Profile
Melanie Biehle
Born: 1969
Hometown: Downsville, Louisiana
Based in: Everett, Washington
Through her artwork, Melanie Biehle explores the inner workings of the mind, mysteries of the universe, and the often opposing energy of the city and the sea.
The artist studied psychology in college and began her creative career first as a writer. After working in Los Angeles as a screenwriter and film marketer, Melanie returned to Seattle, started a family, and fell in love with painting. She studied abstract painting and composition at Gage Academy of Art and further honed her eye through freelance graphic design and photography assignments.
Today she creates large and small scale abstract paintings for private collectors, art consultants, and interior designers. Each piece is painted with the intention to calm or energize a space through the use of shape, color, and form.
Along with creating art for residential and commercial spaces around the world, the artist often partners with companies who want to elevate their events, products, and marketing by commissioning unique original artwork. Melanie’s work has been commissioned, purchased, and licensed for photography backgrounds, digital art installations, apparel, and stationery.
Melanie was born in rural Louisiana but feels most at home on the West Coast. She has split her time between Seattle and Los Angeles since 1999. Now she lives and paints by a lake near Seattle with her husband, son, dog, and cat.
About Melanie Biehle
What inspires you?
The inner workings of the mind, the mysteries of the universe, and the often opposing energy of the city and the sea. I often incorporate color palettes, shapes, and patterns inspired by urban architecture, city skylines, and coastal shorelines into my paintings.
Describe your creative process.
When I work on a new painting collection, I like to combine writing and psychology and go deep. First I explore the emotional nature of ideas, words, places, and spaces in my journal. After a theme arises and I spend some time living with it, I translate that exploration into color and form. Sometimes I just jump in and start painting right away. Other times I start the painting process by first collecting images for a visual mood board to represent my theme or collection.
What are 3 words that best describe your work?
intuitive, emotional, a transfer of energy
Who are some artists that have influenced your work?
Richard Diebenkorn. I love the California color palettes in his Ocean Park series and his loose abstract style from his earlier paintings in New Mexico and Berkeley. I also love the mysticism and geometry of Hilma af Klint, as well as Lee Krasner's bold abstract work.
What is the most important tool when creating your work?
My intuition. If I get caught up in thinking or try to force something to work, the art suffers.