Melanie Harman
Melanie Harman is an Arizona-based artist who works in varied watermedia including watercolor, acrylic and collage. She began her art journey in 2005 as a mid-life beginner and has since taken workshops with noted National and International artists such as Tom Lynch, Lian Quan Zhen, and Laurie Goldstein-Warren. In addition to Contemporary Watercolorists of Arizona (Co-Chair Exhibitions), she is a member of various Arizona and regional arts organizations and volunteers in several capacities. She is available for workshops and demonstrations in watercolor and acrylic gel print collage. Her work can be found in collections in the USA, United Kingdom, and Australia. She likes hiking and traveling both within the USA and abroad.
My work reflects the world around me, be that people, places, flowers, things. Achieving a full range of values in whatever medium I use is important to me. I try to convey to the viewer what caught my attention and gave me the desire to paint, be that value contrasts, color contrasts or compelling subject matter. I am currently working with poured watercolor from dark to light. This gives a strong value contrast and allows the paint to mingle on the paper with soft edges where I need them.
Lately, I have found myself drawn to certain subjects that evoke a mood – peaceful, even slightly melancholy. This may be due to the past few tumultuous years, or simply a reflection of my current stage in life. Painting these becomes a calming meditation.
Selected Exhibitions
2025 November - Daniel Smith Award, Northwest Watercolor Society 85th International Open for “Against the Light”
2025 November - Award of Merit, Contemporary Watercolorists of Arizona Fall Exhibition for “Venados Circus”
2025 August - October - 2-person show at Beatitudes Campus through Arizona Artists Guild (Acrylic)
2024 August – October - 2-person show at Beatitudes Campus through Arizona Artists Guild (Watercolor)
2024 September - 3-person show at Olney Gallery (Acrylic)
2023 M. Graham Award, Northwest Watercolor Society 83rd International Open for “Ealing Broadway Blues”
Signature Status
Western Federation of Watercolor Societies (WFWS), Arizona Watercolor Association (AWA) and Contemporary Watercolorists of Arizona (CWAz).
Juried member of Arizona Artists Guild and Arizona Art Alliance
Against the Light - Watercolor - 15 X 15
Bratislava - Watercolor - 20 X 16
Calm Confidence - Watercolor - 10 X 8
Ealing Broadway Blues - Watercolor - 22 X 22
Havest - Gel Print Collage - 10 X 10
Venados Circus - Watercolor - 20 X 29