About the Artist
Michele Pope Melina, AIS
Biography
"When I was a young girl I was inspired by memories from the Sunday drives that my parents would take with the kids. My mother's "keen eye" would capture the highlights of those days through her photography. She saw that I had great interest in her endeavors and encouraged me to enter the world of art. Since moving back to my roots in Winchester, Virginia in 2016 I have worked to reestablish those same emotions and renew my subject and painting style. During the Covid years, I particularly embarked on short road trips. Learning the atmosphere, new compositions, lighting effects and architecture. By way of car, camera, a wonderful husband and two Boston terriers we traversed the Virginia countryside to embrace the inspiration and memories. My recent work exemplifies that passion".
Award winning artist Michele Pope Melina grew up in the lush, beautiful landscape of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Born in 1951, Michele was inspired by nature and history at an early age. Michele's artistic influences include American landscape master George Inness, the Hudson River Painters, American Impressionism, and American Luminist Movement. Through vigorous self-training, Michele studied color theory and technique. Careful observations with experimentation led her to understand techniques of the Old Masters. Her paintings are exemplary of the style that evolved from this process, characterized by her use of Impressionistic colors to create a unique sense of drama and joy within her Traditional Representational oil paintings.
Whether it's an intimate still life setting in the studio or a newly charted landscape from a road trip, the importance of knowing a subject fully is paramount to Michele. Attention to accuracy helps account for the awards that she has won and for her Signature Member status with the American Impressionist Society. At the peak of her 50-year career, Michele considers herself “always a student”. She continues to strive toward beauty and passionately dedicate herself to excellence. Recently, Michele and Rob, her biggest fan and supportive husband of 50+ years, relocated to Winchester, VA, where she began her artistic journey.
"Emily's Sunflowers"
Michele Pope Melina
Winchester, VA
[email protected]
www.michelemelinafineart.com
Born 1951 Winchester, VA
Affiliations
American Impressionist Society, Signature Member
Group Exhibitions (*Solo Exhibitions)
2019
"Full Circle" solo show Lawrence Gallery, Westminster/Canterbury, Winchester, VA July-September 2019
Art Renewal Center Salon Finalist
Hampshire County Arts Council 2019 Spring Fine Arts Show
ShenArts Artscape 10, Banner Display in Old Town Winchester, Virginia
2018
Hudson Valley Art Association 85th International Juried Exhibition, Old Lyme CT
2016
Art Renewal Center Salon, Port Reading, NJ
2015
Art Renewal Center Salon, Port Reading, NJ
2014
Art Renewal Center Salon, Port Reading, NJ
2013
Art Renewal Center Salon, Port Reading, NJ
2012
American Society of Traditional Artists, Open Range Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
Artist Guild of Central Minnesota, Flow Art Space, Minneapolis, MN
2010
"Between The Shining Seas". Traveling exhibition sponsored by American Society of Marine Artists
Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Milwaukee, WS and Minnesota Maritime Art Museum, Winona, MN
"Blue Water, Still Water". Traveling exhibition sponsored by American Society of Marine Artists
Biggs Museum of Fine Art, NY, Washington Co. Museum of Fine Art, Hagerstown, MD, and the Naval
and Military Museum of Fine Art, Buffalo, NY
2009
Fourth Annual Member Show, International Guild of Realism, Weatherburn Gallery, Naples, FL
2008
* "The Painted Barn: An Artist's Tribute, Reedy Gallery-Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassan, MN
2007
Leading Masters of Reaslism, International Guild of Realism,Winstanley-Roark Gallery, Dennis, MA
"Masters of the Foxhounds". Traveling exhibition sponsored by American Academy of Equine Art touring 21
cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Tampa, Toronto, Los Angeles, Denver, Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston.
2006
* "The Color of Light", Reedy Gallery-Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassan, MN
"Barns and Farms" Barnsite Nat'l. Juried Exhibition, Kewaunee, WI
2005
Small Paintings Show, Wendt Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
Annual Members Juried Competition, American Impressionist Society, Taos, NM
2004
Annual Members Juried Competition, Lake Country Pastel Society, Burnsville, MN
38th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, CA
2003
Annual Members Juried Competition, American Impressionist Society, Vero Beach, FL
Annual Juried National Competition, Women Artists of the West, Dubois WY
2002
Annual Members Juried Competition, American Impressionist Society, Morro Bay, CA
2001
Annual Members Juried Competition, American Impressionist Society, Point Reyes, CA
2000
National Juried Competition, Oil Painters of America, Carmel, CA
1999
55th Sioux City Juried Exhibition, Sioux City Art Museum, Sioux City, IA
Annual Members Juried Competition and Show, Lake Country Pastel Society Exhibition, Edina, MN
1998
Echoes and Visions ll Juried Fine Art Show, Mission Viejo, CA
Byerly's Corporation Fine Art Sale and Exhibition, Bloomington, MN
Midwestern Regional Members Show, Oil Painters of America, Arlington Heights, IL
1997
Minnesota Artists Association Open Spring Juried Art Competition, Minneapolis, MN
Northern Lights Exhibition, Normandale Community College Fine Arts Gallery, White Bear Lake, MN
Collections
Regions Hospital, St. Paul, MN
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassan, MN
Patsy Cline Historical House, Winchester, VA
Mr. Charles Barnes, Mpls. MN
Mr. Melvin Miller, PA
Ms. F. Graham, MN
Awards and Honors
Peoples Choice Best of Show Award, Hampshire County 2019 Spring Fine Arts Show
Honorable Mention, Art Renewal Center, Landscape, Port Reading NJ 2013-2014
Finalist, Art Renewal Center, Landscape, Port Reading, NJ 2013-2014
Finalist, Art Renewal Center, Landscape, Port Reading, NJ 2012-2013
Finalist, American Society of Traditional Artists, Landscape Finalist, 2012
Canson Award, Palm Desert Museum, 2004
Merit, Lake Country Pastel Society, 2004 Merit
Honorable Mention, Lake Country Pastel Society, 1999
Excellence, Minnesota Artists Association, 1997
Merit and Honorable Mention, Northern Lights Exhibition, 1997
Best of Show, Stillwater Arts Festival, 1993
Bibliography (*Reviews)
Best of Worldwide Landscape Artists, Kennedy Publishing, Volumn 1, 2011
Real Life, American Art Collector, February, 2009
Mollee Francisco, Celebrating The Barn, Chaska Minnesota, September 25, 2008
* Southwest Newspapers, Minnesota, March 16-22, 2006
Michele Pope Melina, Dust In The Wind Newsletter, contributing editor, Lake Country Pastel Society, Oct. 1999-Jan.2005
* Mike Paulin, Nokota, Western Magazine, Paris, France, July 2003
Michele Pope Melina, Equine Visions Magazine, Nokota, Fall 2002
* Sonia Weiss, Drummer Newspaper, Buffalo, MN, Dec 1994
* Ed Dubois, Drummer Newspaper,Buffalo, MN, Oct. 1992
* Artist Review, Winchester Star Newspaper, Winchester, VA, August 1990
" My Chance With Thunderhawk"
