Saturday, May 25, 2013

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Melissa Ayr: Painting with Air

Melissa Ayr Interview with Silicon Valley Open Studios. It just Aired on PBS. Enjoy!!!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Contemporary Artist Paints with a Leaf Blower

Contemporary Artist Paints with a Leaf Blower
Melissa Ayr Paints “Poppy Collection” with Air
Melissa Ayr - Poppy Collection - Leaf Blower - Golden Gate Bridge 75th
Contemporary Abstract Artist, Melissa Ayr is an artist who paints with air. Ayr has emerged from her studio with a fresh perspective on contemporary painting with her unique practice of using a leaf blower to push paint on canvas. Ayr releases her latest works as a collection inspired by California, the Poppy Collection sets the tone and elements of this floral series with vibrant luminosity. Classically trained in the elements of composition, color and perspective, Ayr creates her own canvas and color pallet with a mixture of pigment, oil and acrylic. The Poppy collection is a body of work created entirely using air. Her instrument of choice is her signature leaf blower which enables Melissa to move layers of paint across the canvas with swift strokes creating an ethereal style that is neither tempered nor deliberate.

Video: Painting with Air - In the Studio with AYR



Ayr is not new to the concept of layering. There is a natural evolution that has taken place that has developed painting by painting and continues to evolve still. With experimentation comes new ground as she defines the style of work she builds. Ayr will often start with the colors at hand and expand. Pushing, pulling and mixing to create her unique art. Paint flows, it dries, it lies somewhere betwixt a liquid and permanence. With the addition of paint, layers form to create a background ripe for expansion or content to be present. Ayr applies the paint in translucent layers on the Canvas and is able to control the air to bend and shape into the essence of floral.
Melissa has been known to use non-traditional methods to produce her works. She has painted with her fingers, hands, arms, breasts, feet and her entire body often bathing in the colors she uses to create. Drizzling, pouring, flowing, throwing have been in her artistic repertoire as tools in her arsenal. Melissa is not attuned to any prescribed method, but chooses to be sporadic, spontaneous and unabashed in her approach to a new piece.
The art world awakens in Miami during the month of December for a host of premiere art fairs, events and all night parties. Art Basel Miami Beach, Red Dot, Pool, NADA Art Fair, Verge Art Miami Beach, and Art Miami will all be on view in early December.
The Poppy Collection will be featured at Red Dot Miami, DECEMBER 5th-8th, 2012. in Florida. Wynwood Art District, 3011 NE 1st Avenue (at NW 31st Street), Miami, FL 33137.
To find out more about the upcoming exhibition and artist Melissa Ayr visit http://www.melissaayr.com.
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About Artist Melissa Ayr:
Melissa Ayr, born in New York, is an international contemporary abstract artist. She was nationally recognized and selected as one of ten artists represented by Ruinart Champagne, a brand of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey. Her art is on the cutting edge of color with bold flowing blends of light and dark. Her style is colorful, vibrant, and full of texture. She incorporates high energy, fluidity, growth and life. She’s known for her rich vibrant color and her ability to create dimension on a flat canvas. http://www.melissaayr.com.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Poppy Collection - Ayr uses air to create latest body of work.

Melissa Ayr - Poppy Collection - Leaf Blower - Golden Gate Bridge 75th

Contemporary Artist, Melissa Ayr releases her latest works as a collection inspired by California.  The Poppy Collection sets the tone and elements of this floral body with vibrant luminosity.   Ayr creates her own canvas and color pallet, with a mixture of Pigments and Acrylic.  Ayr creates her latest collection using Air produced by a leaf blower.  Ayr applies the paint in translucent layers on the Canvas and is able to control the air to bend and shape into the 'essence of floral'.

Melissa Ayr - Poppy Collection - Cinnabar
"Cinnabar" - Poppy Collection
Pigment, Acrylic on Canvas
48" x 60" x 1½"

Ayr with roots in New York, Los Angeles & San Francisco celebrates 75 years of the Golden Gate Bridge which she could see from her High School in San Francisco and her Alma Mater U.C. Berkeley.  “’The Bridge’ has always been a source of inspiration for me as a marvel of human imagination and ingenuity.”

Melissa Ayr - Poppy Collection - Honey - Golden Gate Bridge 75th  Melissa Ayr - Poppy Collection - Sunlight Peaking Through - Golden Gate Bridge 75th
The Golden Gate Bridge is an important structure in Ayr’s history.
  • Ayr spent time at UCSF hospital after her near death experience in an auto accident.  The Bridge was visible from her hospital room and was an element of inspiration for her recovery.
  • Ayr spent time working with the Golden Gate Bridge Crisis Hotline to help individuals that are considering jumping off of the bridge.
  • Ayr was part of the 50th Anniversary and was able to walk on the Bridge during that celebration.

Melissa Ayr - Contemporary Abstract Artist