A tribute to my Sweet Leilani, nature fashioned roses kissed with dew…
30”x40” Acrylic on Canvas| 2023
DM if interested
29”X60” Acrylic | Honorable Mention | 2022 | The Community House | OUR TOWN Art Show & Sale
This painting provides daily affirmations for the truth that each day is what we choose to make of it.
ONLY 20 prints are available for this work. Custom sizes available.
Acrylic painting 40”x40” with resin | 2022
DM if interested in a print. Custom sizes available.
30"x40" Mixed Media | 2021
The keys placed throughout this whimsical painting allow access to color, beauty and the splendor of life. We are all products of our experiences both positive and negative. The keys symbolically represent our innate ability to release ourselves to experience the richness of our existence.
The original has dimension. DM if interested. Custom size prints available.
Mixed Media on Canvas 40”x60” | 2021
SOLD 2023
48”x60” Acrylic | 2023
The stitching represents the fabric of special moments layered with the elements that bring dimension to each chapter of our lives. The butterflies represent perpetual transformation and personal growth. The heart is surrounded by the joys of simplicity.
DM if interested in original or prints are available in custom sizes.
Acrylic on Canvas, 42x54 inches | 2017
Melissa Parks |Art&Soul Dreams| Founder and CEO 2015-2021
“Be who you really are” sounds easy until you WORK at being who you really are. SEE ME is a reflection of my thoughts as I prepare for a life-long journey of art and activism. After a chance experience in 2015 at a children’s museum across country in Rhode Island, I was profoundly moved after SEEing older foster children photographed. I drove home learning more about the 17 children I encountered than I knew about the foster care system in my own state of Michigan. This painting took on many stages as it progressed over the last year. Not knowing how it would turn out or how long it would take, I began and trusted the process, exploring as I painted. The pink dolphin represents rarity, transformation, healing and love. Painting for me provides a center of calm awareness and inspired intuition which is synonymous with meditation. The bright and happy colors provide a sense of optimism. But look closely the numbers tell a different story. Approximately 13000 children in Michigan are in the foster care system at any given time. 806 of those children need a forever-family. I cry for love found in forever families and love lost in unclaimed dreams. Sweat comes through every pore of my being as I swim through a system I desperately want to understand and change. There are things hidden in this painting meant to draw you in. However, once seen they cannot be unseen –like the beautiful children sheltered and hidden within our foster care system.
Dedicated to my friend who said, “You have been put on earth to do this!”
DM if interested in the original or custom size prints.
Acrylic 18”x24” | 2008
This self-portrait is full of symbolism. the painting of the palm tree at sunset is symbolic of my Hawaiian wedding to my husband, John. The importance of the birthday cake during a December snowfall references my, oldest daughter, Josie’s birthday. I am holding my daughter Leilani, (Heavenly Flower) while multitasking while getting dinner ready. I included a teapot because I love celebrating women with tea parties. The apple is symbolic of my career as an educator. Doug, my pug, is the dog I always wanted.
DM if interested in custom size print.
30"x40" Acrylic on Canvas | 2015
Vibrant, strong beautiful sunflowers enjoy worldwide recognition. The physical act of creating keeps me motivated as an artist. I must feel what I am creating. The sunflower symbolizes more than paint on a canvas. The intensity of the color, bending of time and space as well as the fluctuation of calm versus anxiety are released while I paint. I hope you are able to see- beyond the image of a sunflower.
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s sunflower installation triggered strong emotions in me. His use of sunflower seeds symbolizing the power of hope during the human tragedy that existed during Mao Zedong’s reign. His story inspired the radiance depicted in this piece. My creative choices were allowed to flow through me as a consequence of emotions. I forgot about technique and symbols evolved as I connected to a deeper meaning.
SOLD
38"x38" Acrylic on Canvas | 2005
Custom size prints available. DM if interested.
20"x36" Acrylic on Canvas | 2011
SOLD
24"x36" Acrylic on Canvas | 2011
SOLD
34"x34" Acrylic on wood
Private Collection
20"x24" Acrylic and Resin on Canvas | 2011
Private Collection
12"x12" Acrylic on Canvas | 2003
12"x12" watercolor | 2005
Private Collection
14"x17" Acrylic on Canvas | 2005
Private Collection
35"x35" Acrylic on Canvas | 2005
DM if interested in custom size print.
12"x12" Acrylic with Resin on Canvas | 2010
DM if interested in an original- takes 3 weeks.
48"x48"x 2" Acrylic on Canvas | 2010
SOLD
Heading into the future is a little like a caterpillar entering a cocoon. The caterpillar doesn't know he'll come out a butterfly. All he knows is that he's alone, it's dark, and it's a little scary.
48"x 25" Acrylic on Canvas | 2011
Private Collection
38"x60" Acrylic on Canvas | 2007
Private Collection
26"x34" Acrylic on Canvas | 2003
30"x 40" Acrylic on Canvas, 2012
DM if interested.
The Waiting Room is a metaphor of a place of transition between the physical and mental- where anything can happen.
23"x23" Acrylic on Wood
Melissa Parks, 2014
23"x23" Acrylic on Wood
Melissa Parks, 2014
48"x48" Acrylic
Melissa Parks, 2014
The Waiting Room is a metaphor of a place of transition between the physical and mental- where anything can happen. The time of waiting which anticipates change.
21"x21" Acrylic on Wood
Melissa Parks, 2014
21"x21" Acrylic on Wood
Melissa Parks, 2014
12"x12" Mixed Media
Melissa Parks, 2013
23"x23" Acrylic on board
Melissa T. Parks
23"x23" Acrylic on board
Melissa T. Parks
21"x21" Acrylic on board
Melissa T. Parks
23"x23" Acrylic on board
Melissa T. Parks
23"x23" Acrylic on board
Melissa T. Parks
23"x23" Acrylic on board
Melissa T. Parks
Side view
21"x21" Acrylic on board
Melissa T. Parks
48"x48" Acrylic on board
Melissa T. Parks
The Waiting Room is a metaphor of a place of transition between the physical and mental- where anything can happen. The time of waiting which anticipates change.
10"x14" Acrylic on board
Melissa T. Parks
10"x14" Acrylic on Wood
Melissa Parks, 2014
10"x14" Acrylic on board
Melissa T. Parks
Upcycled Chair
Melissa T. Parks
Paper Mache and Resin
Melissa T. Parks
18.5"x24.5" Ceramic Tile
Melissa T. Parks
14"x12" Acrylic
Melissa T. Parks
22"X25" Acrylic on board with frame
2015
Red Collage 2022
Orange Collage 2022
Yellow Collage 2022
Green Collage 2022
Blue Collage 2022
Purple Collage 2022
Mosaic powder room. The client gave me a blank canvas to create. Ten days of pure fun- ceiling to floor!
February, 2009
Back splash mosaic done with broken dishes, saved items, and tiles. The client had a great collection of items to create with. She took many trips to Home Goods to supplement the yellow, blue and white tile. This was completed in a week!
Tiles made to match the fireplace wall. Dimensional tile with different thicknesses and patterns.
Organized and boxed and ready to install.
This was done for a teenagers bathroom.
This was made with McKenzie Childs broken dishes.
Inspired but the Red Robin broken dish.
Mirror
This was inspired by the salt and pepper cactus.
My circle pieces are vibrant, bright, and remind me of thousands of rainbows superimposed one on top of the other. I recognized the affinity I had for circles when I was painting under makeshift conditions (about 10 years ago). I associated a balance in my life with the spirit of the circle. The influence of the circle reinforced a protective shield that allowed me to continue working with peace of mind. The circle symbolizes the infinite thoughts and influences in my life. I’m on a continual quest to create fresh ways of expressing ideas. I am in perpetual motion: painting in my studio, teaching, being a mom and wife. Impressive in scale are some of my works while others are small and hold true to my favorite things: color, texture, pattern and circles! Feast your eyes and enjoy!
20” Acrylic Paint, Wood and Resin
Wood, Acrylic and Resin
36"x36"
Wood, Acrylic and Resin 18"
Wood, Acrylic and Resin
24"
Melissa Parks
Wood, Acrylic, Resin
12"
Melissa Parks
Wood, Acrylic, Resin, Mirror
18"
Melissa Parks 2008
Acrylic on Canvas
16"x16"x2"
Melissa Parks
Wood, Acrylic, Resin
14"x5"
Melissa Parks, 2014
18" Acrylic and Resin
Melissa T. Parks
Paper maché elephant designed by Melissa Parks in 2008 for Detroit Country Day Lower School.
Why An Elephant Sculpture?
The ability to bring a community together through art is an amazing opportunity. As the Lower School Art Teacher, I have a passion for form and color. I believe that we all have the seeds of artistic expression within us. Art communicates messages through visual images that everyone can comprehend and interpret from their own perspective. Art is judged on craftsmanship, design, aesthetic properties and how ell the work reflects the environment in which it is created.
The author, Daniel Pink, Discusses in his book, "A Whole New Mind," How providing a great art program allows children to demonstrated a passion for learning while nurturing their ability to be prepared for tomorrow's workplace. Being a creative thinker from an early age helps in all endeavors and individual may take. I have never known a better, more fertile environment than DCDS that can make this statement a reality.
With the support of Mrs. Rebold, coupled with my desire to make an impact within the DCDS community, we gave life to the idea of a paper maché elephant sculpture.
An individual with great foresight once said, "Vision without a task is only a dream. A task with out a vision is drudgery. But vision with a task is a dream fulfilled."
To the Hindu way of thought, the elephant is found in the form of Ganesha who is the god of luck, fortune, protection and is a blessing upon all new project. Ganesha in all his magnificently vibrant, elephant glory, is intent on bulldozing obstacles on your behalf (isn't that funny- male elephants are termed "bulls")
In many western cultures, the elephant meaning pertains to: Reliability, Dignity, Power, Royalty, Pride.
The Christian symbolism the elephant is an icon of temperance, patience, and chastity.
As a Chinese Symbol, The elephant is considered a symbol of: Happiness, Longevity, and Good Luck.
50"x100" Watercolor, printing, graphite
Melissa Parks, 2013
Rhode Island School of Design
Knowing I was about to embark on a journey from Michigan to Rhode Island I dressed in a cloak of emotional armor while preparing to be stretched and challenged at RISD. The challenges I would be facing would be internal as I would be taking risks to re-examine my creative practice. I rediscovered my love of watercolor after almost 20 years. Thinking GRAND I was drawn to the larger than life image of armor. The lobster was a natural organic symbol, contrast in color and size as well as the natural protective shell. The crustacean was an obvious extension of my experiences in Rhode Island as it swims through the armor. The blue watercolor appears soft and feminine not metallic and hard and yet plays with sense of whimsy.
This is a documentary by my daughter, Josie Teachout 2015
Nothing better than wine and art all in one!
Photos by Chloe Hajjar
Blue handle black grout and blue stones with butterfly.
Leopard duck with broach.
Pink shoes and feather shoe topper.
Black bottle with bird gem clear topper.
White bottle heart charm and red topper with white wings.
Strawberry and green tile.
Red and white with candy cane ornament.
Asian themed red and black.
Little girl and blue feathers
Pink broach with pink feather topper.
Three canisters with ducks and real coral gems.
Teacups on square bottle.
White tile black grout with Elephant charm.
Red handle white grout heart with jewel.
Western table with cowboy.
Glittered word Relax and octopus topper.
Green tiles green topper and butterfly gem
Dice topper and black, white and mirror.
Red handle white grout heart with jewel and tulip topper.
Blue stones black grout, gerber daisy, white wings.
Bee yellow and blue with black grout and yellow flowers.
Black tile white grout and tons of turquoise.
Purple Amethyst gem necklace.
Black grout multi colored tiles with candy gems and candy topper.
Orange tile with turquoise necklace with turquoise topper.
Owls on colored tile.
Yellow purple duck topper with feather, multi-colored tile, white grout.
Multi-colored tile, black grout with pink and green gems.
Peacock and owl gem, black grout, green tile.
Multi-colored tile, black grout and artist manican.
Blue tile, white grout and blue duck topper.
White grout with white tile, snow gems and red topper.
Blue and white tile, Relax bottle, white grout and blue square gem topper.
Craft show- 2011
12”x10” Glitter, Gems, Resin
2023
SOLD
12”x10” Glitter, Gems, Resin
2023
SOLD
12”x10” Acrylic, Glitter, Gems, Resin
2023
SOLD
18”x22” Acrylic, Glitter, Gems, Resin
2023
DM if interested
24”x16” Glitter, Gems, Resin
2023
DM if interested
24”x16” Glitter, Gems, Resin
2023
DM if interested
18”x22” Acrylic, Glitter, Gems, Resin
2023
DM if interested
2023 Commissioned Installation
Gems, Glitter, Resin
12”x10” Glitter, Gems, Resin
2023
SOLD
10”x7” Acrylic, Glitter, Gems, Resin
2023
SOLD
I emanate a creative intention enhancing the sweetness, color, and joy of our human experience.
