artist bioMelissa Jander is an award-winning Seattle area artist creating oil paintings full of color and emotion. She began her studies in the field of technical drawing and architecture, later adding a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language and Literature from Washington State University, a Graphic Design Certificate from the Art Institute of Seattle, and a Web Design Certificate from Bellevue College. Continuing art instruction included the Gage Academy in Seattle, Kirkland Arts Center, and private art instruction. Melissa is a member of Women Artists of the West, American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America, and Camano Arts Association.
Gallery affiliations include Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes, WA and Fairweather Home & Gallery in Seaside, OR, Anne Irwin Fine Art in Atlanta, GA, Tsuga Fine Art in Bothell, WA. Melissa was chosen by the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival as their poster artist for 2018. A recent show at The Scott Milo Gallery was reviewed by Stephen Hunter of the Cascadia Weekly: |
|
"...And here also are graceful, still-life pieces by Melissa Jander. They might not have been out of place in the 19th century. Or would they? On second glance, we discover subtle, cubist angles married to impressionist brushwork. Jander has found a vision which leaves her abundantly capable of freely varying her color and brushwork to make each painting appear distinct and fresh and lively —just the thing for the Skagit Valley on a gloomy day."
A reviewer at a recent show at Fairweather gallery commented:
“[The current show] will feature variety of Melissa’s beautiful still life, interior, florals, coastal and European city scenes in her unique synthesis of Post-Impressionist style art seen in the work of Van Gogh, Cezanne and Bonnard. Originating in France, the Post-Impressionist movement sought to expand the horizons of Impressionism, further exploring distortion of form and richness of color. Melissa harnesses this freedom of expression in the energetic scenes she creates."