Melissa Thompson: BOUTS OF OBSESSION
“When I become interested in a new medium, I want to know everything about it and how I can use it in my work and push it in new ways.”
Spring 2024 Artist-in-Residence at Montana Natural History Center
Lava Unicorn by Melissa Thompson.
Tell us about your artistic background and who helped you on your journey.
My artistic journey is composed of mostly bouts of obsession. When I become interested in a new medium, I want to know everything about it and how I can use it in my work and push it in new ways. This doesn’t always pan out to be a great piece of work, but it always broadens my perspective. I really enjoy getting into workflow and spending as much time on a project as it may call for to bring it into the fantasy realm that I am imagining. I would describe my sculptures as magical realism.
Melissa’s sketchbook.
How did the residency influence or change your artistic direction?
When I began my month at MNHC, I had no particular direction that I intended to go. I began scavenging the space, making sketches and small clay carvings from subjects that I found interesting. It would have been very easy to fill the entire month this way, but I decided that I should try to focus on one thing and make a larger work. When I zeroed in on the Deaodon jaw, it gave me lots of freedom for creativity and a rather large work to make.
Daeodon Jaw at the Montana Natural History Center.
Describe your Open AIR Residency experience.
During my time at Montana Natural History Center, I was placed in the expansive main room with the taxidermy animals and dinosaur exhibit. My interactions with kiddos and other visitors were really fun.
Drawing of a Daeodon.
How did the residency influence or change your artistic direction?
I try to keep my work on the lighter side philosophically. I really enjoy making people smile and offering up the unexpected. With such a comical demeanor and wide array of materials used, the Daeodon sparked lots of interest with visitors. I wasn’t able to finish the “Hell Pig” while I was there, because it is so large but will be looking forward to showing the finished piece at the group exhibit this spring.
Melissa’s in-progress sculpture at the Montana Natural History Center.
See Melissa on-site at the Montana Natural History Center!
Open AIR’s short video with Melissa on site.
See Melissa’s Artist Talk!
Visit Melissa’s website and follow her on Instagram @melissathompsonart
