Artist Statement

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” - Thomas Merton

 

As an abstract painter, my goal is to let myself be open to possibilities. I feel fortunate to have traveled and experienced a diversity of nature's landscapes and I am always intrigued with layers and textures I see and feel in nature. While walking in the woods, along a shoreline, or looking up at the clouds, I am both captivated and absorbed by my surroundings, saving the majestic images for future use in my paintings...

Before I paint, I engage in a short meditation or a quiet moment in order to prepare myself to open my heart to the process and give myself permission to be open and free to experiment and let go of any preconceived ideas. I paint in oils, and although I can create texture and thickness with my paint, I prefer to begin my paintings with faster-drying applications of heavy bodied medium textures, using palette knifes or large trowels to apply them to my canvas. I add and secure torn paper, metal, wood, sand, stones or whatever piques my interest, not thinking too much about placement or my final product. I don't sketch or work from photos. I rely on my internalized experiences and emotions to express themselves onto my canvas. I let the colors of my palette evolve for each painting. I might begin with softer tones but as the painting evolves, I add contrasts of deeper tones and more dramatic accents of color. I constantly turn my canvas looking for mood, balance, composition and color contrast. As I turn the painting, I see something I didn't see before. It is truly an exploration, and that's what I love about painting; the evolution of finding something new and different. It's not always easy to know when a painting is finished, but as soon as the painting intuitively feels right, and reveals the balance and emotional impact of what I'm feeling, then I'm confident it's finished.

Mark Rothko's paintings were early influences for my work with his large fields of color, and depth that continue stirs emotions within me. If my artwork can evoke an emotional effect and take my viewers on a personal journey, I have achieved my intention. My mentor, Tadashi Hayakawa, impacts me much the same. His mentorship has encouraged more freedom of expression and looseness in my work, and he has also inspired me to push beyond my self-imposed limitations.

 Artist’s CV

 “You Don’t Choose Art. Art Chooses You”

  • Melanie Warsinske holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Texas Tech University with a major in Studio Art Painting and a minor in Ceramics.

    In 1976, her last year of college, she participated in a summer painting & clay workshop in Taos, New Mexico.

    From 2010 to 2013, Melanie has also studied under the mentorship of Japanese artist Tadashi Hayakawa, and their friendship continues to this day.

    In 2016, she attended the Chacala Artist in Residence Program in Chacala, Mexico.

    In 2017, Melanie participated in Michael Cellan's fascinating Clay Printmaking Workshop and has created paintings exploring the clay printmaking process. Melanie now teaches a variety of painting classes, sharing both her love and passion for abstract painting.

    Melanie is also grateful for her selected artwork to be shown In print in Tadashi's three published Art books.

  • Transformation of deeply rooted memories and experiences into abstract paintings is a true talent and gift of Melanie Warsinske. Melanie's opportunities to travel started at a young age. She was born in Washington, D.C., but the family moved often due to her father's military assignments, both in the United States and abroad. Although it was challenging for Melanie to develop roots and friendships, her experiences of different cultures and environments had a positive impact on her life. Melanie developed her love of nature and the outdoors with a fascination of landscapes, seascapes and skies. One cherished tradition was the family's rustic cabin at Rosebud Lake nestled in Montana's beautiful backcountry, her family and relatives convened in the beautiful summers when possible. Melanie subconsciously absorbed experiences of the natural environment deep within her soul. Her external senses were being internalized and stored that would later be expressed in her paintings.

    Melanie's introduction to art would not be considered ordinary, however, there are artistic and creative genes in the family. Melanie's interest in art was inspired by her high school history teacher, Mrs. Hardy. She would have no idea that giving Melanie the opportunity to draw pictures, and more importantly, encouraging Melanie to study art in college would ultimately change the course of Melanie's life and become one of the most empowering decisions she ever made. Melanie's family supported her art decision 110 percent, and they have been in constant support of her artistic journey ever since!

    Inspired by the quote, "You don't choose art, art chooses you," was exactly how Melanie felt the minute she started painting in college. Art professors, Paul Hannah, Hugh Gibbons and Paul Milosevich inspired her dreams of becoming an artist! Having never painted before, these inspirational professors let Melanie soar and experiment with no limits to her paintings and introduced her to mixed media such as textures, wood and metal. Melanie engrossed herself in the process and worked in the painting studio day and night, earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Texas Tech University with a major in Studio Art and a minor in Ceramics in 1976. Just before graduation, Melanie was honored with a one-woman show in the Texas Tech University art department where her large format paintings adorned the hallways. Melanie's entire college experience helped her find her artistic voice, her confidence, and her forever love of art!

    Melanie's paintings continue to evoke emotions among her patrons. One stated, "Your paintings stir so many different feelings all at once. They take me on a journey." Melanie's oil and mixed media paintings accentuate both dramatic and subtle effects to her canvas. There is nothing off limits. She builds and subtracts in both her textural uses and her paint applications, releasing whatever innate emotion bubbles to the surface. Those inspirations have continued to give life and intrigue to Melanie's ever-evolving artwork to this day.

    In 2010, Melanie was fortunate to meet her mentor, Tadashi Hayakawa, renowned Japanese artist whose mentorship breathed new energy and enthusiasm into Melanie's work. She participated in Tadashi's workshops for a number of years learning valuable lifelong artist lessons and will forever cherish his friendship. Melanie has been published in two of Tadashi's books, Spirit of Power and Origin, as well as being accepted to show her artwork in the Nagasaki Museum of Art's LELA Peace Exhibition in Nagasaki, Japan in 2012, 2014 and 2017. Melanie has also worked in Technical Illustration with Wyle Laboratories from 1976 to 1978; served as an Art Production artist with Loo Art/Current, Inc. from 1978-1980; worked as a self-employed graphic designer from 1984 -2000; and a Color Study Artist with Zendig Enterprises from 2008-2009.

  • From the minute Melanie started painting, the artwork she produced was in the Abstract style. Her paintings are a combination of oil paint and mixed media and she has produced a series of works that are predominately non-objective with no evident subject matter, or they depict abstracted horses and aspen trees. Melanie's intrigue with different textures inspired her to create her own technique of adding unique findings to her canvas. Whether it is a piece of tree bark, barnwood, rusted metal, copper, sand, modeling gels or handmade papers; the textures Melanie chooses are inspired by her memories of personal experiences.

  • Melanie's artwork has been published in Core of Life, Power of Spirit, Echoes of Heritage, and Origin by Tadashi Hayakawa

    Currently represented by Mirada Fine Art, Denver, CO.

    Group Art Exhibition ‘Nueva Tierra', Mirada Fine Art, CO. 2019

    Cover of Denver Life Magazine, 2018 Designer ShowHouse, Denver, CO

    Two-Man Show, Mirada Fine Art, Indian Hills, CO. 2018

    6-Person Show & Curator of ‘Resonance, A Journey Ignited Through Light', Lakewood Cultural Center, CO. 2018

    Solo exhibition, ‘Introspective Journey: Melanie Warsinske, Lakewood Cultural Center, CO. 2017

    Two-Man Show, ‘Infinite Rock', Rogue West Gallery, Steamboat Springs, CO. 2017

    6-Person Show, Los Arcos de Arte, Chacala, MX. 2016

    Solo Exhibition, Artwork Network Gallery, Denver, CO. 2015

    International "Peace" Exhibition at the Nagasaki Art Museum in Nagasaki, Japan. 2016, 2014, 2012.

    Paul Milosevich Invitational at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX. 2000