E. Melinda Morrison is an award-winning Texas portrait and figurative artist who has been painting professionally for more than twenty-five years. Her work is grounded in a deep respect for traditional craftsmanship while remaining open to experimentation and personal narrative. With a consistent focus on figures and portraits, Melinda creates paintings that feel intimate, thoughtful, and emotionally resonant. Each piece tells a story, whether drawn from the quiet power of a single figure, her Western roots, or her lifelong love of animals.
Rather than relying on overt drama, Melinda allows subtlety to guide her work. A gesture, a posture, or a quiet moment becomes the center of meaning. Her paintings invite viewers to slow down and engage, rewarding close observation with layers of emotional and visual depth.
Mastery of Medium and Technique
Melinda works primarily in oils, gouache, and egg tempera, often combining these materials to achieve effects that would not be possible with a single medium alone. By blending oils with egg tempera, she creates surfaces that are both luminous and controlled, allowing for delicate transitions and refined modeling of form. This approach enables her to push the boundaries of each medium while maintaining clarity and structure in her compositions.
Egg tempera provides precision and a soft matte quality, while oils introduce richness and depth. Together, they create a visual balance that feels timeless yet contemporary. Her use of gouache plays an equally important role in her process. When beginning larger works, Melinda develops small gouache studies that explore composition, color relationships, and narrative direction. These studies fill her studio walls, offering a revealing glimpse into her creative thinking and disciplined preparation.
Artistic Education and Early Development
Melinda’s strong technical foundation was shaped through formal education and years of dedicated study. She studied art at the University of Texas at Tyler, where she developed her skills in drawing, painting, and observation. She later continued her education at the Art Students League of Denver, dedicating four years to intensive study that strengthened her command of the figure and portraiture.
This academic background gave Melinda the tools to work confidently within traditional frameworks while still allowing room for interpretation and personal expression. Her figures are anatomically sound and thoughtfully composed, yet never rigid. Instead, they feel alive, grounded in both structure and emotion.
Exhibitions and Professional Recognition
Early in her career, Melinda achieved multi gallery representation, an important milestone that helped establish her professional presence. Over the next seventeen years, she held more than eight one-woman exhibitions in Santa Fe, a city known for its vibrant and discerning art scene. In addition, she participated in numerous two person and group exhibitions in Denver, steadily building a reputation for consistency and excellence.
Today, as a mid-career artist, Melinda continues to evolve creatively while maintaining a strong professional practice. Her work is collected across the United States and internationally, reflecting its broad appeal and emotional accessibility. Collectors are drawn not only to her technical skill but also to the quiet narratives embedded within each piece.
Publications, Awards, and Distinction
Melinda’s work has been widely featured in major national and regional publications, including Southwest Art, American Art Collector, The South African Artist Magazine, The Santa Fean Magazine, and the Albuquerque Journal. These features highlight her standing within the contemporary figurative art community and her continued relevance in a competitive field.
Her dedication to excellence has also been recognized through numerous awards. She has received honors from respected organizations such as The Portrait Society, Oil Painters of America, NOAPS, the International Figurative Show, and the BoldBrush Art Competition. Each award represents peer recognition of her skill, vision, and commitment to her craft.
Teaching and Sharing Knowledge
In addition to her studio practice, Melinda is a highly respected and sought-after teacher. She offers private instruction in her studio as well as classes and workshops outside of it. Her teaching approach is rooted in clarity, patience, and encouragement, helping students build strong foundations while discovering their own artistic voices.
Melinda believes that teaching is a natural extension of her practice. By sharing her knowledge and experience, she contributes to the continued growth of figurative painting and supports the next generation of artists. Her students benefit not only from her technical expertise but also from her insight into sustaining a long-term career in the arts.
Featured Artwork: Ball Hunting
One notable example of Melinda’s narrative approach is her painting Ball Hunting, measuring 11 by 14 inches. The artwork reflects her deep connection to animals and her ability to capture quiet, meaningful moments. Rather than depicting action for its own sake, the painting focuses on presence and anticipation, allowing the subject’s character to emerge naturally.
Through careful composition and sensitive handling of form, Ball Hunting embodies many of the qualities that define Melinda’s work. It is intimate, thoughtful, and grounded in observation, inviting viewers to connect with the subject on a personal level.
Representation and Ongoing Vision
E. Melinda Morrison is currently represented by Texas Treasures Fine Art in Boerne, Texas, and Jack Meier Gallery in Houston, Texas. Through these galleries, her work continues to reach new audiences while maintaining strong relationships with established collectors.
As she moves forward, Melinda remains committed to refining her techniques, expanding her narratives, and exploring the enduring power of figurative art. Her paintings stand as quiet but confident expressions of storytelling, craftsmanship, and artistic integrity, reflecting a career built on passion, discipline, and continual growth.
