Melissa Strawser
Works on Paper~Sculptress~Author
Welcome! I'm Melissa. Raised in one family setting with self-taught folk artists to carry the torch for woman in art. Devoted Pennsylvania Dutch (German) heritage to honor under-appreciated legacy that my mom's folk art studio practice created. She instilled in me "to be an artist is to believe in life." Together we hold 70 years in studio art practice that is woman-based. I studied experimental printmaking with Masters at UCL, Slade School with a first Printmaking, Masters of Art in 1995. I'm a multi-faceted artist; intaglio printmaker, painter, sculptress and new author to Everyday Art, Folk Art. Works on Paper are in private collections throughout the USA and abroad and often showcased in galleries in the usa and abroad. My love for art in the garden and landscapes create inspirational space for my outdoor sculpture works that are hand-forged within Bertoia Studio. I run two etching printmaking presses and manage two studio art practices in Bally and Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. Thank you for stopping by to value that art is the change. Your support for local artists, like me, truly empowers a difference. Find small works in shops to support small local business around Lititz. Join us for our exclusive e-vites and studio updates!
Here's to making your soul grow with art,
Melissa Strawser
Off the Press
I run a Rembrandt Pelican Press, Legacy Mini Halfwood Press and may think about a 1850, French Ledeuil Workshop Press to join my toolbox. Works on Paper are made with a traditional yet experimental printmaking of aquatint and chine colle. I'm inspired by everyday art in life, dreamscapes, themes and nature. The etchings often make themselves out of imperfections that I see.
"An etching is a conversation between artist and plate." – "I paint the spirit and soul of what I see'
~Rembrandt van Rijn
Sculpture
We hand-forge at Bertoia Studio using precious metals for outdoor sculpture 'in the garden' - fountains and garden sculptural stakes. In 2017, we began collaborating with sounding gongs making gongs for sound into works on paper that take sculpture to a dyptych and third art form we call gong prints.
Studio Visits
Art is for moving transformations into another level, to experience it, visit us, we love art! Our studio art practice is a place for immersion and historical storytelling; art makes memories. Our modern history, creative space; is the place where you ground yourself with the art. We are located in a biodiverse, original Bertoia homestead. Contact me above to schedule by appointment or join us for the exclusive e-vites and updates.
"The urge for good design is the same as the urge to go on living"
~Harry Bertoia
Resources
Art Preservation
Gong Garden
Archival Work
Works on Paper
Mystery Print
Garden Sculpture
Updates
- Awesome Features: Collaborator/Val Bertoia Studio -Sounding Gong Diptychs
- Publications: Philadelphia Inquirer, Reading Eagle, Morning Call, New York Times featured Bertoia Studio legacy on April 2, 2023
- Visits: Studio visits are scheduled by appointment
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Art practice with a lot of ♥
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