Byrne, Melanie
Until recently, Melanie has spent the early years of her professional life as a full time artist, exhibiting in galleries all over Scotland. Over the last two, she has now made the transition from painting to the VFX/Animation world and currently works in Soho.
“I’m always very suspicious about personal statements, especially of the artists that actually believe them!” - H. Millar 1947.
We all find ourselves looking at people, especially if it’s someone we don’t know, we are endlessly checking out everyone else; how they are feeling, how beautiful they are, what they are wearing, what they are thinking. Curiosity is a human trait. For me, portraiture is about fulfilling that curiosity. I believe there is something honourable in portraiture and noble in people.
My paintings capture a moment in time, be it an actual life experience or a passive one and it centres on the portrait or full figure. I love looking at people, the way they move and especially the way light affects the appearance of people. I’m fascinated by the illusion of three dimensional realities on a flat surface, and how seemingly insignificant lighting and shadows can create this effect. It takes a large amount of concentration for me to truly see how things really appear and try to accurately re-create the effect in paint. But it’s worth the effort and when I paint intensively, I see the world differently to when I’m in-between paintings, which is very inspiring.
Within my work I try to express my experiences and memories. I paint expressions using the lines of the figures and faces or by observing the movement of the body and the outlines that are created. This allows me to sense and understand people’s emotions and moods on a much deeper level. When all is complete, the work becomes the property of the viewer and they in turn, may experience all these sentiments. Their own memories may be activated and then the artwork is reborn in their experience of it.
Although I am no longer a full time artist, my full time work allows me the freedom to spend as long as I feel necessary on a painting, rather than as long as I can afford, which is a luxury I appreciate.
Contact details
Miss Melanie Byrne
melanielbyrne@gmail.com
Primary Art Form
Film, Broadcast, Digital and New Media
Other Artform categories
3D Art
Animation
Digital Art
Film / Video / TV
Producer
