“(dis)embodied”
oil pastels on colored paper
oil pastels on colored paper
"Preschematic Shirt" is an experimental piece mirroring a childlike lack of inhibition and joy in the artistic process.
“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
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.
Album artwork for "Meanwhile"
"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.
“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” 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” 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.
Watercolor study.
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
Abstracted film photography collage and ink drawing.
Ink illustration for At The Back of the North Wind—a novel by George MacDonald.
See Más allá del viento del norte project.
Ink illustration for At The Back of the North Wind—a novel by George MacDonald.
See Más allá del viento del norte project.
Watercolor and ink. Postcard set 1 of 3.
Watercolor portrait of homeless man in Japan.
Ink illustration for The Princess and the Goblin—a novel by George MacDonald.
Watercolor and ink. Postcard set 2 of 3.
Watercolors, 2017
Watercolor and ink. Postcard set 3 of 3.
Watercolor and calligraphy. Poem by e.e. cummings
Watercolor and ink.
Watercolor and ink.
Watercolor and ink.
Ink drawing.
Watercolor and ink.