Melissa Herrington is a contemporary abstract artist currently living and working in Los Angeles, California. She has called Southern California home since 2005 where she received her MFA from Otis College of Art and Design. Prior to that, she spent most of her early career in Atlanta, Georgia and has a BFA from Florida State University. She has exhibited both nationally and internationally. Her works are represented by multiple prestigious galleries.
My aim is to create abstract paintings that are contemplative and evocative. The organic quality of my textured marks lends an ephemeral feeling, images imply fluidity. This “unfinished” surface represents an unfolding of possibility. I use the transparent stains and the opaqueness of color. I explore spontaneous, gestural marks and subtle forms through abstraction. I attempt to show the steps of picture making. Layers are integral to my imagery and process; I use underpainting, graphite lines and subtractive techniques to infuse a work with multiple surfaces. These pieces are about process, one mark leads to the next. My work examines the theme of transformation.
In the studio I work on many pieces at once and so my studio wall is always full of paintings. The works are constantly shifted around, being placed and reordered. I see this wall as a developing story, a set of possibilities.
My paintings are representative of my path, which is inspired by adventure and independence, and my love of color and texture. For me travel is a major catalyst for my evolving themes and artistic practice. I am exploring spontaneous, gestural marks and subtle female forms through abstraction. In all my works color and shape are both organic and intuitive and feminine.