My awesome friends recently threw me a surprise birthday party! I may have figured out the surprise part but the important part is they tried to be quiet while hiding and it was a blast whether I was totally surprised or not. The important part to this story in a design sense is that one of my friends introduced me to Melanie Cossey. Ok so I didn’t meet Melanie, but I was introduced to her art which apparently is hanging all over my friend’s work. She gave me a birthday card and at first I thought that’s an interesting photo of candied apples, not sure why they are on the card but nice.
Then I read the inside where my friend had written that these super realistic paintings were up at her work and she thought I needed to have a print! I am so amazed at the wet textures that Melanie is able to achieve. The high gloss, shiny, wet has got to be one of the hardest things to replicate in paint–yes I’ve tried and have never gotten this close. Another bonus has got to be the whimsical names of these paintings. Triple Threat. Great Grannies. Breaking Free. Olive Us. The titles make me like Melanie Cossey even more!
The next one appeals to me the most because while the olives are truly realistic, the painted textured background really sets the olives apart. Rather than looking like a photo my brain interprets it as a painting and while the red draws me in initially, my eyes are drawn to the realistic and contrasting olives.
I’m not usually a fan of realism because while I appreciate the talent it takes, that’s what cameras are for. That being said, along with the card I also received a frame to hang the print in for my new place and it is now proudly hanging in my kitchen above my sink. Now everytime I wash the dishes I see this treat and my mouth waters.
Check out more fabulous foodie works of art at www.melaniecossey.com.
