Shaylee Ann Messersmith – Artist Statement
My artwork is an exploration of my inner landscape, a visual representation of emotions and past experiences that shape my present. Through painting, I develop a deeper understanding of myself, using color and form to translate feelings into tangible expressions.
Each piece carries an emotional weight. Like happiness, sadness, frustration, or uncertainty, manifesting through intentional color choices, layering techniques, and expressive patterns. Warm hues like yellow, orange, and red evoke joy or relief, while blues and purples reflect melancholy. Greens and yellows can capture discomfort or an undefined emotional state, creating a dialogue between color and feeling.
My process is fluid and intuitive. Though I often intend to focus on landscapes, I allow my instincts to guide me, leading to subjects like flower pots, fish, or teapots. I began working with oil paint but transitioned to acrylic, with scale being the only constant in my art. My portfolio is like a patchwork quilt, diverse in imagery yet unified through color, pattern, and emotion, all tied to the theme of my inner landscape.
In moments of artistic exploration, I turn to the creative community on social media for inspiration. Artists like Maddy K, Asher, and Maithili G, whose work I discovered on Pinterest, have influenced my approach, encouraging me to experiment with new techniques and expand my artistic vocabulary.