Art + Illustration Gallery

“(dis)embodied”

“(dis)embodied”

oil pastels on colored paper

“Void Filling Pt. 2: Fleeting Respite”

“Void Filling Pt. 2: Fleeting Respite”

“Void Filling Pt. 1: Anxiety’s Tension”

“Void Filling Pt. 1: Anxiety’s Tension”

"Pre Schematic Shirt"

"Pre Schematic Shirt"

"Preschematic Shirt" is an experimental piece mirroring a childlike lack of inhibition and joy in the artistic process.

“...water and smoke. Grief is sometimes like.."

“...water and smoke. Grief is sometimes like.."

“Water and Smoke” is an artistic expression of experienced loss, devastation, and grief. It is also a personal reflection exploring the liminal space between endings and beginnings.

Dimensions: 30" (w) x 40" (h)

Materials: Acrylic Paint

Black Box

Black Box

Inspired by the Romantic poets' concept of negative capability, Mary Oliver's poem, "The Uses of Sorrow," and the reframing of "dark" emotions, "BlackBox" is the exploration of expressing, holding, and containing uncertainty and sorrow.

Beckoning the Spirit of Spring

Beckoning the Spirit of Spring

Self-Portrait

Self-Portrait

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Sunlight on Adirondack

Sunlight on Adirondack

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Self Portrait

Self Portrait

"Weight"

The weight of lack
grows heavy.
And emptiness
carves a hole—
a shallow grave—
in which lies
my lost and dying soul.

But hope in death
is new life.
Depths of strife and
sorrow grieved,
a pain believed,
heals the heart
to rise and start redeemed.

My Name is Melissa

My Name is Melissa

Claudia

Claudia

“Claudia” is the third in the "Café Lift" Series." Café Lift in San Jose, CA provides a welcoming environment for musicians, poets, and artists in the Bay Area. 

"Claudia" was painted in 40 minutes, capturing the bold and sweet spirit of local musician and artist, Claudia.

Maribel

Maribel

“Maribel” is the first in a series of quick sketch portraits painted at Café Lift in San Jose, CA. As a monthly open mic and open canvas event, Café Lift provides a welcoming environment for local artists. In the same spirit, I have started this series as an endeavor to foster relationships and document the individuals—both artists and spectators, regular attendees and first-time guests—that make up the Café Lift community. 

Painted in under 20 minutes, “Maribel” is a bold gesture painting that captures the likeness of Maribel, a member of the audience, in a short amount of time.

Carey

Carey

“Carey” is the second in a series of quick sketch portraits painted at Café Lift. For myself, the Café Lift series is a practice of being courageous on two levels. On a stylistic level, I forgo realism, make bold brush strokes, and use strong colors. On a personal level, I allow my process to be witnessed—and critiqued or complimented—by surrounding people, as well as experience the suspense of whether or not the finished portrait will be well-received by the subject.

A sitting of no more than 30 minutes, this portrait brightly depicts Carey, a regular performing musician at Café Lift.

Self-Portrait in Color

Self-Portrait in Color

“Self-Portrait in Continuous Line”

“Self-Portrait in Continuous Line”

Fluffy Cat

Fluffy Cat

Watercolor study.

40 Dawns & 40 Dusks

40 Dawns & 40 Dusks

Originating from a season of suffering, I began painting the colors of the sunrise and sunset for forty days beginning on Easter morning.

Working through anxiety and depression after a long season dealing with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), I clung to the idea of resurrections.

I was inspired by a thought from George MacDonald: “The world...is full of resurrections...Every night that folds us up in darkness is a death…[but] the day rises out of the night like a being that has burst its tomb and escaped into life.”

The complete series was published on instagram @melissalalvey

Reaching for the Wind

Reaching for the Wind

Abstracted film photography collage and ink drawing.

Quiet Grace - 1 of 3

Quiet Grace - 1 of 3

Watercolor and ink. Postcard set 1 of 3.

Sasimo Sato

Sasimo Sato

Watercolor portrait of homeless man in Japan.

Light in the Dark

Light in the Dark

Ink illustration for The Princess and the Goblin—a novel by George MacDonald.

Skull Study

Skull Study

Quiet Grace - 2 of 3

Quiet Grace - 2 of 3

Watercolor and ink. Postcard set 2 of 3.

Sunflowers in Vase

Sunflowers in Vase

Watercolors, 2017

Quiet Grace - 3 of 3

Quiet Grace - 3 of 3

Watercolor and ink. Postcard set 3 of 3.

i will wade out

i will wade out

Watercolor and calligraphy. Poem by e.e. cummings

Sun - concept art for children's book

Sun - concept art for children's book

Watercolor and ink.

Sun - concept art for children's book

Sun - concept art for children's book

Watercolor and ink.

Maïte Amongst the Stars

Maïte Amongst the Stars

Watercolor and ink.

Isadora Duncan

Isadora Duncan

Ink drawing.

Pandas for Poets

Pandas for Poets

Watercolor and ink.