Melanie Morstad
ASA
Biography
One can hardly grow up under the canvas of Saskatchewan’s “Living Skies” without feeling an intimate connection to the vast landscapes and florals that often inspire the paintings of Melanie Morstad. As an active outdoor enthusiast, Melanie’s passion for nature is boldly expressed with colour, texture and an emotional connection.
Melanie’s Business Degree in Marketing combined with the study of painting at the Alberta College of Art and Design, has led to a thriving career as a professional artist. She curated and implemented over 175 pieces of original art in a permanent outdoor gallery in Alberta’s Fish Creek Provincial Park. She is the President of the Burns Visual Arts Society, Canada’s oldest artist cooperative; co-founder of the Parkland Solstice Festival Society; juried member of the Alberta Society of Artists and participates in various arts organizations. Melanie is a professional GOLDEN artist educator who teaches workshops worldwide. As a positive and enthusiastic mentor, she has developed a loyal following of students since 2005. Her work can be found in numerous collections and galleries.
Artist Statement
Growing up under the canvas of Saskatchewan’s “Living Skies” has profoundly influenced my artistic vision. My inspiration comes from nature: light dancing in abstract reflections on water, trees bowing to the wind, the contemplation of a gurgling creek, the passionate hues of sunset.
The common thread throughout my paintings is an energetic expression of colour.
My early watercolours impact my paintings today. I love the fluidity of water-based media but seek an extra punch of colour and texture which I find in Acrylics. Starting with a spontaneous process of pouring, dripping and spraying on a flat surface, imagery emerges. Needing to cover the canvas quickly, I attack with a paint-loaded brush, textured gels and pastes or a bottle of ink. I work on multiple paintings at once, allowing the inks and mixed media to dry before returning for another round of pouring, spraying and brushing. The surface texture is often enhanced with gels, pastes, collage and mixed media. My painting process is like dancing: a tango at the beginning, slowing to a waltz near the end.
© Melanie Morstad – Living In The Wild West
© Melanie Morstad Living In The Wild West
© Melanie Morstad – Ha Ling Peak
© Melanie Morstad Ha Ling Peak