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Artist Statement
Through my art I am inspired to explore the depths of everyday moments that may otherwise go unrecorded. In the whirlwind of my hectic life it is my opportunity to be mindful. Sometimes, as I move through my day, I may be struck by a moment - it's beauty, or perhaps it's meaning. If I am lucky, I am able to snap a quick picture before the moment passes and later, much later, when the chores are done and the kids are asleep, I can revisit that moment as I put it down on canvas. Since becoming a parent I have been especially captivated by the inner workings of children as they discover and navigate this world and their existence. Their feelings, their motivations and their experiences are as much a mystery to me as they are at the forefront of my mind. Through my art, I seek to honor them.
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Biography |
Paulina Melechkina began her art education as a child in her native Russia. After immigrating to the United States, she won over a dozen NH Art Educator’s Scholastic Art Awards and the NH Congressional Art Award for her drawings with pencil, charcoal and ink. This was a time of great exploration, as she got to work as a set and backdrop painter for the local theater group, created signs for local businesses, and played with new media at her job at a ceramics studio. In 2004, Paulina received a BA in Studio Art (with a focus in Drawing) as well as a BA in Biology from Hartwick College, and embarked on a career as an evolutionary biologist. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Paulina’s artwork from this period was heavily influenced by scientific study and featured such themes as reproduction, botany and genetics. While working at Cornell University, Paulina joined the Green Valley Artists and participated in a variety of group shows, exhibiting at the State of the Art Gallery, the Unitarian Church, as well as numerous local venues. Paulina also had a solo show at the East Hill CTB in Ithaca, NY and participated in a juried exhibit at the Upstream People Gallery. During this time, Paulina was working primarily in acrylics, enjoying her favorite subject matter – portraiture – and challenging herself with landscapes. After experiencing the joy of reproduction first hand, Paulina’s work became almost compulsively focused on her children. In recent years, Paulina has completed a number of children’s portraits that were commissioned by her patrons, and has ventured back into the world of large-scale public artwork by painting murals. She continues to challenge herself with landscapes and hopes to some day 'take this show on the road' and become a travel artist.
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Recent Shows and News
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2023 - Tompkins Chamber of Commerce mural, Ithaca, NY
2022 - With the help of Ithaca Murals, brought a 1,135 sqft social justice themed mural to Belle Sherman Elementary in Ithaca, NY (artist: Terrance Vann) 2021 - "Ithaca Murals" Group Show, Hair Color Art, Pressbay Court, Ithaca, NY 2021 - Camelback Gallery, Portraits International Juried Competition, Bronze Award 2021 - "What does science mean to you?" mini-mural at the Sciencenter in Ithaca, NY 2020 - Auburn Soup Kitchen Fundraiser (Donors received custom art) 2017 - Coast of Maine mural at the Sciencenter in Ithaca, NY 2015 - "Monkey Run" climbing wall mural for Varna Community Center 2011 - GVA group exhibit, Ithaca Health Alliance 2010 - "Art in the Parlor" - GVA group exhibit, First Unitarian Society of Ithaca 2010 - Solo show, East Hill CTB, Ithaca, NY 2009 - 6th Annual Color Juried Art Exhibition, Upstream People Gallery 2008 - GVA group exhibit, CSMA Arts Marathon 2008 - GVA group exhibit, Owl Cafe, Ithaca, NY 2008 - Winner, Ithaca Festival Paint off, Acrylics category |
