Melissa Franklin
“Visually, it is light, color and design that draw me to a subject. Conceptually, Time, Energy and Spirit hold my curiosity.
There is a fine balance between technique and idea. When they work harmoniously, great works are achieved. With that in mind, as a young artist I am always challenging myself.
I find my inspiration in the relationships with people and places around me. Travel plays an important role in my work. With my husband, artist, Ramiro, we often travel between Europe, Venezuela and USA. I remain fascinated in front of these different cultures and environments. Although the scenery changes I always find a common thread of inspiration.
I am constantly looking to capture the spirit of my subject, its essence. Sometimes purposely overlooking its physical reality. Not recording the physical shape of a tree but instead trying to interpret the feeling of the wind blowing through its leaves and stirring its branches. In my figurative work I aim to capture the personality and the feelings of the model not just a likeness. Working always from life, my paintings then become a biography of my subject.
I am often influenced by my life long relationship with theatre and dance. I am fascinated by the idea of appearance and reality. As in theater, a performer presents themselves in many guises, and yet, the real nature of the artist will always be apparent. In painting, we have a medium that allows us to express our greatest visions and however far from our reality, they will always be a reflection of ourselves.
I am naturally drawn to aspects of life that transcend time, Moments that could have been yesterday, today or perhaps tomorrow. By observing Nature, our environment and how we respond to it, we can understand ourselves better and find a greater meaning in our lives. I would like to offer my audience a window into a world that is around us but we don’t always take the time to notice. Sometimes we need to see things from a distance, abstract from our daily life, to appreciate their value.”
Melissa Franklin
THE ARTIST
Melissa Franklin Sanchez was born in 1984, in Warwickshire, England and currently lives in Florence, Italy.
In 2002 she graduated from her humanistic studies: Art, Music, English Literature, Performing Arts and Ballet.
In 2003 she completed an intensive art foundation course at the Slade School of Art, London. She then enrolled at the Florence Academy of art, a school dedicated to the study of realistic and figurative art. She graduated with the three-year diploma in painting and was offered a 4th year of specialization.
Her work is currently represented in both Europe and the USA, by Scriba, InPARADISO Gallery (Venice, Italy), Grenning Gallery (Sag Harbor, NY) and Jack Meier Gallery (Houston, Texas). She is also an artist member of the Concilio Europeo dell’Arte / European Council of Art.
Melissa’s love of Italy, its culture, beauty and tradition will continue to be an inspiration for her life and her work.