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Melissa Fice
CANADA
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“My paintings depict feminine portraits, gardens, floral arrangements and symbols.”
Melissa Fice is a contemporary artist whose work embodies mind-manifesting by depicting an inner universe that symbolizes the mind and psyche. Her artwork embodies her over-active imagination by incorporating various elements including portraits, motifs, symbols and objects. She often daydreams as a way to escape reality, a reality that has become chaotic and immersed in a global pandemic.
The Big Bang | Acrylic
$2,500
The Big Bang embodies mind-manifesting by depicting an inner universe that symbolizes the mind and psyche. The bright colored motifs against the black background create a strong contrast, mimicking features found in psychedelic art from the 1960s.
She often works with acrylic paint on wooden panels, playing with matte and metallic finishes. Acrylic paint works best for her style because of its quick drying time. More recently she has begun exploring watercolor paints, she is able to build up layers of washes and add fine details to her work.
Fading Dream | Acrylic
$200
This painting depicts a black and white eye in the centre surrounded by colourful flowers. The flowers fade to grey as they get closer to the eye. It illustrates how dreams change and fade away over time.
Melissa studied art at OCAD University in Toronto, Ontario. Since graduating and working on bettering her mental state, her work has begun to evolved. Her work left behind bleak color combinations and she introduced bright colors to her palette.
“My daydreaming is becoming attached to images and using these mental sketches throughout my work.”
Her use of color gives her work a playful energy. Using bright colors against a black background makes them pop and stand out. The contrast between colors has become an important element in her work. Her work is bright, colorful and refined.
Fruit Punch | Mixed Media
$160
I was inspired by 1990s aesthetics which reminds me of my childhood. The use of bright colours and abstract lines. Carpets at arcades that are black with random geometric patterns and outer space themes. Stickers and doodles that would fill school notebooks.
A cosmic garden sits beneath the stars and planets. Three figures are standing amongst the flowers that appear to be otherworldly. This futuristic painting depicts what life might look like in the next millennia.
Cosmic Garden | Acrylic
$350
She thinks gardens have always been a happy place, filled with beautiful flowers and lush greens. One of her favorite places to visit is Allen Garden Conservatory in Toronto, Ontario. The garden is housed in a beautiful horticultural pavilion, filled with tropical plants, palm trees and seasonal flowers.
“For me, watercolor paint creates dream-like atmosphere. By combining my subject matter together, I create paintings that explore the mind and psyche.”
“My work reflects my mood and state of mind, which influences my choice in color, line and shape.”
Providing a space to explore and incorporate these tropical plants into her work. She draws inspiration form fashion magazines, gardens, antiques and other art movements.
Nostalgic Vibe | Acrylic
$450
Nostalgic Vibes is inspired by 1980s decor, advertising, and illustrations. The colour scheme is bright and eye catching.
Art nouveau and art deco have influenced her work greatly. The use of shapes, geometric patterns and floral motifs have left an imprint on her painting style. Flowers and plants have become important elements in her work. They bring a sense of life and enjoyment to the painting.
Transcending | Acrylic
$450
This painting is inspired by stained glass windows and witchcraft. The panels come together to illustrate a story.
Another aspect of her work is feminine portraits, often influenced by fashion magazines. They are comprised of angular shapes that make up the face, often inspired by art deco. Her portraits often seem otherworldly and disconnected from reality.
A figure is seen standing in a garden. She has a dream-like expression and is drifting away into her imagination. Smoke is wisping around her head as she drifts away.
Cotton Candy Dream | Watercolor
$90
“Painting starts with mental sketches, gathering references and creating a rough outline”
Paradise | Watercolor
$225
A gate opens up underneath the sky. It reveals a beautiful palace, decorated with bright coloured motifs. Two herons fly above the gate, while a deer is seen wandering through the palace. Lush green plants grow beneath the heavens.
Her work is very clean and has an illustrative style. Once she has an idea for a painting, it becomes stuck in her head. Objects, motifs, figures, colors and shapes are some of the subject matters that she fixates on. By incorporating all of these elements together she evokes her mind and psyche.
Tending to the garden symbolizes change. The garden is being fixed and mended. At the top, left corner a needle and thread repairs torn leaves. While a pair of embroidery scissors trim away unwanted branches. The garden is always growing and always changing.
Tending to the Garden | Watercolor
$275
Creating paintings that express herself and her interests. Her mind and psyche have always played an important part of her art process. It allows her to create unique works of art.
Unity | Acrylic
$650
Tree branches weave around portraits of female figures. Each portrait is unique and together they create a balanced composition. The blue background brings a sense of unity among the cluster of faces.
“Painting has always been important to me; it provides me with a way to express myself.”
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