Linda Mellen

Linda Mellen

Plum Beach, Oil

I am truly honored to be chosen as the Artist of the Month!

I started painting ten years ago but have always been interested in art. I began painting when I joined a weekly painting group with a small group of wonderful women lead by Diana Hampe. There is always Andrea Bocelli playing in the background for us which makes the class very enjoyable. I paint with water - based oil, watercolor and acrylic. I like to paint landscapes and scenes from my travels, flowers, birds and sometimes eyeballs! My current painting that I am working on, is a landscape from Tuscany, Italy.

Many years ago I took a few pottery and sculpture classes which I really enjoyed. I was awarded a scholarship to Mudflat Studio, which was then in Cambridge. I later took a few wheel-throwing courses at Henriette Dresden’s studio in Norwood. While raising a family, I worked in Early Childhood Education as a co-director and lead teacher at a local Preschool. Art and music were an important part of the program.

I am also a Singer-Songwriter and a member of The Dedham Choral Society. Music has always been an important part of my life. The connection between music and art is very interesting and important. The circle of fifths (music notes) and the color wheel have a close connection. Music also has complementary notes as colors do. Another example is color coded xylophone and keyboard keys make it easier to read music.

I joined the Dedham Art Association in 2021. The monthly artist demonstrations have been a pleasure and inspiration to watch. This fall, one of my paintings was accepted in the Fall Exhibit at the Walpole Library. This was my first time being in an exhibit, and it was an honor to have my painting included with all the other great art work.

Now I am enjoying painting with my two grandchildren. It is a lot of fun to show them different materials and mediums to use and to see them experiment and create art with shapes and colors. They are proud of their work and enjoy the process.

I am looking forward to learning, experimenting, and creating more in this wonderful world of Art!

Editors note: Thank you Linda for serving on the nominating committee this year!