Joe Fay

Western Meadowlark

2025

Artist Comments
Inspired by a summer trip, Melissa has been looking forward to combining one of her favorite birds, the meadowlark, with purple asters. She enjoyed creating the contrast between the loosely rendered flowers and the more detailed bird. Adding to the piece are lovely orange accents and a little iridescent blue.

About the Artist
Melissa is passionate about color. She finds it to be the most significant form of inspiration to paint. Speaking on influences in her work, Melissa says, “Sometimes it’s an idea that I can’t get out of my head, or a color that I just MUST paint!” She particularly enjoys painting leaves, and the changing colors of Oregon foliage are visible in her work. In 2001, Melissa began teaching art classes, which has allowed her to view her own artwork in a new way. “The information that flows in a class is awesome,” she says. Melissa is constantly learning from the students in her classes, and is more conscious of what it means to be an artistic role model.

Words that describe this painting: meadowlark, purple asters, flowers, bird, nature, animals, flora, representational, mixed media artwork, purple, yellow

Meadowlark & Purples
Melissa Gannon...