Page 35 - Black Range Naturalist, Vol. 1, No. 2

triggered by one or more snapshots I may have taken months or even years before. In these studio paintings I draw upon all the walks I’ve ever done, all the trees and shadows and dappled specks of light and grasses and submerged rocks I’ve ever noticed, all the peace and joy and exhilaration I’ve felt while out in nature. When it works—when the technical elements of composition and light/dark values, of color harmony and perspective and all the rest are well-conceived and well-executed—the result is a painting I’m proud of.

I believe that landscape fine art, the best of it anyway, should transport us to
another realm and allow us to sense the quality of the air there, the temperature, the movement of wind, the silence. For me spending time with fine art is a sensual yet spiritual experience. Furthermore the act of actually creating such artwork is perhaps a form of prayer and gratitude for the natural world in which we live.

Someday I may be too old or infirm to be able to continue my walks outdoors. Nevertheless I will have my art collection to continue to transport me to other realms, both the paintings created by other artists as well as my own work.

Such is the nature of the art of nature.

Melody Sears is a painter of landscapes in pastel who depicts scenes of the natural world found primarily in New Mexico and Arizona, where she has spent most of her life.
Currently her artwork can be viewed at Vertu Fine Art Gallery in Socorro, NM; the Historic Percha Bank Museum and Gallery in Kingston, NM; the Tucson Desert Art Museum Four Corners Gallery in Tucson, AZ; and on her website at www.MelodySearsArt.com
“Surge” is the name of her work shown on the previous page. “Hillside Oak” is shown on the back cover.
This Just In

Melody Sears has just posted the following: “I'm quite pleased that I will be part of a show opening on October 1st called Drawing on Nature. This is a collaboration between The Drawing Studio and Tucson Botanical Gardens, and both have a cherished place in my heart....(AND) My annual calendar is going to the printer at the end of September! This year's will feature desert imagery from not only New Mexico, but also from Arizona, and I think it should appeal to anyone who loves the Southwest, as I do. Price is $20, which includes tax and mailing costs. Please e-mail me at melodysearsart@gmail.com to order yours.”
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