July First Friday, which happens on July 4th this year, we Feature Artist of the Month, Melodye Stimpel. See her wonderful show opening Friday, July 4th from 5pm to 8pm and she also owns her own Gallery with her husband Thom just down the street from the Art Studio called “An Art Affair” where they have some great collections of Contemporary Masters, such as Peter Max, Salvador Dali and more! You can also see Melodye’s work there.
Everyone needs more color in their lives as color evokes emotion, memory, and connection. I strive to stimulate a sense of happiness and joy through bright color choices and her subject matter. She loves “thrilling” friends with imaginative works that they request, often having them lend a hand - or a few colorful fingers- to the creation of their own special art.
Inspiration
As a child, she was always creating. She was most inspired by her high school art teacher where she learned many techniques and styles of drawing and painting. He encouraged her to explore and combine art with her love of Biology and Nature. Her love of color and texture has developed into many styles and themes over the years.
Her husband Thom is from Laguna Beach, California – a small coastal town considered by many to be the art capital of the US. They lived in nearby San Clemente for many years and enjoyed frequenting the galleries and festivals held in Laguna throughout the year. They have had the good fortune to travel extensively, acquiring fine art at auctions and regional pieces from individual artists they meet in their travels to New England, Alaska, Hawaii, California, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, New Zealand and Australia. She also takes inspiration from many famous artists they have met during their travels, including Peter Max, Chris DeRubeis, Simon Bull, Michael Goddard, Slava Ilyayev, Daniel Wall, Allison Lefcourt, and many others.
Technique
She constantly researches new methods and products to incorporate into her art. Melodye’s focus shifts from time to time, as she meanders between or creates a combination of watercolor, pastels, oils, pallet work and even some pen & ink. Since 2020 most of her work has been in fluid art- fluid impressionism. Pouring acrylic paints with intention, then embellishing with a variety of tools (often her fingers) and materials such as gold and silver leaf. She often incorporate elements of the natural world into her art, including leaf prints, sea fans and shells and coquina. She uses a lot of metallic paints in her work and will often coat her pieces with resin which highlights the overall colors and shimmer.
Career Highlights
Melodye was a clinical research professional who ran global trials from my St Augustine home office, an office that doubled as her art studio! What better way to escape the stress of corporate responsibilities than to spin her chair around and unwind with a brush or pallet knife, or experiment with a new expressive technique recently acquired?
Last November, during the 5th Annual Beach Artwalk along A1A in St Augustine Beach, The Stimpels opened their new gallery, “An Art Affair”, which features their fine art collection noted above, alongside her own work. She also shows her art at Village Square in Palencia, was recently a guest artist at Lilu’s Art & Antiques in town, and of course, at The St Augustine Beach Art Studio & Gallery.
The Art Studio is located at 370 A1A Beach Blvd. in the St. John’s County Pier Park and is open 7 days a week from 12pm to 5pm. We are a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization that brings Art and Culture to the community and offers classes, special events, exhibitions and rental space. For more information please visit www.beachartstudio.org, Facebook or call 904-295-4428.
Also check out other Arts events in Saint Augustine, Fine Arts events in Saint Augustine, Workshops in Saint Augustine.
