Breakthrough Painting

Mel Kistner is an Orlando based artist with formal training in both art and art therapy. Her work for 12 years as a clinical therapist has heavily influenced her artwork. Mel Kistner attended Maryland Institute College of Art and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she graduated with a B.F.A in painting in 1996. Upon graduation, Mel Kistner won one of 10 graduating fellowships based on her senior show. She then began to exhibit in Chicago. Drawn by the power of images to communicate unspoken thought and emotion, she received a Master's Degree in Art Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1999. She became licensed as a clinical professional counselor and worked in a variety of mental health settings including inpatient, outpatient, home-based early intervention and private practice. During this time, she continued doing artwork. Over the 12 years she worked as a counselor Mel was able to use art as a powerful tool to help people with diverse issues, challenges and backgrounds. Her work as a therapist informed her artwork as she learned more about how thought, emotion and behavior intersect in everyday life. Several years ago, she felt God drawing her back to creating art full time and left her position as a therapist to focus on painting. Mel lived in the Chicago area for much of her career. She currently Orlando, FL area and is also a mental health coach.