Artist Biography - Statement
Melinda Lightfoot – acrylic painting
For Summer Art Salon 2011, In a Dream, I am showing mostly acrylic paintings that came from dreams. I try to capture the feeling of the dream as well as some of the actual imagery. Many times I've dreamed whole paintings, sometimes with titles included, as was the case for Infiltrating Somalia (lower right image). When I dream a painting, I know I should manifest it on canvas!
I use color both symbolically and emotionally. Much of my work has definite images, but I'm also intrigued by abstract painting, where the exploration itself becomes the content of the work. I paint mostly with acrylics, but I've also used oils, watercolors, gouache, and—my first love—pastels. I also work in collage and mixed media, and have painted furniture and interior murals on commission.
I believe in the healing power of beauty and humor, and that the work of art is an imprint, a talisman of healing and inner development.
