About Melinda

I’ve always been surrounded by the trappings of an artist. My mother was an illustrator and painter and she always encouraged my artistic efforts. I studied at the Columbus College of Art and Design in Ohio then later at The American Academy of Art in Chicago. It was at the Academy where my instructor, Irving Shapiro, inspired me to take up watercolors.

The list of artists I admire is too long to list, but everyone of the artists I’ve studied with has left a bit of their painting philosophy with me. I try to share the knowledge I’ve acquired from these accomplished artists with my watercolor students.

My work is generally representational but I find myself drawn to a more expressionistic style. Subject matter? The underwater paintings are great fun because they afford a lot of play with refracted light. Although I’m just as excited to undertake painting a landscape and I am very fond of painting people. The best advice I got was to enjoy the journey, and I plan to do just that.