About me
artist statement
My work explores the intensity of being alive. I transform emotion into sculptural forms that slow time and inspire wonder. All the work becomes a mask—radiating beauty while holding life's harsher truths. Hidden in color and play, I am vibrating just under the surface, where sadness, love, and joy all exist together. Nothing is separate, yet I still try to untangle it so I can see clearly.
I am a multi disciplinary artist creating my visions in textiles, sculpture, and acrylic paintings. I am self taught and have been a full time artist the past 11 years.
I explore my own spiritual practice through mask making; this is further enforced through wearing and performing in them. I create video installations of myself with the masks to be projected for live music performances
Since 2021 I have expanded my understanding of texture and shape creating handmade rugs and textiles. My designs are informed by my experiences painting and my love for pattern and abstraction.
Each new medium I work with informs my process, weaving and connecting each new idea into all of my mediums. This in turn expands my iconography and purpose.
Here are some interviews to learn more
American Craft Feature "Tuft Joy"
Fiber Art Takes Two, Friday Feature live interview
Oregon Art Beat Episode 2025
MORE ABOUT ME
I am a full time artist and mother of 3 teenage kids. I started painting In 2013 and have been full time since 2014. I create everyday and have created and sold over 1500 pieces of art. I live in and am from Portland, OR. I share a home studio, a converted church building, with my partner who is also an artist, Jesse Reno. We paint, inspire, and support each other daily. I am inspired by antiques and vintages items, nature, music and everyday life. I play keyboard and sing in my band called soft memory.
bio
Melissa Monroe is a self-taught, multidisciplinary artist who approaches all mediums as sculpture-fiber, ceramics, paint, music, performance, and mask making. Widely recognized as an innovator in the contemporary tufting movement, her work has been exhibited throughout the United States and featured on Oregon Art Beat and in publications including Hi-Fructose, Fiber Art Now, American Craft, and the Tuft the World book. She lives and works in a converted church in Portland, OR, with her three children, partner, and two dogs. Exhibitions include Lynn Hanson Gallery, Seattle, WA; Mortal Machine Gallery, New Orleans, LA; Hey There Projects, Joshua Tree, CA; and Brassworks Gallery, Portland, OR. Monroe has also presented work at major art fairs including the Seattle Art Fair, SCOPE Miami, and the Outsider Art Fair, New York.