Melissa Cooper

Melissa began her formal art training upon entering the New Hampshire Institute of Art in 2009 studying illustration. Two years into the program, she realized that she really belonged in the painting department where she could receive more technical training in oil painting, specifically of the figure, which she had come to love.  After graduating with highest honors and receiving her BFA, Melissa moved to Massachusetts where she still resides. More recently, she's taken workshops with Jordan Sokol, Jacob Collins and Edward Minoff. These experiences provided her with a glimpse into the atelier approach to painting the figure and portrait. Today, she continues to study and paint on her own, seeking to refine her approach in a more academic and traditional style.

* This statement has been provided directly by the artist in association to their 14^th International ARC Salon entries. This content has not been edited for typos or grammatical errors and has not been vetted for accuracy.