Melanie Jane Williams

Melanie Jane is a self-taught artist working from her home studio in Maple Ridge where she also teaches painting to people of all ages.  Oil is her medium of choice. Her works are exhibited in the Lower Mainland and Alberta.

In addition to showing her paintings, Melanie has two murals on public display: her ‘Pitt River and its Wildlife’ was created for display at the Maple Ridge Hospital and her ‘Calgary Stampede” adorns a wall in McGillicutty’s Pub in Calgary.

She wasn’t sure how she would be able to pursue her art once there were children to consider. However, when the babies arrived, Melanie packed them up and ventured off seeking subject material down dykes, over paths and grassy hills, along creeks and ocean sides. Not surprisingly, her children have ended up in many paintings.

Melanie had a defining moment one day sitting in her studio. The kids were dancing around pretending to be frogs and kangaroos. It was difficult for Melanie to concentrate, but she suddenly realized that she had managed to find the balance for her two greatest loves — family and painting. She says “time can always be made for the things you love”.

Melanie’s work is romantic, passionate and fresh. It takes more than a pretty scene to inspire her. She explains that “it is the places and experiences I feel I HAVE to paint that end up on my canvas". Always present in her work is "emotional essence". Moments are "told" through use of colour, light and composition.

Melanie is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, the Fort Langley Artists Group and the Garibaldi Art Club. The oil paintings of Melanie Jane can be seen at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery.