Resume

Melanie West

 

While I bring a background of commercial and architectural photography to my fine art, I attempt in my photo illustrations to stretch the meaning of “photography.”  My hope is to blur the line as much as possible between the photograph, traditional art and digital art. I begin with a scanned manipulated Polaroid, transparency, or digital photograph.  I use several programs, including PhotoShop CS and Corel Painter 8, to draw, manipulate and distort the image, using a Wacom Tablet and pen.  The actual process in and of itself is a blurring of this line between traditional and new media. 

 

Whether I am creating landscapes, portraits, still life or architecture, I am always trying to bring out the “personality” or energy of the subject.  Just as the essence of a dream remains with you when you awake, so I hope my images leave the viewer with an strong sense of the essence of the subject.

Photographic background:

 

Photographers’ Assistant                                              Fairfield, Connecticut                              1982 - 84

Commercial Photographer                                           Connecticut & California                        1984 - 94

Exhibitions:

AIA Annual Architectural Photography Show          San Francisco, California                               1990

Sane Freeze Art Show/Auction                                     St. Helena, California                                       1991

Sane Freeze Art Show/Auction                                     St. Helena, California                                       1992

The Diner (one woman show)                                       St. Helena, California                                       1993

Art Fellows Gallery (several member shows)            Belfast, Maine                                              1995 – 7

Belfast Framers Gallery (one woman show)              Belfast, Maine                                      August, 2004

Los Angeles Center for Digital Art                              LA, California                                September, 2004

Belfast Free Library (one woman show)                    Belfast, Maine                                November, 2004

Center for Maine Contemporary Art                           Rockport, Maine          January – February, 2005

Maine State House                                                          August, Maine                         Winter/Spring, 2005

Represented by:

Camden Falls Gallery (www.camdenfallsgallery.com)
Art-Exchange (www.art-exchange.com)
Bayview Press (www.bayviewpress.com)
Juried On Line Arts Festival (www.jolaf.com)

Art Source, LA, Santa Monica, California (www.artsourcela.com)

Creators Outlet (www.creatorsoutlet.com)

Teaching Experience:

Toddy Pond School                                                        Digital Art Instructor                                  2002 - 3
Belfast, Maine                                                                  after school program

Awards:

AIA Annual Architectural Photography Show          San Francisco, California                               1990

Publications:

 

Computer Arts Magazine, Architecture Magazine, Architectural Record. Connecticut Magazine, Multi-Housing News


92 Hardwood Lane, Freedom, ME 04941   207-382-3138

mwest@gwi.net     www.MelanieWestStudio.com