by NVOS artist Karen Lynn Ingalls
NVOS artist Melisa Dooley creates original works of art in ceramic, for her sculptures and vases, and features a ceramic figure as the focal point of her mixed media wall-hung assemblages.
Melisa finds her greatest reward in giving form to an idea and finding pleasure in it. She enjoys learning, and says, "There is always a new wrinkle to experiment with" in the attempt to pursue mastery.
What are her inspirations? Melisa says her assemblage series are inspired by the lessons life teaches her! Her sculptures and vases are inspired by people and nature.
One of Melisa's noteworthy accomplishments was the building of her own Raku kiln, in which she fires her sculptures. And in her studio you would see tools and materials that might surprise you – drills, hammers, metal, wood, paint, bones, and beads, for instance.
You can meet Melisa, and see her artwork, at Studio #41 at Napa Valley College, Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Avenue, in St. Helena, California. You can also see her work at her website, at: www.melisadooleysculpture.com.
NVOS artist Karen Lynn Ingalls writes for this blog and our Facebook page (seen it yet?) and paints, paints, paints. You can see her artwork during Open Studios at Studio #48, with Sequoia Buck, west of Calistoga, and online at www.KarenLynnIngalls.com. She also teaches art classes and workshops, which you can find at www.NapaValleyArtWorkshops.com.
