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Contemporary Artist Paints with a Leaf Blower

Contemporary Artist Paints with a Leaf Blower
Melissa Ayr Paints “Poppy Collection” with Air

Melissa Ayr - Poppy Collection - Leaf Blower - Golden Gate Bridge 75th

Contemporary Abstract Artist, Melissa Ayr is an artist who paints with air. Ayr has emerged from her studio with a fresh perspective on contemporary painting with her unique practice of using a leaf blower to push paint on canvas. Ayr releases her latest works as a collection inspired by California, the Poppy Collection sets the tone and elements of this floral series with vibrant luminosity. Classically trained in the elements of composition, color and perspective, Ayr creates her own canvas and color pallet with a mixture of pigment, oil and acrylic. The Poppy collection is a body of work created entirely using air. Her instrument of choice is her signature leaf blower which enables Melissa to move layers of paint across the canvas with swift strokes creating an ethereal style that is neither tempered nor deliberate.


Video: Painting with Air – In the Studio with AYR


Ayr is not new to the concept of layering. There is a natural evolution that has taken place that has developed painting by painting and continues to evolve still. With experimentation comes new ground as she defines the style of work she builds. Ayr will often start with the colors at hand and expand. Pushing, pulling and mixing to create her unique art. Paint flows, it dries, it lies somewhere betwixt a liquid and permanence. With the addition of paint, layers form to create a background ripe for expansion or content to be present. Ayr applies the paint in translucent layers on the Canvas and is able to control the air to bend and shape into the essence of floral.

Melissa has been known to use non-traditional methods to produce her works. She has painted with her fingers, hands, arms, breasts, feet and her entire body often bathing in the colors she uses to create. Drizzling, pouring, flowing, throwing have been in her artistic repertoire as tools in her arsenal. Melissa is not attuned to any prescribed method, but chooses to be sporadic, spontaneous and unabashed in her approach to a new piece.

The art world awakens in Miami during the month of December for a host of premiere art fairs, events and all night parties. Art Basel Miami Beach, Red Dot, Pool, NADA Art Fair, Verge Art Miami Beach, and Art Miami will all be on view in early December.

The Poppy Collection will be featured at Red Dot Miami, DECEMBER 5th-8th, 2012. in Florida. Wynwood Art District, 3011 NE 1st Avenue (at NW 31st Street), Miami, FL 33137.

To find out more about the upcoming exhibition and artist Melissa Ayr visit http://www.melissaayr.com.

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About Artist Melissa Ayr:
Melissa Ayr, born in New York, is an international contemporary abstract artist. She was nationally recognized and selected as one of ten artists represented by Ruinart Champagne, a brand of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey. Her art is on the cutting edge of color with bold flowing blends of light and dark. Her style is colorful, vibrant, and full of texture. She incorporates high energy, fluidity, growth and life. She’s known for her rich vibrant color and her ability to create dimension on a flat canvas. http://www.melissaayr.com.

“Eighths,” By Melissa Ayr, Divides New York and the Country

“Eighths,” By Melissa Ayr, Divides New York and the Country
Ayr Collection Released to a Chelsea Champagne Reception on the Eighth

Melissa Ayr Eighths

New York CityMarch 6, 2012 — Today, Melissa Ayr, a Brooklyn-born contemporary abstract artist releases her latest works “Eighths” and “Buttergirl.” “Eighths” is an ode to the exacerbated state of affairs of the American economy, the drug economy as well as the world. The motivation behind the collection was to see an artwork as a complete thought, yet be divisible into many pieces. With a colorful base derived in oil; spread only by her fingers, Ayr created an extraordinary piece that is greater than the sum of its parts. The dark sprays and overlays provide foreground to the rich depth behind an ever-changing image, where the light that strikes the work, changes the very mood of intent.

The American economy has been taken down by a collision of irrational exuberance, Wall Street and the American dream. Fractions of the bond market drove the mortgage crisis into a giant inferno that took out both Boardwalk and Park Place. Thinking in scarcity brought to life the worst nightmare since The Great Depression. Often the currency of the underworld, “Eighths” takes the pieces of American will and determination and aspires to deliver a single united front.

“Eighths”, a collection of eight unique yet connected pieces embodies, a dimensional whole, yet brings out the individuality of the room. This latest masterpiece by Ayr has the versatile ability to be hung in multiple rooms or as one unique piece. As a single work of art end to end, “Eighths” is an extravagant eighty inches of creativity. With spacing, “Eighths” creates an interpolation of light, darkness and balance as the painting consumes any wall and adds instant personality with room to provoke thought.

The art world comes alive in New York during the month of March for a host of premiere art events.  The Armory Show, The Art Show, The Whitney Biennial, the Cindy Sherman retrospective, the New Museum’s triennial, and Choices at the Guggenheim will all be on view in early March.

“Eighths” will be featured during the month of March and will be showcased at a Gala Champagne Reception on Thursday, MARCH 8, 2012. 6:00-8:00 pm in Chelsea.  511 West 25th Street #406, New York, NY 10001.

To find out more about the upcoming exhibition and artist Melissa Ayr visit http://www.melissaayr.com.

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About Artist Melissa Ayr:

Melissa Ayr’s mission is simple; create with passion, open the World’s mind to creativity and become the highest valued female artist of our time.  Melissa offers high end fine art using hand crafted custom made canvas, the finest quality paint and artist talent to make every original painting unique.  Melissa sells original abstract paintings in oil, acrylic and mixed media and keeps her indelible oath to grow her brand, maintain value and hold true to the trust that many collectors have placed in her.  http://www.melissaayr.com

About The Armory Show:

The Armory Show, a leading international contemporary and modern art fair and one of the most important annual art events in New York, takes place every March on Piers 92 & 94 in Manhattan. The Art Show, organized by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) and the third edition of Independent will again join The Armory Show in March. http://www.thearmoryshow.com

Melissa Ayr Presents Painted Baby Grand Piano “Live Energy”

Melissa Ayr Art Painted Piano "Live Energy" Young Chang“Live Energy”
Acrylic on Baby Grand Piano
Young Chang

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Piano Provided by the  Piano Gallery
"Piano Gallery"Images Courtesy of Skipping Stone Studio

Sign the Ayr Art Guest Book

See more about the making of the Painted Piano “Live Energy”
See a sneak peak Video of Melissa Ayr’s hands on process

Liverpool Biennial

Melissa Ayr has received professional accreditation from the Liverpool Biennial.  The 6th International Liverpool Biennial is “Touched”.

Liverpool Biennial

“Liverpool Biennial is the UK’s largest as well as one of the most exciting contemporary visual arts events, and with 960,000 visits in 2008, it is one of the best attended in the world.”

Thanks Biennial team

Liverpool Biennial is the UK’s largest as well as one of the most exciting contemporary visual arts events, and with 960,000 visits in 2008, it is one of the best attended in the world.

“Monarch”

Melissa Ayr Original Art Painting Monarch

“Monarch”
Mixed Media Painting on Canvas
48″ x 96″ x 3″

“Monarch” is the latest painting produced by prolific abstract artist Melissa Ayr.  Monarch represents the transition from somber funk to joyous exuberance.  Melissa Ayr has always been inspired by Pablo Picasso and originally worked to produce an homage to Picasso with this large eight foot canvas.  Underneath the many layers of paint on this painting is a sketch of Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ done in purple soft chalk pastel.  The spirit of Picasso was present.

While inspired by Picasso, Melissa’s mood was more focused on the free flowing energy of the music she heard in her studio.  During the painting of this piece Melissa was listening to Black Eye Peas and was dancing to “Imma Be” at her peak of inspiration.  Her painting transformed from ‘Guernica’ to ‘Monarch’ and drove forward an extension of Melissa’s unique colorful style.

This painting employs several techniques and media.  While keeping true to painting with her body, she also uncovered a new method to produce powerful poignant splatters across the divide of the canvas frame.  This piece is a true multimedia journey as Melissa worked Oil, Acrylic, Latex, Gloss, and Soft Chalk Pastel into the custom made hand stretched natural cotton duct canvas. 

This piece was created during the months of March and April of 2010 in Melissa’s studio, as well as, plein air.  While outside a butterfly flew by and landed on the canvas, which inspired the name ‘Monarch’.

“Bee Bop”

Melissa Ayr Art Abstract Bee Bop

“Bee Bop”
Original Oil Painting on Canvas
72″x60″x1½”

“Bee Bop” was created in two phases.  The background was created first.  Then many months later Melissa came back to this painting to finish it.  Melissa used her hands to create the background and the overlay was painted with a brush using broad strokes.  The painting is done in oil on cotton duct canvas.  It took over 9 months to create this painting.  This painting represents joy at the present moment.  The title “Bee Bop” represents the happy bouncing movement that was coursing through the artist listening to Jazz music.  This painting is gallery wrapped and was created in the year 2009.  This painting was featured at Melissa’s exhibition Pure Creativity at the Goodrich Gallery in Dallas near the Heart of the Arts District.

Melissa Ayr Art Abstract Bee Bop Room

“Water Garden”

“Water Garden”

Melissa Ayr Oil Abstract Painting Art Artist Water Garden Monet Frankenthaler

“Water Garden”
Original Oil Painting on Canvas
60″x48″x1½”

“Water Garden” is a heavy textured original oil on canvas. This painting took over 9 months to create.  The artist used her hands to put down the texture over the cotton duct canvas.  This painting was formerly known as “Inferno” and was hung in the Galerie Blu’u inside the Montbleu Casino Resort in South Lake Tahoe.  “Inferno” was inspired by the Angora Fires around Lake Tahoe in 2007.  “Inferno” was painted outside as ash and soot fell over it and is embedded in the painting.  “Water Garden” was inspired by the impressionist painter Monet and is considered a transitional piece for Melissa’s career as an artist.

Melissa Ayr Oil Abstract Painting Art Artist Water Garden Detail

Detail View

“Pink Whip”

Melissa Ayr Original Art Painting Pink Whip

“Pink Whip”
Acrylic Painting on Canvas
48 x 36 x 1½

“Pink Whip” was created in 2009 and was the inspiration that led Melissa into creating “Wild Thing”.  This artwork was responsible for transitioning the cloud-like color blends Melissa had been focused on into a Jackson Pollock driven creative free for all.  Melissa maintains a robust presence of the color pink whilst orange and yellow tease the canvas with complementary style.  This artwork was recently sold to one of Dallas’ premiere art collectors.

Melissa Ayr Presents “Wild Thing” Painting to The Wild Foundation

Please support Wild9 – The Wild Foundation World Wilderness Congress (WWC).

Melissa Ayr Wild Thing Banner Artist The Wild Foundation

The WWC is the best-known and most effective platform for debating and acting on wilderness issues. They provide a balanced approach, taking on highly charged issues in a constructive manner, and most importantly helping to broker solutions.

WWCs launch numerous wilderness and wildlife protection organizations and networks including: the Wilderness Action Group (South Africa), The Cheetah Conservation Fund (Namibia), the Wilderness Associazione Italiana (Italian Wilderness Association), the Kissama Foundation (Angola), the International League of Conservation Photographers, the Native Lands and Wilderness Council, the Government Network of Wilderness Professionals

Jane Goodall Wild9 Melissa Ayr Artist

World Renowned primatologist, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace.  In July 1960, a 26-year-old Jane Goodall began her landmark study of chimpanzee behavior in what is now Tanzania under the mentorship of famed anthropologist and paleontologist Dr. Louis Leakey.

Dr. Goodall will deliver a keynote address and personally lead a special workshop on Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, the Jane Goodall Institute’s global environmental and humanitarian youth program, for all WILD9 delegates who wish to attend.  www.janegoodall.org

Melissa Ayr has donated the Painting “Wild Thing” to support The Wild Foundation to keep the wilderness wild.

Melissa Ayr Art Wild Thing Wild9 melissaayr.com

“Wild Thing” is available for sale and the proceeds will go 100% towards supporting The Wild Foundation.  Please contact Melissa Ayr for more information about supporting Wild and purchasing this work of art.

For more information and to donate to The Wild Foundation please go to http://www.wild9.org.  Support WILD! You can help make a real difference. WILD depends on the support of people like you for the majority of its funding.

Donate Directly Here