Who Are The People In Your Neighborhood? Melissa Courtney, Artist.
By Mary Boyle
Ozaukee is the home of artists of all kinds but, this past week, Ozaukee Living Local had a chance to catch up with fine art painter, Melissa Courtney, of Mequon, who was a recently featured artist in the FRANK & CO newsletter, a publication dedicated to bringing visual arts news throughout Wisconsin.
A graduate of MIAD with a degree in painting, Courtney says she's always known she was an artist. "I didn't choose it," she explained, "I just was. I was shy as a kid and I swear I drew my friends."
Courtney's paintings are rich in texture, and display conceptual imagery focused on emotion and connection, while her printmaking work is clearly inspired by her love of vintage textiles. Her work can be seen at the Var Gallery and Studios, the James May Gallery, and the Fredrick Layton Gallery at MIAD. Courtney will also be participating in the WMSE Art & Music Fundraiser, coming up on April 6th at the Historic Pritzlaff in downtown Milwaukee, as one of the live painters.
Although she calls Mequon home, Courtney's favorite place in Oz is the lakefront in Port Washington, where she can watch the boats on the water. Hear more from Courtney, herself, in this Frank & Co. Podcast, and be sure to support your local artists!