As an artist, I am influenced by the landscapes around me. I am in love with nature in its purest form. I love when I see moss growing on rocks, creating patterns and cedar trees which are allowed to grow twisting and turning into the most beautiful shapes. Besides being in a forest, one of my favourite places is to be by or on the water, I find it so calming. I love the different colours and the reflections of light which water creates. I think that this world, in its natural form, unhindered, is the most beautiful of all masterpieces. Animals are a big part of nature and are so important within it. They are part of this beauty and make it complete. I have always loved animals and find them so amazing. The natural instinct they have, their purity, and how their relationship with their environment makes a huge impact on this world.

I am not a political person but I value the beauty of nature and feel it is so important to protect its unhindered beauty. We need to respect it more and not meddle because all it creates is chaos. There is perfect harmony that exists between wildlife and their environments, yet we get in there and try to manipulate and control it for our purposes.

I try and depict a small glimpse of nature in its purest form through the use of negative space, line, colour and composition in oil paint. I find the use of negative space focuses on the beauty of the animal without distraction. My choice of colour and line work, or absence of, is very intentional. I try to create different moods within my painting because nature has different moods.  When looking at my artwork, I want people to feel good. I am not trying to shame anyone because of how we as humans effect it. I want people to see the beauty and majesty of our planet.

-Melissa Wakefield