Growing up in rural Louisiana and based in the Pacific Northwest, Melanie draws on her diverse experiences to create art that evokes a sense of curiosity, connection, and serenity. After living and working on the West Coast for much of her adult life, the artist now paints in her Seattle studio and lives just outside the city with her husband, son, and pets.

Though Melanie’s journey as a painter began later in life, her multifaceted creative background deeply enriches the way she expresses herself through abstract art. Prior to becoming an artist, Melanie was a writer and an interior and lifestyle photographer. She also worked in Los Angeles as a film marketer and, briefly, as a romantic comedy screenwriter. Her penchant for creative expression led her to painting, where she found herself captivated by the intersection of abstract art and the emotions that travel ignites.

Melanie received a Master’s degree in psychology and later studied abstract painting and composition at Gage Academy of Art in Seattle. Her work is heavily inspired by the abstract expressionist tradition, with artists such as Richard Diebenkorn, Lee Krasner, and Joan Mitchell serving as major influences.

Whether inspired by the quiet rhythms of coastal landscapes or the vibrant energy of new destinations, Melanie’s paintings evoke a connection to the beauty of the world, offering a sense of groundedness and possibility.