Melissa's Art House

My hopes, passions, and dreams are explored within these pages. You have discovered a place that speaks not only through words but through the thoughts, emotions, and contemplations of an artist. My artwork is very distinct and individualistic in nature, as I dance to the beat of a different drum. While I may draw from the traditional methods and techniques of the past, I do not subject my art to the dogma of any age, nor do I attempt to satisfy the needs of any passing fad or trend. Instead, I use my art to create an eclectic fusion between past and present, old and new. While I build my art on the solid traditions and foundations of the past, I also reach toward the visions and innovations of the future.

Technically speaking, I choose to utilize a form of imaginative realism because it is both rational and expressive, and evokes an objective reality to convey subjective ideas. Ultimately, I wish to utilize this style to create skilled, beautiful, and meaningful work which contributes to the field of contemporary art. During the summer, between pursuing my degrees at a leading college, I study at Studio Incammati, an ARC-approved atelier. Through these studies, however brief, I have drastically improved my artistic skills and have advanced the technical quality and emotional resonance of my work.

On a larger scale, I believe that art should be exalted and celebrated because it functions as an indispensable part of our namesake, an invaluable gauge of our culture, and a timeless gift to our posterity. It is not fuelled by movements so much as by individuals, who apply every skill at their disposal in order to realize their full intellectual and moral visions.

Within this site, I have provided my personal album, biography, and gallery of recent work. I've also provided links to some of the finest contemporary painters of our age who have inspired my own work, and a recommended reading list for students interested in learning more about realism and how to acquire the skills they need to make it happen. Thank you for your visit; I hope that you enjoy the site!

Best Wishes,

Melissa Hardison