Dedicated to the education, creation and enjoyment of art.
Melanie Therrien
Murals, Commissions and Illustrations
Murals, Commissions and Illustrations
Melanie Therrien
Biography
Melanie’s art studio is not far from where her grandparents worked, in the once bustling mills of Lewiston, Maine. Her mom, used to walk right by the area where her studio now resides, which has lived many different lives such as a liquor store, a day care, and a medical billing of
Melanie Therrien
Biography
Melanie’s art studio is not far from where her grandparents worked, in the once bustling mills of Lewiston, Maine. Her mom, used to walk right by the area where her studio now resides, which has lived many different lives such as a liquor store, a day care, and a medical billing office. She is the only painter in her family, but her family, just like Lewiston, is full of people whom possess ingenuity, creativity, and great work ethic. After working for 15 years, most evenings, in the service industry, and completing murals, illustrations and commission work most days, she opened Wicked Illustrations Studio and Gallery in 2007 along with co founding Captive Elements Art House. She began offering art classes and eventually added art parties and a retail section for art supplies. The Illustration work, mural work and commissions continued, and since moving her studio to Canal St. in 2013, she found a passion for civic engagement and Public Art. She worked with the Union of Maine Visual Artists from 2015 to 2019, helping to create an LA Chapter. Through the chapter and her own studio she worked with community members and the city for art events, walks and fundraisers and was honored to receive Uplift’s 40 Under 40 Creative Genius Award through the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce in 2016. Her public art and installations she has been involved in can be seen on and around iconic and important places in her home town such as Simmone’s Hot Dogs, Webb’s Market, The Public Theatre, Mr. Drew’s Animal Rescue, Centreville Garage, the old 12 Hour Club, and Rainbow Bicycle. The art includes creative crosswalks, murals, painted fire hydrants and a series of selfie wings called #wickedwingslewiston. Some of the public art was a labor of love, as an individual or with a group of artists, some were paid for by grants, one was paid for by a private citizen. All of them though, brought together community, and helped beautify the city and create a sense of place. Melanie shares her passion for art in many ways in her hometown, and not only makes a living with it, but a difference.
Murals, Commissions and Illustrations
Murals, Commissions and Illustrations
Murals, Commissions and Illustrations
Melanie is the Illustrator for the Award winning children’s Books, The ElsBeth Adventures, by J Bean Palmer. She has also illustrated for publications and private citizens. She has been doing mural and commission work for over 20 years.
To inquire about mural, commission or illustration work please email Melanie at wickedillustrations@gmail.com.
Original Paintings
Original Paintings
Original Paintings
Melanie’s most recent series focuses on female painters. View her Artist Statement below as well as a slide show of her work.
I have always enjoyed the therapeutic process of creation and wanted to share the healing energy of art with others. After all that is thrown at us through the news, social media, and advertising, I wanted my art to
Melanie’s most recent series focuses on female painters. View her Artist Statement below as well as a slide show of her work.
I have always enjoyed the therapeutic process of creation and wanted to share the healing energy of art with others. After all that is thrown at us through the news, social media, and advertising, I wanted my art to be the pause, the deep breath, and the calm. But during COVID, when many of us were forced into a debilitating pause, art was once again my savior. What began as a few pieces honoring female painters, prior to 2020, turned into a continuing series of nearly a dozen works. They gave me the courage to finish my own self-portrait entitled, “See No Evil.” I have always been fascinated with the language of flowers and they have been dominate in my work. Following this theme, blooms became an integral part of this series and each piece includes the artist surrounded by flowers plucked directly from their own work. My self-portrait “See No Evil” is comprised of flowers that represent my family and friends. They cover my eyes and shield me from the horrors of the world. In this unprecedented year of 2020, it is our friends and family who are most important, and who despite everything close by or far away, in person or online, are our shield, our pause, our deep breath and our calm.
Public Art
Original Paintings
Original Paintings
Check out the community page to find out more about Melanie’s involvement in Public Art.