Photo by Dave Cooper

Photo by Dave Cooper

Melanie Biehle is an abstract painter inspired by the emotion and architecture of place.

Born in Louisiana and now based in the Pacific Northwest, Melanie paints from her Seattle studio and lives just outside the city with her husband, son, and pets. Her work is shaped by a lifelong creative path that spans writing, photography, and film marketing — mediums that honed her intuitive sense of composition and atmosphere.

Though she came to painting later in life, her artistic practice reflects years of visual curiosity and emotional sensitivity. She holds a master’s degree in psychology and studied abstract painting and composition at Gage Academy of Art in Seattle. Influenced by the abstract expressionist tradition, her inspirations include Richard Diebenkorn, Lee Krasner, and Joan Mitchell.

Whether inspired by the quiet rhythms of coastal landscapes or the vibrant energy of new destinations, Melanie’s paintings evoke a connection to the beauty of the world, offering a sense of groundedness and possibility.

Artist’s Statement

My work is an exploration of the emotional qualities that travel awakens — spaciousness, curiosity, ease, and inspiration.

I create abstract interpretations of place. Rather than depict specific destinations, I blend memory, architecture, nature, and aerial views into layered form, texture, and movement.

Working in oil or acrylic I build tactile surfaces that recall the sensory details of exploration: walking barefoot on warm sand, studying the edges of a weathered stone, or watching light move across layered facades. I often use found natural elements — like broken shells or textured rocks — to distress the surface, grounding the work in the landscapes that inspire it.

My paintings move between two distinct visual languages: one fluid and atmospheric, the other more structured and composed. Once seen as opposites, I now embrace them as reflections of the rhythm of travel — the spontaneous and the intentional, the expansive and the detailed.

The ocean is my greatest source of calm and creative energy. Having lived on two distinct coastlines brings depth to my work. Whether shaped by the lush coastal textures of the Pacific Northwest, the warm desert tones of Southern California, or the ever-evolving energy of discovery through travel, my paintings express a deep connection to place.

In your home, each painting becomes an anchor to the beauty you’ve experienced and a quiet call toward what’s still to be discovered.

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