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 Loveland Academy of Fine Art in Colorado, Gage Academy and Kirkland Arts Center in Washington, and additional private art instruction. Melissa is a Signature Member of Women Artists of the West, and Associate Member of American Impressionist Society, and Oil Painters of America, and member of Camano Arts Association.
Gallery affiliations include Fairweather House & Gallery in Seaside, OR, Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes, WA, 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. |
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Awarding Judge Jane Hunt says this about Melissa's winning painting "Lively Gathering:"
"This piece epitomizes the expression ‘painting light’. You can almost feel the air in this piece and that coupled with clever composition, strong drawing and nuanced color harmony makes the viewer keep coming back."
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."
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival writes:
"Capturing the essence of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in the 2018 poster meant Melissa painted lots of studies, experimenting with colors, adding and subtracting background and foreground images, until she was satisfied with the finished piece. Her attention to design and detail paid off with a showcase of tulips that delight."
Denise Fairweather, of Fairweather Gallery writes:
“Melissa’s beautiful paintings feature flowers grown on her Camano Island garden. She has a 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 art she creates."
A reviewer of the publication Coast Weekend 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."