Paradise Painting

Melissa Ayr, born in New York, is an abstract painter that paints with energy, emotion and color and she refuses to conform to standard art rules. She incorporates high energy, fluidity, growth and life. She changes her environment and uses the materials around her to create her art in the moment. From oils, to acrylics, to inks, to chalks, to watercolors, each painting is original and inspired by the energy of the moment and each piece has a story. Melissa's art is mostly created using her fingers, hands, breasts, and her body. She will occasionally use brushes but prefers to push the edge of painting by using her body and an endless variation of objects and materials. Melissa continues to push the boundaries of abstract art just as those who influenced her. Melissa is inspired by the lives and art of Picasso, Pollock, Kandinsky, Frankenthaler, Chagall, Da Vinci, Monet, & Degas. Melissa has worked with some brilliant creative minds in the art world. While living in Lake Tahoe she did plein air paintings with David DA Russo a student of Pablo Picasso. Picasso taught David to create and create and create. Melissa learned that the number one rule in being an artist is to always create art. Melissa has been painting her whole life. From the early age of 3 she began painting under the watchful eye of her creative family. Melissa's Mother had a keen sense for fashion and design and was accepted into the New York School of Design. Her Mother's plans to become a designer turned to motherhood at the early age of 17. Melissa's Grandfather was also an artist and she feels lucky to have the support and encouragement of her family from early on. She knew at a very young age that she was going make art a lifetime endeavor. "Ever since I was a child, my dream was to become a renowned artist; it's the dream that drives me." Melissa's art has been sought after for private collections and has a client base in France, UK, Sweden, Australia, China and the United States. Melissa has recently exhibited as the sole American artist featured at The Wild Foundation 2009 World Congress in Yucatan, Mexico. This event held esteemed representation by Dr. Jane Goodall and the President of Mexico. Melissa has also been invited to be the sole artist at the NFL All-Star Celebrity Super bowl Bash in Florida which is raising funds to build a new hospital in Haiti. To Melissa Ayr, art represents much more than just painting on canvas.