Melissa Walton
Remember the new box of crayons on the first day of school? This is the joy I feel each time I open a new set of pastels. I must admit, it was love at first sight. Each color makes my eyes grow wide with excitement; the possibilities are endless and the colors are all there. The combinations and marks have the ability create passion and convey excitement and evoke many different moods. They are impulsive and make a statement. The painting evolves with each layer and morphs the subject into something that only the pastel medium can achieve.
I have spent the last decade perfecting my technique and honing my skills. While I experiment with many different subjects, my favorite remains the Virginia countryside and images of my children . Favorite days, happy memories, moments that take your breath away- this is what I hope to preserve through my art.
About the artist:
Melissa Walton is Richmond, Virginia-based artist specializing in the pastel medium. She focuses on dynamic compositions which convey the atmospheric perspective and have a strong pattern of light and clean composition.
Melissa has a B.S. in Business Management from Virginia Tech and is a member of the Pastel Society of America, Degas Pastel Society and IFDA. She regularly exhibits her work and has had 3 solo shows to date and numerous exhibits and awards. In addition to painting she flexes her creative muscle as an interior designer.
2024
Plein Air Unleashed, Deltaville Plein Air Festival, Deltaville, Virginia May 2024
2023
Solo Exhibit, Everleigh Vineyards, Mineral, Virginia Fall 2023
2021
Artist-in-Residence, The Steward School, Richmond, Virginia October 2021
2019
Artist-in-Residence at Palette Home in Richmond, VA May 2019 - May 2020
2018
Mid Atlantic Pastel Society Annual Members exhibit, 2nd Place Capital One Corporate Exhibit, group show
Solo Exhibit - Palette Home, Richmond, VA
Mid-Atlantic Pastel Society - Glenmore Yoga Center
2017
IAPS 30th International Juried Exhibit, Albuquerque, NM Maryland Pastel Society “Shades of Pastel” Rockville, MD Pastel Society of North Carolina “Pure Color” Online Exhibit BuyRVAArt monthly exhibit "Through the Window"
2016
Southeastern Pastel Society 17th International Juried Exhibit
Melissa can be contacted for commissions at collectedimpressions@outlook.c
Follow on Instagram @pastelsbymelissa www.pastelsbymelissa.com
