Melissa Skowron, a Calgary native, embarked on her artistic journey two decades ago at the Alberta University of the Arts. While oil painting had always been a passion, it was the allure of watercolour that captured her imagination after graduation. This medium became a gateway to expand her artistic horizons and delve deeper into the exploration of transformative and natural themes evident in her vibrantly coloured canvases.
She has dedicated her life to the pursuit of artistic expression, capturing the essence of metamorphosis and the raw beauty of the natural world. Beyond her personal artistic endeavours, she has shared her passion for art with younger generations, nurturing their creativity and inspiring a love for the visual arts. Melissa is currently seeking new avenues to showcase her work and engage with the broader artistic community through exhibitions, residencies, and submissions.
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Which neighbourhood are you in?
I live in Evergreen, a community in the southwest near Spruce Meadows. I live with my husband, Trevor, and our children.
The neighbourhood itself is quite charming and feels like a tidy village in a Hallmark movie. It’s common to come home to a small gang of deer grazing in our yard or hear the excited hoot of an owl hunting in our backyard at dusk.
What do you do?
I’m a visual artist, and I primarily work with oil and watercolour paint. Most of the time I have an oil painting and a watercolor painting in progress at the same time. I love to explore the same themes in two different kinds of mediums to see where each path takes me.
I’m also interested in expanding my practice to create more immersive experiences, including murals, installations, and soundscapes.
What are you currently working on?
I’m working on a series of oil and watercolour paintings titled ‘Mother/MENACE!’, which explore themes of transformation, protection and the special relationship between women’s bodies and the natural world.
The oil paintings in the series are a merging of women and different animals using a blend of techniques and a supercharged colour palette. Right now, I’m working with images of a swimmer and different kinds of jellyfish. I love the sense of wonder, beauty and ultimately, terror that lies within the lacy folds and bluming bells of their forms.
Where can we find your work?
While I’m in the cocoon phase of making my work, you can find my work on Instagram, TikTok and on my website. I post all announcements of upcoming exhibitions on my socials.
