About
Melinda Lane
Since childhood art and my environment have been important facets of my life. Quite early on I was introduced to the Old Master painters through a collection of Time Life art books in my parents bookshelves. The colors, textures, and light fascinated me, but my Cape Cod and Adirondacks childhood also imprinted itself on me. The colors and spaces in gardens, forests, and homes of family and friends introduced me to the art of looking and seeing something unique. After studying art and literature in college, I worked in the fashion industry and as a scenic artist, painting sets for Broadway, film, and television. Upon returning to Massachusetts, raising my daughter, renovating an old home and gardening became my focus for several years. The house and garden have become a starting point for my still life and interior paintings and pastels. Using material culture in the form of both ordinary and special objects that surround us, I hope to portray what I see as the essence of daily life.
As a representational painter, I deal in extended moments. Small, prosaic moments, such as a fleeting glimpse, can capture my attention. I focus on light, space, and ordinary objects to give the viewer entry into a world made rich through looking. Using a combination of manmade and natural objects, I work to understand and convey my perception of a small corner of the world that I call home.
Artist's Statement
Rooted in the architectural and decorative arts traditions of New England, my paintings delve into the intimate conversations between interior spaces and the objects they hold. I orchestrate a visual dialogue between nature and artifice, uncovering subtle narratives through careful observation.
My process begins with a thoughtful curation of objects, surfaces, and perspectives. Commonplace items intertwine with found treasures and botanical elements. This approach serves as the initial spark for each painting. Through the deliberate application of color, design, and form, I construct immersive spaces grounded in sustained observations revealing intricate relationships between objects. I seek to uncover the hidden shapes and ideas that emerge through prolonged study. Layers of perception, observation, and memory create a compelling visual experience.
R
CV
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025 "Calm" Colo Colo Gallery, New Bedford, MA
2024 "In from the Garden" Conant Brothers Studio, Kingston, MA
2023 "Stems" Colo Colo Gallery, New Bedford, MA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025 Martinez Gallery "What Is the Place?" online exhibition
2024 True Grit Gallery "Small Wonders" Middleboro, MA
2022 Open Studio on the South Coast Artists Open Studio Tour Westport, MA
2021 Open Studio on South Coast Artists Open Studio Tour Westport, MA
2018 Arts League of Lowell "Variations in Scale" Lowell, MA
2017 Attleboro Arts Museum "Flower Show"Attleboro, MA
2017 Cape Cod Art Association "Artist's Vision" Barnstable, MA
Education
MFA Vermont College, Montpelier, VT 2003
BA Wells College, Aurora, NY 1988