About Me: (The Artist)

I have been a Visual Artist almost all of my life. I was told that I sang before I talked, and drew before I walked. I was a shy, quiet child. I would spend many hours alone, drawing. Art has resided in my Soul, for as long as I can remember. I am a Native Californian, and I’ve always loved the beach. The beach taught me so much about my main loves in life; Colors and Sounds. They translate, for me, into Art and Music. I had a Near Death Experience in 2002. I was shown many wonderful things during that journey, but one very special gift I received was instantly becoming infused with the knowledge that sound has color and color makes musical sounds! (This is a real, scientifically studied subject, and the word for it is “Synesthesia”.)

Although this beautiful phenomenon now happens rarely for me, it still occurs sometimes while I am creating Art, and I get a wonderful “out of body” feeling when it does). I am often inspired from memories of that profound Near-Death Experience, and I also sometimes paint from dreams. Everything I create has deep meaning to me.

The writings of the very prolific Pete Townshend, as well as the voice of Roger Daltrey (both of the band, The Who) have been a huge influence upon me and my life. Before Visual Art took over the forefront of my life, I was a Lead Singer in many bands in Orange County. Music was once my first love, although in more recent years, Art has taken over. Unfortunately, I have lived in very severe Chronic Pain (and illness) from around age 40. The pain makes it pretty impossible for me to perform on stage anymore. The depression and anxiety that comes along with these issues is another reason I paint. I have found it to be medicine for the Soul.

I feel Blessed to be able to CREATE my paintings, collages, sketches, sculptures, and other works of Art, which are all like “my children” to me. It takes great effort with the physical pain that I have, but it is such a huge part of my Soul, that I must continue to create my Art. It has literally become my main purpose in life.

I have a very strong sense of FAITH, which is often reflected in my paintings. I am happily married (to my rock guitarist husband), and we share one (extremely multi-talented) grown son. Oh, and I love dogs, horses and all animals! Our Southern California home screams, “Art and Music!” (Mostly our OWN art and music).

I have been creating my Art throughout my life, in many forms and ways. I’ve been looking forward to opening this website for some time, now. It is a very exciting endeavor for me to bring this website and these first few paintings to the online art community, and the general public. Please feel free to email me at: melartist1147@gmail.com

*You can Follow me on my INSTAGRAM account listed under the name maltney (my Dad’s nickname for me).