Melissa Monroe

My artwork is an emotional display, vulnerable for anyone to see. Figures showing their authentic selves to find themselves, behind their outward appearance they hide; look closely and they become a mirror into who you are. A journey into the past and future. A history of a land that no-one can remember, a place that has been forgotten and a puzzle to learn the future.

I am a full time artist and mother of 3 kids under the age of 10. I started painting less than 5 years ago and have been full time for 4 of them. I paint everyday and have created over 1000 pieces of art. The majority of them have sold internationally and in the states. Painting is my passion and has changed my life

My paintings always start without a plan or a sketch. Instead I start by building color and layering shape until inspired to pull a shape forward or to stay abstract. I use mostly acrylic paint. Sometimes I also use colored pencil, pen, ink, watercolor paint and paint markers.

I believe constant change is important to a creative process and to stay inspired. I am always evolving finding new inspiration, methods and compositions. Currently I have been focused on painting pictures of circus like animals with a vintage feel. Starting as an inspira...

Self Taught Artist

ONGOING
Rental Sales Gallery, Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR
Barba Contemporary, Palm Springs, CA
Higher Art Gallery ,Traverse City, MI
True Measure Gallery, Portland, OR
The Road Gallery, New York City, NY
Une vison singuliere, Henon, France
PDX Exchange, Portland, OR

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018 “Mirrors” Art at the Cave Gallery, Vancouver, WA
2018 New Works, Melissa Monroe Albina Press North, Portland, OR
2017 Melissa Monroe Featured artist, Screaming Sky Gallery, Portland, OR
2017 “Old Circus is Dead” True Measure gallery, Portland, OR
2017 “Remove your Mask and Throw it in the sea” P;ear Gallery, Portland, OR
2016 “Black Sand” Albina Press, Portland,OR
2015 “Why is it colder at the top of the mountain if it is closer to the sun” Roll up Gallery, Portland, OR
2015 “After Birth” Nebraska Gallery, Portland, OR

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2018 “A Peaceable Kingdom” Higher Art Gallery, Traverse City, Michigan
2018 “Spring Show” Rental Sales Gallery, Portland, OR
2018 “Monster Pageant”, Portland, OR
2018 "Endangered Species" River Sea Gallery , Astoria, OR
2018 "Fierce" River Sea Gallery, Astoria, OR
2017 “Big 500” Portland, OR
2017 “Travels" a visual tribute of the music of a Tribe Called Que...