Melissa Ayr - Releases Painting "Pink Whip"

"Pink Whip"
Acrylic Painting on Canvas
48 x 36 x 1½

"Pink Whip" was created in 2009 and was the inspiration that led Melissa into creating "Wild Thing". This artwork was responsible for transitioning the cloud-like color blends Melissa had been focused on into a Jackson Pollock driven creative free for all. Melissa maintains a robust presence of the color pink whilst orange and yellow tease the canvas with complementary style. This artwork was recently sold to one of Dallas' premiere art collectors.

Melissa Ayr - Releases Painting Monarch

"Monarch"
Mixed Media Painting on Canvas
48" x 96" x 3"

"Monarch" is the latest painting produced by prolific abstract artist Melissa Ayr. Monarch represents the transition from somber funk to joyous exuberance. Melissa Ayr has always been inspired by Pablo Picasso and originally worked to produce an homage to Picasso with this large eight foot canvas. Underneath the many layers of paint on this painting is a sketch of Picasso's 'Guernica' done in purple soft chalk pastel. The spirit of Picasso was present.

While inspired by Picasso, Melissa's mood was more focused on the free flowing energy of the music she heard in her studio. During the painting of this piece Melissa was listening to Black Eye Peas and was dancing to "Imma Be" at her peak of inspiration. Her painting transformed from 'Guernica' to 'Monarch' and drove forward an extension of Melissa's unique colorful style.

This painting employs several techniques and media. While keeping true to painting with her body, she also uncovered a new method to produce powerful poignant splatters across the divide of the canvas frame. This piece is a true multimedia journey as Melissa worked Oil, Acrylic, Latex, Gloss, and Soft Chalk Pastel into the custom made hand stretched natural cotton duct canvas.

This piece was created during the months of March and April of 2010 in Melissa's studio, as well as, plein air. While outside a butterfly flew by and landed on the canvas, which inspired the name 'Monarch'.

Where the wild things are

Where the Wild Things are is one of my all time favorite books. What a treat is was to hear Maurice Sendak read his book to a group of us at a convention in Oregon. He describes his journey of his relationship with his family. Each person is a different monster in the book. Max goes on a journey of self discovery going on an adventure and returning back to the beginning complete.

My favorite part of the story was when the characters have a wild rumpus. They howl at the moon, dance in the forest, they make their hearts sing while experiencing bliss. They enjoy themselves completely with out the worry of what someone else will think of them. They are truly free to become a wild thing.

I have always been touched by a wildness of the wind as it whips around the tress and tumbles through the mountains. Its movement has color and sound and evokes curiosity and wonder in the crevasse of the mind spilling into ones imagination. I tap into my creativity and bring forth the images that my max has created and let others view what I see. Sometimes looking at things from a different point of view allows you to see things in a clear light.

At one of my art shows in Lake Tahoe, a patron looked at my triptych image of the sierras and the colors of the wild and exclaimed "That's Wild!" from then on I have used "Let your imagination run wild." as my personal representation of my style of art.

I was recently invited to be apart of the Wild9 World Wildness Congress. The painting that I donated titled "WILD THING" finds itself on a journey to Mexico where the World Congress will be held this year in November. My image is painted on 72 x 48 x 3 inch cotton duct canvas. The money raised from the images will go to keeping the wilderness wild. For more information check out their website at http://www.wild9.org.

I know that I have a little max inside of me; my own wild side emerges when I am able to express myself through my art work. I create for myself. I find pleasure in being able to bring something that has not been done before to live though my own hands. I love the feeling of the cold paint in my hands as I am able to shape textures and add color to my overall composition.

My images are sometimes larger than life. This allows the viewer to escape into the paintings and become a part of them. A momentary release from the everyday is what we need. By diving into my painting and looking at things from a different point of view one is able to take a peek into my own imagination and let things run wild.

Thank you
Melissa Ayr, Artist
"Let your imagination run wild!" ™

http://www.melissaart.com


Wild Thing
72" x 48" x 3"
Acrylic on Cotton Duct Canvas
Donated to The Wild Foundation
to be auctioned off at the
WILD9 World Wilderness Congress
to be held in Mexico November 2009

Please support this great cause.