Melissa Kraft

Melissa Kraft’s journey into art began with her aunt, who delighted in showing her the joy of color—from museum walls to the produce aisle, where peppers and fruits became palettes in their own right. That early connection sparked Melissa’s enduring fascination with color, which remains the central thread of her creative practice.

Her path into painting started with an MA in art and art education, where she was shaped by dedicated instructors and the camaraderie of her cohort. That spirit of dialogue continues today: Melissa values the balance between solitary studio time, occasional collaborations, and the supportive exchange of ideas in her two monthly artist groups.

An enthusiastic experimenter, Melissa works in watercolor, acrylic, and oil, often layering or weaving materials, embracing both the planned and the unexpected. She is inspired by Paul Klee, Al Loving, and Sonia Delaunay for their bold use of color and playful shapes, and by poets like Mary Oliver and Ross Gay, whose words often accompany her into the studio.

Optimism, movement, and community run through her work. For Melissa, painting is a way of celebrating moments of joy, vitality, and connection—reminders of resilience and hope. Her current series of small oil paintings explores warm, swirling shapes in hues of orange, yellow, and red—colors she associates with both energy and renewal.

Her advice for artists just beginning: “Keep working and keep learning—don’t give up.”