“Nature Magnified” by Resident Artist, Melissa Zane

Nature Magnified is a collection of large-scale acrylic paintings that focus on the individual aspects of the natural world. This series enhances the design elements that make up their larger wholes by exploring color, texture, and light. Each piece takes on a life of its own from inception to unanticipated outcomes, depicting my unique interpretation of natural beauty.

Beyond showcasing the obvious, the sheer size of the subject matter encourages viewers to look deeper. Color guides the eye, inviting harmony and repetition or urging an examination of design beyond mere color. Texture contributes a sense of depth and complexity through high-relief ornamentation, intricate patterns, and my organic style. The incorporation of metallic and iridescent paints means that light transforms the viewer’s perception based on different angles and varying times of day, whether under natural or artificial light.

Overall, the series invites viewers on a fascinating journey of exploration that goes beyond the surface, encouraging a greater appreciation for nature and the small natural elements surrounding us.

Melissa Zane Artist Statement:

The Art Nouveau style, William Morris (English textile designer), Georgia O’Keeffe, and design in nature are my inspirations. I am captivated by the vibrant colors of flowers and the underlying textures that emerge when they are viewed in black and white. I find beauty in how sunlight dances on the tips of petals and in the playful shadows created by the eclipse of a stamen. I admire the bending and twisting branches, the burls of old tree trunks, and the curls of leaves. The natural patterns that plants create as they grow reveal a magic and beauty that goes beyond the obvious. Whenever possible, I take photographs and use plenty of reference images for my work. My art is not meant to be realistic; instead, it is a blend of reality and artistic interpretation. Each piece develops a life of its own, leading to unanticipated outcomes.

My large-scale acrylic paintings on canvas serve as my organic interpretations of natural beauty. I aim to take viewers on a fascinating journey that encourages them to explore the design elements that contribute to the larger whole, focusing on color, texture, and light. My work often combines patterns, earth tones, splashes of bright colors against dark backgrounds, and metallic or iridescent paints to highlight various design details from different viewing angles.

I start with a base coat of acrylic paint to define the space, then I layer additional paint while experimenting with shapes and colors. I apply bright colors first, followed by shadows and highlights, and finally add fine details. Once I determine that a painting is complete, I sign my initials.