With a flair for creativity, I am constantly challenging myself to do new things. There are many artists, photographers and creative geniuses who I admire, and I’ve also discovered a natural talent for painting, photography and multimedia artwork.
Photography
My photography has been featured in Minnesota Monthly magazine and awarded Photo of the Day on Capture Minnesota. I also used my photographs to illustrate a collection of poetry in a self-published chapbook, entitled Hope in the Hoarfrost.
Unless otherwise noted, images on this website and my blog are photographs I’ve taken on my travels. There are many exceptions, though. So, please visit the About page to read about the talented photographers who have graciously shared their photography!
Painting
After a life-altering event in 2011, I turned to painting for peace and healing. Over the course of several years, I painted more than two dozen scenes in a series of silhouettes on 24 x 12 canvases. Much of my work deals with themes of loss and recovery.
To my surprise, these paintings have touched many people in my life. They were featured at Art-A-Whirl 2013, the largest open studio tour in the U.S., which is held annually in Northeast Minneapolis. Following the studio tour, Red Bird Chapbooks offered to publish “Mauve Memories” on the cover of a nonfiction chapbook entitled We Had To Go On Living.
With the support of Altered Esthetics, four of my paintings were also selected for a gallery exhibit called “Thirty Years of Hope” at the Minneapolis Central Library. The exhibit was held to raise funds for the Minnesota AIDS Project. During the show, my paintings were reviewed by Lavender Magazine.
From time to time, I also look for opportunities to exhibit my paintings in local galleries and coffee shops.
Artist’s Statement
As a self-taught artist, I paint with mindful brush strokes, juxtaposing darkness and shadow with brilliant light. The resulting images depict the radiant colors that can appear in a storm at twilight, if only we can find it in ourselves to see.
melissa f. kaelin 