Melissa Moss is a self-taught artist who was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH. She has traveled all over the world, from Tokyo, Hong Kong and Europe to Nepal, and has now settled in Los Angeles. She has only been painting for about three years, but has done quite a bit in that time. Moss dedicates much of her inspiration to her experience working for a commercial illustration book company. Three years ago, she quit her job in publishing to study color psychology. During this time, she started mixing color and painting and realized that she’d found her calling.
Nathan on Moss
Melissa Moss’s paintings are colorful experiments, packed with otherworldly imagination. Her work takes you on a Jacques Cousteauean adventure into a Dr. Seuss-like world. Exploring never-before-seen life forms, plant life and landscapes, the viewer is transported to a land where there is no concrete. In Moss’ world, plants rule the land and skyscrapers are relics of the past (or of the future?). Her work is painted with precision on a grand level. All of her worlds rely on limited color palettes, which create strong, contrasting moods for the viewer. Oh, and did I mention her work is small? Melissa’s paintings are usually no wider than six inches. Within her miniature creation lies an entirely new world filled with adventure. My favorite part of her work is the fine attention to detail. You can stare at a piece forever and notice one tiny dot of color that gives the whole piece new meaning. Take a closer look my friends, you may find something there!!
Nathan Cartwright: So how is it being a Midwesterner making it in the Lala Land art scene?
Melissa Moss: Being new to any art scene—especially LA—I think I expected a lot of attitude and negativity, but I’ve met some extremely supportive people. I’m so grateful for that. If I hadn’t gotten that encouragement early on, I probably wouldn’t have pursued it.
Nathan Cartwright: How has the West Coast influenced your work?
Melissa Moss: I lived in New York for several years before moving to LA and I was miserable. My mood and wardrobe were black. The bright colors that I use are definitely West Coast influenced. I don’t think I could have imagined those colors in New York.
Nathan Cartwright: Is there a story behind your paintings? All of your work appears to come from the same fantastical place.
Melissa Moss: To me, each creature and plant life has a personality. I’m not sure if it’s obvious to anyone else, though. Rather than a story, I think of it more like the second before something happens. And I’ll admit that sometimes the outlook for these creatures seems grim. But I don’t paint them with that in mind. There’s always the possibility of escape.
Nathan Cartwright: Where do you see your work evolving in the future? Maybe a book?
Melissa Moss: Painting is still fairly new to me. I’m still learning new techniques and I’m pushing myself to go further. But I do have a lot of ideas for future projects. I’d love to do a book of paintings that illustrates the emotions of different colors. I’m still fascinated by color psychology. I’m also thinking about t-shirts and possibly textile design.
Nathan Cartwright: City or country, which is your ideal place to work?
Melissa Moss: I’ve never lived in the country, so I don’t really know. I do have this fantasy about moving to a house in the middle of nowhere, where I’m surrounded by trees and I can’t hear the freeway. My studio would be in a big red barn with lots of windows. I have it all thought out. But then I think about the movies and the music and the food that I would miss. So, I guess I’m a city girl.
Melissa’s show opens October 7th at 8pm and continues through to October 28th at The Hive Gallery and Studios. She will be exhibiting an entirely new body of work: a series of paintings and a wall of lower priced drawings and prints.
Visit Melissa at www.melissamossart.com.