About Melissa Libutti

 As a child I loved digging through the earth to find earthworms. I loved the feeling of sand all over me at the beach and of course making mud pies. Today I love diving my hands into a puddle of paint or plaster, adding sand smearing it across a canvas inviting the highest spiritual part of me to play with the colors adding them like a chef would add spices to a new recipe. I know I had a good day in the studio when I am covered in plaster and paint. Like a child, I see what others can’t see and am fascinated with adding interesting elements to the mix such as, metal, leather, trinkets, nails, sand, shells, crystals, egg shells, even peanut shells. This is the fun part.

Then the battle in my head begins.

Perfection vs Acceptance, Dark vs Light, Conformity vs Freedom, Reality vs Imagination ,Strength vs Pain

These conflicts are ever present in my mind and underlying in my work. These contradictions are evident beginning with my Tribal Series, which I believe evolved from a past life calling to be expressed. The conflict continues today. While my recent series , RISE  uses meticulous resin layers and technical applications, my on going Dark abstract series allows myself to entertain the questions, thoughts and visions about life, death and other planes of existence. 

Using sculpture, texture and layers of paint and resin with unusual elements added I entice the viewer of my work to look within, what do you see and feel? Coaxing them to let their imagination roam and see beyond this reality. 

My art is spirit combined with a craving for color, texture, and depth and an outlet for the emotional challenges of life and questions of what lies beyond.

Going beyond the ordinary to express my soul I strive to - "Shred the Box" 

                                         -Melissa Libutti