Ab Study 1 Drawing

Former Wall Streeter and New York City real estate agent, Melissa Randall, is a self-taught visual artist. Fascinated and moved by the concept of “Satcitānanda” (Existence, Consciousness, Bliss) in Eastern Philosophy which describes the source for all consciousness and perfection and is a description of the subjective experience of Brahman. This is the sublimely blissful experience of boundless, pure consciousness and is a glimpse into ultimate reality. Melissa’s work is her personal study of “Satcitānanda”, which is currently focused on the pleasures that makes us feel most deeply alive; finding inspiration in dance and romantic connection. While she does not surmise to tell the viewer how to interpret her work; Melissa’s hope is that it will inspire the viewer to consider what makes them feel most alive. Working primarily in hyper-realistic charcoal renditions of her subjects; she often adds additional texture and contrast to her work with pastel and/or sprayed acetone. As her style has developed, she has become more and more drawn to the moody sensuality and edge of the Noir visual style, using severe contrast and dramatic shadows that remind her of nightlife in NYC. Most of Melissa’s works are framed to complete her vision of the final piece. Born and raised in Denver, CO Melissa has lived and worked in Manhattan for most of her adult life. After many years as an arts hobbyist and a series of life-changing events, in 2015 she made the decision to follow her “authentic-self” into a deeper exploration of art and her specific expression of it professionally. After temporarily living in Denver, CO to focus on developing her style as well as returning to the University of Colorado Denver to compete a bachelor degree majoring in Political Science with a minor in Economics, Melissa will be returning to live and work in the NYC area in the late summer of 2020.