Artist Profile

Melanie Sartori

Artist Statement

I create dreamy art inspired by old things & my travels. Most scenes are referenced from places I’ve been to, while my imagination drives my floral works. i feature gold metal leaf in my work – either gilding the canvas and painting over in acrylics, or as an accent. When painting over the gold leaf, it lights up the paint colors when they are applied in a sheer layer, and silhouettes scenes – making them highly reflective and changing depending on the light, angle, time of day, they always emit light even in a fully dark room. I also frame my work in true vintage and antique frames that I search for on my travels. born blind in one eye and curious about experimenting with the visual world, I have been painting since age 5. my style is influenced by Byzantine art that I saw in Venice, a book that I found on a trail while hiking, the natural world, my hours in antique malls, my love of old cities, and a twist of zen brushwork that is also a nod to the decorative arts – all with a modern spin. https://www.melaniesartori.com

Bio / Description

I have been a full-time artist for two years. This year I have done juried art fairs in five different states. Last year I did mostly mural work but also fairs, and have done over 25 murals since my very first public mural two years ago. Most of my work is in Madison, WI, which I moved from one year ago to Champaign.