Hello you mesmerizing human! I’m so happy that you’re here :) The new year, I feel, brings about an opportunity of reflection on the past, and looking forward to the future.

A lot of people say “new year, new me”…..well, I’m the same me, surprise surprise!! :D Are there some habits that I’m working on to take care of myself better…..absolutely! And I’ve got goals written out for the upcoming year and quarters; but overall, still me. And I’m happy about that!

I thought it’d be fun to take a walk down memory lane and reflect on the pieces that found their forever home this past year! 2023 was a year that I focused on digging deep into the story of each piece, and helping you find your story through art. My goal is to continue this into 2024 :)

So! ready your warm beverage and a snacky snack! (coffee and biscuit with honey for me, the breakfast of champions, hehe :) ) And let’s dive in to the pieces that left the studio into spaces of beautiful people in 2023.

“Hope For The Hopeless”

To kick off our homage, the first on our starting lineup is “Hope For the Hopeless”. This piece was an oil painting on stretched canvas, painted in 2022, and found it’s forever home in early 2023. I love and appreciate the contrast that is communicated here. Looking up, the fallen angel is helping to depict a message of hope. Communicating that no matter what happens, we can look up to the creator for hope, love and guidance. Given that this angel does not have the traditional appearance, there’s also a darker feel. And let me point out, dark does not equal bad. Dark can equal different, alternative, odd…….Also, I think we all learned from inside out that a person needs all their emotions equally to grow and thrive.

In this case, I think our angel is just different. Maybe the black sheep of the family, doesn’t quite “fit in”, and that’s cool too. I think we all can use that reminder and encouragement.

“Calm of the Crow”

On our memoir, journey through memory lane if you will, we come to “Calm of The Crow”. This piece is an original oil painting on stretched, oval canvas and was completed in early 2023. It found it’s forever home through a show during the summer of 2023. I know that in modern society, crows can have a negative connotation or reputation; an omen of bad things to come, if you will. Personally, I find them to be beautiful, intelligent, and loyal creatures. Crows mate for life, and can become attached or be drawn to humans that are kind to them. I think in general, these majestic beings are misunderstood.

We personally have a few crows that come into our yard from time to time, and I make sure to leave out a crow-friendly snack for them. And also, I enjoy the works of Edgar Allan Poe, and I feel like it’s impossible to not have some sort of association between his work and crows.

There’s definitely plans for a “Crow”themed collection further down the road.

“Eye Have Fallen”

“Eye Have Fallen”, an original acrylic painting on stretched canvas, completed in 2021. I remember the process of the piece rather vividly. The emotions and inspiration behind this green beauty was that of a perceived lost love. I channeled some teenage angst for this one I believe! And that’s what’s so great about having a creative outlet….sometimes, memories or thoughts creep up in our busy brains from WAY back when. The awesome thing is, we can have an opportunity to work through that at any time.

Healing doesn’t have an expiration date. It’s reflecting on pieces like this one that makes me wish that I could go back in time 15 years ago, to give past Melissa the love and encouragement that she needed. Do you ever have a similar thought or feeling? A feeling of being in the present, and wanting to go back in time to give you the words that you needed to hear?

I’m so happy that this piece found a home with such a wonderful person (side note, I know I say this about every piece, but for those who have an original from me, it’s always memorable, and they’ve always happened to be extraordinary people. )

I LOVE that :)

“Haunted”

This piece was integral to the start of finding an expressive style that fit the dark, surreal story that I wanted for all of you to see. This piece is an original acrylic painting on stretched canvas, that was completed in early 2022. It’s easy to see where this piece obtains it’s name….those eyes definitely have a haunting quality to them! Wouldn’t want to look in the mirror to have that looking back at you, right ?! However, I see more to it then that, and I think that you do as well.

In the metaphorical sense, we can be “haunted” by this of our past….maybe it’s a memory that you’re having trouble processing, or maybe it’s a regret. It could also be a haunting feeling of the future, unsure of what’s to come.

Here’s the thing though; pushing through and processing the past, or moving forward even with a sense of fear, that’s brave. Doing the work even when you’re scared, takes great courage and a lot of strength. Always remember that you’re stronger that you know.

“I Survive”

“I Survive”is an original oil painting on stretched canvas, completed in 2023. I feel that this piece conveys growth, strength, and being a survivor. This piece can tell a story of showing that you can go through the worst of the worst, something that should’ve broke you, but it didn’t. Instead, you survived, and are ready to proceed forward, even if it’s one day at a time. It shows that you can look up for hope and strength. Also, you are so much stronger than you know. You’re a survivor! This piece was scooped by a dear friend of mine the summer of 2023,and it went to exactly who it was meant for. That’s the most amazing thing; meeting or connecting with someone (via internet or in person, doesn’t matter), and when the connection is made with a piece, you know that it was made for them. It’s a beautiful thing :)

“Never Forgotten”

This brings us to our final original beauty that found a forever home this year, “Never Forgotten”. This crow beauty is an original oil painting on a wood panel, with a custom wood frame. This collection was the first one that I dived in with making all the frames. I was stuck in procrasti-learning ( a term I coined from Miriam Schulman, an artist and coach that I admire dearly),where I kept saying I needed to perfect the technique. They turned out beautifully; they’re stable and provide protection to the piece, as well as a beautiful home.

The story that inspired this piece was that someone may no longer be physically present in your life, but their memory and the impact that they had on you is “Never Forgotten.”

This piece found a forever home at Oddtoberfest in Columbus,WI! Again, to another beautiful friend of mine that I had the joy of meeting in person! One of my favorite memories of the year, for sure!

Grateful

My friend, this brings me to the end of our memoir tour! The end of the pieces that have left the studio in 2023.

What an incredible year it’s been, and I owe it all to you!

There would be no Mezmerizing Studios without you!

Each piece has a story, and YOU get to write the narrative. The same as life :)

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Have an amazing day! And remember, you’re stronger then you know and the world needs you. Much Love,

Melissa

Goodbye 2023! A memoir and homage to the pieces that left the studio and graced their forever homes in 2023!