Mellissa Forman talks of portraits and nature

Q: Can you talk briefly about the process of creating one of your pieces?
Well, the first thing I do is come up with a vision in my head, sometimes I do thumbnail sketches and sometimes I don’t depending on how clear my vision is. From there, I decide on the costume/outfit, makeup and the overall look of the figure and then set up a photo shoot. I then take those photos and manipulate them in Photoshop until I can get the color and mood just right. I print out the finished Photoshop file on a large scale and then use that as reference. I then use transfer paper to transfer a quick line drawing to the board I will be painting on. Then all there is left to do is paint. I usually paint in two or three layers. The first is rather loose and transparent, but as I add more layers they become more refined and opaque.

Q: What makes a good day in the studio?
When I am trying to finish a painting I will set mental goals for myself each night, like, “I really need to get the face, neck and hair painted tonight.” If I achieve those mental goals then it’s a good night. I find that’s the only way to get a large amount of work done in a short amount of time. I had to learn to be very methodical and structured with my time.

Q: How do you spend your time when taking a break from painting?
Actually, now that I’ve finished all of the paintings for my show I don’t know what to do with myself. It’s been so long since I had a moment that wasn’t spent working. But I do have a lot of plans running through my head of all the things I can do with a little free time. I have some movies I want to see and some books I’d like to read, but I’d really like to spend some time fixing up our condo. Interior design/decoration is a hobby of mine and right now our condo feels like an unfinished design project.

Q: What artists inspire you?
I am inspired by everyone from current fashion photographers to modern artists to classic painters. Eugenio Recuenco, Tim Walker, James Jean, Mark Ryden, John William Waterhouse, and Ingres all inspire me.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your new pieces?
My new pieces stem from my love and great regard for animals and nature and my need to protect them. I imagined a place where humans and nature worked in tandem, a place of great mutual respect and understanding. I feel that in order to change the way things are right now for the better, we need to realize that the Earth and all the creatures that inhabit it deserve our utmost respect. They are ours to protect and cherish.

Q: How is the arts scene in Ohio?
The art scene in Ohio is varied. There are obviously creative people everywhere and there are many very talented artists that live in Ohio, but selling work here is a bit difficult. There are obviously galleries that do very well in Ohio, but I think overall, it’s not easy.

Q: Do you collect art yourself?
I really wish that I could say that I do collect art, but my budget is rather limited and although I see many pieces that I would love to have on a regular basis, it’s just not possible right now. Hopefully, some day I can call myself a collector.

Q: How long does each painting take?
Well, it’s a little hard to calculate how long each one takes. Obviously, the larger, more detailed ones take longer, but I would say that each one takes about 80-140 hours from start to finish.

Q: Which living artist would you like your work to be displayed alongside?
That’s a really interesting question that I hadn’t really thought about. The first person that comes to mind is Martin Wittfooth. I think he has a really great, classic technique of painting that he combines with some modern symbolism and subject matter. He’s also really good at creating a mood and playing with light and color. His paintings have a darkness to them that speaks to a story behind the visuals. I think our two styles might go well together.

Q: Three things that you hate?
1. long lines at the bathroom
2. how commercials are louder than television shows
3. when bad songs get stuck in your head for hours

Q: Three things that you love?
1. my boyfriend’s hugs
2. being in a warm bed on a rainy morning
3. having a furry friend nearby

Q: How long do you spend in the studio a week?
Lately it’s been about 65 hours a week in the studio painting, and 40 hours in front of a computer doing commercial art.

Q: What kind of people collect your work?
You know, I don’t always meet the people that buy my work, but going by the emails that I get from people, I would say that it’s pretty mixed. I’ve had everyone from members of the military to teachers to poets to business men to young aspiring artists contact me. I’m always really intrigued by the people that take interest in my work and it always make me see things in a new way. It’s interesting how a piece of art can mean so many different things to so many different people.

Q: I love the way you bring nature into your work, how important is nature to you as an artist?
Nature has been important to me ever since I was a child. I always spent as much time as I could outside and I still have a great love of animals and nature. I grew up in a rural area and we had a big back yard. We were surrounded by fields, farms, and streams and we always had pets. I had a hard time making friends when I was a kid because I was so shy, so my animals were always my best friends. I think that’s probably where my love of nature started. Today I live in a high rise building on the 11th floor, but I try to surround myself with as much nature as possible. All of our windows are lined with plants and we’re always thinking about what pet we should get next.

Q: What old masters do you study?
I admire so many classic paintings that it’s kind of hard to say. I am also terrible with names so whichever artist I happen to be currently admiring is the one that I remember. Right now I am semi-obsessed with John William Waterhouse. He’s definitely a master at what he did. His paintings are gorgeous and they always tell such an intriguing story. They’re so full of emotion.

Q: Tell us a something about you that we would not know about you?
Well, let me see, I will just list some random facts:
1. I collect religious icons and artifacts although I am not religious. My most recent piece was a vintage priest’s holy water bottle.
2. I have a cat named Pixel that thinks she is at least 20% smarter than me.
3. I once met Dolly Parton and she told me she liked my haircut.

Q: Ambition for the future?
My ambition is to grow as a person and an artist. I think the thing that makes great artists great is the fact that they keep evolving. I always want to build upon what I’ve done in the past to be better in the future.

Q: Why does art matter?
Art matters to me because it is a way of sharing and communicating with others. It’s a way of expressing things that can only be said through a visual language. Art can attract people, draw them in and then tell them a story all in a few seconds.

Q: Favorite Museum?
I would have to say that my favorite museum of all time is the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. My dad used to always take my sister and me to this museum when we were young, so I have very happy nostalgic memories of it. Plus, it’s just an amazing museum.

Q: Why do you focus on portraits?
I focus on portraits because I find the human face fascinating. There is so much detail and intricacy. Plus, no face is exactly the same. To me, it’s an amazing feat of nature that can relay so much power and emotion.

Q: Advice for younger or emerging artist?
Well, I think it’s important to know how much work it takes to be a professional artist. I have had to make plenty of sacrifices and I think it would be helpful to know that going in. It’s kinda like trying to become a professional musician. You have to make a ton of sacrifices and hit a bunch of brick walls before you’ll finally get to a place where you’re happy with your career.
Honestly, it’s not difficult to let go of paintings. I used to get really attached to everything I made and the thought of parting with it was hard to fathom. But now, I think that I make things with the intent of putting them out in the world and letting go of them. Since I know that from the beginning, it’s not hard to part with them. I pour everything I have into them, but then I’m ready to let put them out there and let someone else enjoy them.

Q: I am giving you a magic wand, what would you change in the world?
Wow, that’s a tough one. I could ask for world peace, or save the environment, or get rid of all fear and hatred in the world. Or I could just make things that taste really good not be so bad for you. I do love sugar.

For purchase info contact jch@coreyhelfordgallery.com