Meet Artist Melinda Shook, Spring Obsession Theme Division Artist

Melinda J. Shook

T-004  Tulip Graceful Sign of Spring wc 16x13 $500

Born and raised in Southern California, Melinda received her B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of California at Los Angeles. A year later she earned a K-8 General Teaching Credential. Her teaching career spanned thirty-six years, retiring in 2002.  Art was always an integral part of her curriculum.

In 205 Melinda renewed her interest in watercolor and began her painting career. Nature has always been deeply appreciated and a source of inspiration. With a love of photographye, capturing images is an important and useful tool she empolys in the painting process.

T-005 Tulip Tree Flower wc 29x23 $990

Melinda is a member of Watercolor Artists of Sonoma County (WASCO) and was juried into the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Aqua Areas Exhibition in Santa Rosa. Her painting, "Kyan", was awarded an honorable mention in '07. In '09 she received the People's Choice Award for her painting Pine Flat. In 2010 her painting, "Dutch Treat" was awarded the Glad Baker Memorial Award. She also has membership in California Watercolor Association (SWA), Watercolor West (WW) and National Watercolor Society (NWS). In '07 and '08 she was accepted into the international transparent WW exhibitions. In '07 and '09 she was an exhibitor in the national CWA showings. In the summer of '09 her image "San Zavier del Bac" was selected by the NWS jury to be included in the 89th Annual Exhibition. In addition she submitted three matted paintings to apply for signature status. On October 10th she was presented at the Exhibition Awards Luncheon as a new signature member, a milestone in her career. Being accepted into the 2010 CWA 41st National Exhibition, her third, made her eligible to apply for signature status. On 5 May the CWA Board approved her application for signature membership.

Melinda is continually refining her skills through workshops, classes and employing new techniques in her painting. Several award winning artist have influenced her: Marge Gray, Judy Greenberg, Phyllis Rapp, Barbara Nechis, Joyce Faulknor, Tom Lynch, Jane Hofstetter, John Salminen and Mike Bailey.