Take a Survey!

Take part in our online survey

Click the link above if you are interested in taking an art class from me in my studio. I will begin to offer classes in October and I need help understanding what people want for an art class. I would appreciate you taking time to answer 20 questions. Please fill out one survey for each individual in your household interested in taking a class. And forward on to anyone else you know of or think would be interested in taking a class!

Thank you Deltas!

Thank you Delta Sigma Theta women for your patronage today at the 15th Annual Literary Luncheon featuring keynote speaker and best-selling author Walter Mosley! Your support almost sold me out of my inventory- actually some titles did! Your comments and feedback about my work motivates me to keep on doing what I do. I appreciate all of you lovely women!

If this is your first time visiting my site, please take a look at the many pages of my portfolio and go to my CONTACTS page where you can click on the link to access my Facebook Fan Page and become a fan!!! There you will find out about upcoming events and shows, see process of current work, and get first hand access to promotions. 

CLICK HERE to "like" Melodee's Fan Page!

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY

to order a print of "What You Think, What It Is" to receive your FREE t-shirt!

There are still deals available so make your order today before its too late!

Click on the PROMOTIONS page to get to the deal!

Northside Poster Illustration

Here are snapshots of my process from sketch to final while painting the illustration for the Northside relief poster. Information on how you can order a poster when you contribute to the fund and how you can bid on the original will be announced soon! Your donation will go towards tornado relief efforts as well as arts programming in North Minneapolis. 

I painted this illustration on wood panel with a half-inch profile. After using a wood burning tool to trace my sketch, I painted with ink, gouache, and acrylic. I then added texture and layer of color by marking with color pencil in areas. The original painting is 24"x18". The last photo is of the final illustration.

New Promotions Page

I've added a new page to my blog! Visit the PROMOTIONS page to see what current deals I am offering with my art! Right now there is a promotion I am offering in conjunction with Fade 2 Blaq. Want to know what it is? Go to the page and see for yourself! 

Fade 2 Blaq Murals

For Fade 2 Blaq, I was asked to contribute some of my mural painting into the exhibit. I designed a graffiti inspired image that I painted in black and white to be consistent with the over-all design of the show. When I was finished, Sean asked me to paint a design he created for the elevator entry area to second floor before coming into the exhibit. Here are some of the pictures taken during my process and the finished work. 

Original Sketch

Sketch with value added

My helpers- Chris Deanes and my son tracing the outline of the sketch using a projector.

And the painting begins...

The final painting!

Sketch for the second mural designed by Sean Garrison

Mural #2 complete! 

My "Hair" series continues...

What You Think, What It Is
Acrylic
30" x 40"

I finished this latest work just in time for Fade 2 Blaq. And what a hit it has been. We had over 500 visitors at the exhibition opening night. I was so busy selling and signing books that I didn't even have a chance to mingle with folks. When I did, people really LOVED this piece. Sean insisted that the piece greet everyone when they enter the gallery space. She is one of the first images you will see when you come through the door. It makes me feel good that my art can captivate and move people as this piece has. 


I have added this to my "paintings" page on this blog along with my other "Hair" pieces in the series. I have a few more paintings I will be working on in the coming months that will incorporate human hair that has been donated to me. I also plan to paint children with their natural "big" hair (when I think they look the most beautiful). If you are interested in purchasing this piece, send me an email. I also have limited edition artist  prints and giclee prints available for purchase. 

I Am Not My Hair
Acrylic
30" x 40"

This is another piece that has been resonating with admirers. It has connected with just about every woman that has been in contact with it, including cancer survivors and one bald man!  


This is also available for sale along with limited edition artist prints and giclee prints.

Black Art in America.com/events/fade2blaq
Our show has been added to the Black Art in America Calendar of Events! Check it out and then its your turn... mark your calendar and see you there!

I've started my next painting to include in my Hair Series. The title for this piece is still a work in progress because the one I have for it now is too long, "I am not my 'Fro but my 'Fro is part of Me". Who knows? It may stick. 

Here are snapshots of my process so far... 

 

 

http://www.fade2blaq.blogspot.com/

The final preparations are coming along for our show next month! So far 16 artists are in the show and we have sponsors lining up to contribute to the opening event! Check out the blog and stay up to date with announcements about the show and related events! Mark your calendars!

Don't forget to attend the opening reception at the Hennepin Gallery in the Minneapolis Government Center tonight! Its open to the public from 6-8pm. My paintings and other work from the artists in my artist group are being exhibited this month in honor of Black History Month. Hope to see you!

I was going through some of my back-up files today trying to find images for my website (working on that as we speak) and I came across these pics taken of me doing a portrait demo at Utrecht Art Supplies store in Minneapolis. I've done these before usually drawing a customer's face but this time it was a self portrait. 

Oakdale Patch Article
Here is an article about the mural I worked on in Oakdale, MN over the summer! 

I'm getting really excited for our show FADE2BLAQ in March! Not only for the local artists that have accepted our invitation to exhibit and sell but for a chance for me to get some of my ideas on canvas! I will be continuing to add more pieces to my "Hair" series and starting to paint a new body of work. 

My work will be exhibited and up for sale in this upcoming show at my studio! 

For more information click on the link!

fade2blaq.blogspot.com