Melissa Gilbertsen

MELISSA M. GILBERTSEN – ARTIST

Self-taught Painter – Specializing in Oils & Acrylics
Experienced Printmaker – Linoleum & Woodblock
Scenic Paint Master – Lead Set Designer, Community Theater
Graphic Artist – Residential & Commercial Sign, Mural & Commission Work
Art Educator – Primary, Elementary & Adult Art Education Classes spanning a variety of mediums
Community Art Activist & Events Organizer – Arts & Eats Festivals 2008-2009, Children’s Recycled Art, Bi-Annual Children’s Art Show, St. Helens, OR 2007-2009

My work is mostly about whimsy, humor, and satire conveyed through a variety of media with a graphic style or quality to it. My favorite color, contrary to most artists, is black, though my personality could easily be described as sunny and warm. Using black liberally in my work makes every other delicious color pop and sizzle. It’s the contrast between the two that I love most. Also, I swear I was a crow in another life because I totally love the shiny! I stay with painting in oils and acrylics mainly, but I am working on expanding my work to include wood and block printing due to the wicked graphic quality I can achieve with this medium.

Overall, I’m always open to exploring different media & new ways of executing my thoughts, as long as it’s cheap – I’m easy!

Another aspect I have constantly been drawn to is art education and how important I feel it is to help train and encourage future artists. As a practicing artist I have a moral responsiblity to pass the torch to the next generation so that art is widely practiced by lots and lots of people. Art education is so vital to making sure our world remains a place of visual diversity, showcasing different ways to look at our world, and involving real, everyday people. It is also the only way we will ever create a generation capable of solving the myriad of social, political, and environmental problems our world faces. Critical thinkers are trained with ART.