ARTIST STATEMENT

I find myself continually influenced and awed by the masterworks of the past and impressed with the continuous line of influence that radiates through history. I want to help preserve those resources and reinterpret them for modern audiences, using eco-friendly, non-toxic materials when possible. From Mezzotints to Monotypes, the thoughtful, often-puzzle-solving challenge of the printmaking process holds a major appeal for me: weighing positive and negative forms, shifting from printing raised surfaces in relief prints (linocuts, woodblocks etc.) to printing intaglio’s incised lines in etchings and dry points, or manipulating ink viscosity for over or under printing monotypes, and generally thinking in reverse.  I often look to travel and nature for inspiration. The diverse cultures of the world help us see our own world with the wonder it deserves. I want to capture the beauty of ordinary things, so they can become extraordinary for the viewers.

BIO

Barbara Rizza Mellin is an award-winning painter, printmaker and poet. She recently relocated to Pennsylvania, where she creates in her home studio. Her artwork has been exhibited throughout the U.S and internationally. She holds a Master’s Degree in Art History from Harvard and has taught college-level courses in Art History, Writing,  Humanities, and Studio Arts. She also speaks on, writes about and conducts workshops in Printmaking, Drawing and Asian Brush Painting. She is a juried member of several professional associations, including the International Mezzotint Society, Oil Painters of America, American Color Print Society and Boston Printmakers (international).