Artist’s Statement
Through my work I try to explore the persistence of things in the world.
This fascinates me.
The sky, trees, bodies of water and humanity...........the strength of the human spirit.......all of these things become symbols of endurance and timelessness
I compare my free motion embroidery to a painter’s brush as I paint with the needle of my machine to create depth, shadow and light in my work. In creating artwork with thread I am essentially mixing together dots of colour which are lying in different directions, catching the light and making the viewer aware of the texture. To me, this is similar to Pointillism or Impressionism. The use of both paint and thread and at times wool and silk, is very exciting to me as it visually creates a two dimensional appearance within the work.
Within my art, glimpses of everyday merge with fragment of memory and of personal experiences. I do not concern myself with capturing naturalistic impressions but instead focus on capturing a mood or a feeling. That blurred, soft, dreamlike line between where reality ends and spirit begins intrigues me. Creating work that is fluid and ever changing just as in life......a connection of sorts to a moment in time that inevitably disappears in an instant.
The use of organic materials within my work keeps me rooted in the natural world. A world of lush wools and silks, and finely woven threads. The delicate balance of these alongside manmade acrylic paints satisfies my need to remain grounded and centered in my work as well as in my life. It somehow connects me to the space in which I live, the world in which I inhabit.
My art does not strive to make a statement whether it be political or societal but instead it is, and continues to be, my search for enlightenment and connection which may in turn be a statement in itself.
Biography
Melody Madden is a Mixed Media artist whose work has been shown in both Canada and the United States. Born and raised in Toronto she now makes her home in a small rural village on the shores of Lake Simcoe.
She originally began her career in the arts in textiles but after many years moved into mixed media to further explore her fascination with paint, colour and texture.....
Melody’s artwork is inspired by the beauty found in both nature and urban settings.
Solo, Group And Juried Shows (Selected & Upcoming)
Jessel Miller Gallery, Napa Valley, California U.S.A.
Gravenhurst Opera House, Gravenhurst, Ontario
Abbott’s, Craighurst, Ontario
Varney Gallery, Gravenhurst, Ontario
Arts on King, Artist Show, Toronto, Ontario
Sir Sam Steele Museum of Art & History, Orillia, Ontario
Eclipse Gallery, “Miniatures in Art” Huntsville, Ontario
Zephyr Gallery, Artist Show, Orillia, Ontario
Penetanguishene Centennial Museum, “Fiber”
Pygmalion & Galatea, Toronto, Ontario
Gallery 611, Group Show Toronto, Ontario
Heart of Muskoka Art Show, Port Carling, Ontario
“Images” Artist Studio Tour/MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie, Ontario
“Art In the Park”, Bracebridge, Ontario
Van Dop Gallery Artist Show
McIntyre Gallery Artist Show 2004
McIntyre 20th Anniversary Artist Show 2005
“Images” Artist Studio Tour/ MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie, Ontario
Convergence 2006, Grand Rapids, Michigan
East End Applied Art, “The Cutting Edge” Aurora, Colorado
“Images” Artist Studio Tour 2006
“Three Matters” Double Doors Studios and Gallery, Anten Mills, Ontario 2007
“Images” Artist Studio Tour 2007
International Women’s Day Art Show, Zephryr Gallery, Orillia , Ontario 2008
“A Common Thread” Carriage House Gallery, Midland, Ontario 2008
Purple Hills Artist Studio Tour, Creemore, Ontario 2008
“Senses”, Ridge West Gallery, Oro, Ontario 2009
“Images” Studio Tour 2009
Publications
North Simcoe News 2001
The Muskoka 2002
Lake Superior Magazine Artist Profile 2006
Chamber of Commerce Artist of The Year 2005
North Simcoe News 2007
Roger Cable Television: Woman to Woman 2007
Cityline Television 2009