Fabrics -
with their infinite possibilities of texture, color, and drape - have
always fascinated Melissa. From early years of sewing with her mother
and grandmother, through later episodes of weaving and quilting, and to
her current work with dyeing, she has been drawn to the integration of
gesture and hue.
A fairly recent convert to dyeing, Melissa has enjoyed the mentorship of Jane Dunnewold -
especially Jane's attitude towards experimentation and improvisation.
Melissa spends as much time as she can in her home dye studio - while
still keeping her "day job" as Principal Violist of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
A Northern California native (born and raised in Chico), Melissa is a graduate of the
Eastman School of Music, Artistic Director of
First Muse Chamber Music (an annual concert series at Rochester's First Unitarian Church),
former founding violist of the Chester String Quartet, and current founding violist of the Amenda Quartet. Her artwork has been shown at the Geisel Gallery (Rochester NY), the Mill Gallery (Honeoye Falls NY) and at Rochester Contemporary (Rochester NY - members' show) where her 6x6 works have sold out (early!) for several years.
(photo credit: paul arnold)
