Artist of the week: Melanie Serroels

Melanie Serroels
“I have always had a passion for art… having lived in the Pacific Northwest my whole life, I appreciate the wonderful light and beauty of this area.  Painting keeps me relentlessly aware of the details of our ambiance and challenged by its splendor. Transparent Watercolor is my medium of choice. Over the years, I have worked with soft pastels, colored pencils, oils, acrylics, and pen and ink, but by far watercolors have fit the challenge and my lifestyle the best. I explored many mediums throughout my school career, it wasn’t until my senior year of high school, that I experienced high quality watercolors.  During the 70’s, I took workshops from Charles Mulvey at a local gallery near my home, in Lake Oswego, Oregon.  I have continued to take classes from other artists, but none have influenced me more than Charles did.  My surroundings constantly compel me to paint, paint, paint! Since November 2004, we have had the honor of living on Camano Island.  Our home faces the water of Port Susan Bay, and the Cascade Mountains to the North and East.  Dawn’s morning light and sunrise, over the water, makes everyday’s unfolding a treasure.  At the end of the day our view is awash with a reflected light, sunsets on the snowfields of Mount Baker, a breath taking cloud  formation, or the beauty of a rain storm sky. What a treat to be able to see these elements daily and work them into my artwork without having to go anywhere! My goal is to produce art that makes not only myself, but other people happy.”