Melissa Stephens

Artist Statement

My paintings are emotive abstractions guided by hope and human connection. I create visual touchstones influenced by the push and pull of life’s natural forces. Much of my earlier work responds to the narratives of others; however, my more recent paintings are rooted in my own experiences.

I often include historical and personal records of time like handwritten passages from letters and journals, photographs, dried flowers or other mementos. Emotion and memory are revealed through these, original patterns and intimate layering that invites curiosity, reflection and introspection.