding patterns and shapes to her work. The process is entirely organic and forces her to live in the moment. Angela then looks for clues as to where the painting should go next. She likens this to her childhood pleasure of lying on the grass, looking upwards to find creatures, objects and faces in the clouds.

Angela is a formally trained textile artist and self-taught painter. She recently traveled to New Mexico for a painting workshop with one of her favourite outsider artists. There, she learned various techniques which inspire her work and help push her beyond the boundaries of her formal training and her perceived ideas of traditional painting techniques. Angela utilizes her training in colour combinations and line work, often found in her textile pieces, and incorporates these elements into her painted creations. Angela has been able to bridge the gap between these various mediums by using similar stylistic expressions in both mediums - showcasing her own whimsical style.

The Designer Café offers the many artists in our region a relaxed venue to show their work outside of a gallery or formal exhibition. The Café shows a wide range of artworks from abstract to representational to book illustrations and outsider art.

Hours: Monday – Thursday 7am-5pm, Friday 7am-6pm, Saturday 8am-4pm

For more information, contact Deborah Nicholson at info@dnphotoworks.com or 902-582-7959. To contact the café directly, call 902-365-3322.

Awakenings by SEVEN

This past Saturday, September 19th an art group I am involved with (SEVEN) launched our new exhibit called Awakenings at Harvest Gallery in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The show is an exciting melange of mixed mediums from fibre, silk fusion, weaving, poetry, painting, crocheting, and pounded/patinated copper.

This in one of my creations ~ acrylic, spray paint, oil pastel and graphite pencil on board (20" x 20").

Each member of SEVEN (seven women artists who work in various mediums) has interpreted the word Awakenings. If you have a chance to check out the show, please do. It will be on exhibit until October 19th. For those who cannot make it, you can follow along our facebook site by visiting:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seven-a-group-of-one-poet-and-six-visual-artists/83098039404?ref=ts