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North Van Arts has over 500 members, including many who are active volunteers at our events, galleries, openings and community projects.
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Melanie Ellery

Painting

Melanie can be found painting vibrant, expressive, contemporary art in her Port Moody, BC studio. Her work is colourful and dynamic; she paints intuitively and spontaneously, expressing life, energy and joy.
A founding member of the artist collective, ‘13 feet off the ground’’, Melanie has participated in murals and artist residencies in Sicily, New Mexico and San José del Cabo, Mexico.

 


Artist Statement
My work is a lifelong journey of experimentation, discovery, and joy. I paint intuitively and spontaneously, seeking that state of creative flow where expression becomes instinctual.

Colour, energy, and emotion are at the heart of my practice. I’m drawn to bold, uplifting palettes that evoke a sense of joy and vitality. Living by the ocean and spending time in the mountains and forests of British Columbia, I find endless inspiration in nature—not in its literal form, but in its feeling. I aim to translate that sensory experience into abstract language: the flow of ocean tides, the stirring of trees and the patterns of nature.
Each piece begins freely, layered with instinctive marks and colour. Then, through a more mindful and intentional process, I guide it toward resolution. My hope is that my paintings offer a sense of movement, connection and positivity—an invitation to pause and feel something beyond words.