‘Having lived in Big Sur most of my life, I am constantly surprised and delighted at how rich and varied the coast and mountains are. Always changing, often challenging, I think of my life here as “life on the edge”. This quality of life in Big Sur parallels my own desire to paint on the edge as well, moving between inner and outer landscape, between what seems to be external and what is clearly internal.’ In May 2026 Melissa exhibited Living in Color at the Carmel Art Association, featuring large-scale oil paintings that expanded upon recurring themes in her work by amplifying and simplifying earlier ideas while intensifying her exploration of color. Her compositions draw from the elemental forms of the natural world, such as water, foliage, horizons, and the sky, rendering them with a luminous intensity that feels transcendent but quietly familiar. The video below presents a visual tour of the exhibition, showcasing the paintings featured in Living in Color.