Melissa Fraser
I am a Melbourne born artist, but also have a little country girl in me having lived in Ballarat and Wagga Wagga. Growing up I always had an elevated interest in art, but it wasn’t until I joined a local art class in my early 20’s that my love for painting was sealed. I then majored in art at university while studying to be a teacher, and continued to develop my own personal painting style.
Education
Bachelor of Education with Major in Art
Student of Artist and Educator Ron Reynolds
If I had Words
Highly Commended Award
George Hicks Foundation Contemporary Exhibition VAS 2024
Ochre
My Art
I work with oil on canvas using nature as my inspiration. My work is a dance between passion and exploration. I’ve been influenced by many modern painters, currently one of my favourites is Bonnard. My style could be described as mostly contemporary, figurative, but it is always developing as I explore new ideas.
I focus on transforming, exaggerating and/or distorting the image to reconstruct it until it’s the painting I want it to be. This involves reducing the image to simple elements, exaggerating perspectives, and exploring the design elements of shape, line, pattern, texture and colour. I don’t do much pre planning, I go with the flow with the brush in my hand. My aim is that the painting will evoke a response, conveying a feeling, an atmosphere, an expression of the subject matter rather that a copy of it.
Silence
Outside Studio
My Studio
My studio is a converted horse stable with a grey slate roof, complete with weather vane. It’s a cosy and rustic little space at the back of our property with weathered wooden boards and recycled red brick flooring. An open stable door provides a window view to the magnificent 120 year old oak.
It’s a great space for reflection and getting lost in my work. There’s a calmness, a quietness there that I just love.
Inside Studio
Painting with my faithful companion Ricotta
What Keeps me Busy
I’ve been a VAS member since 2017, and enjoy participating in the Select exhibitions throughout the year. I’ve held solo exhibitions and been in group exhibitions, and won various awards. My work is held in private and public collections. Recently I was part of the Banyule Open Studios Program. It was a lot of work, but I had plenty of time to prepare during covid!
Now, I paint most days, it’s an important part of my life.
Setting up my Banyule Open Studio Exhibition
Mixed Bunch
Highly Commended Award
VAS Spring Exhibition 2024
VAS Magazine Cover featuring painting Mixed Bunch
Works by Melissa Fraser
Acknowledgment of traditional owners.
We would like to pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land on which our building stands, their leaders, past, present and emerging.