About

Short Bio

Melissa Lea Simmons (1967 NH) is a contemporary fine art painter and lifetime resident of New Hampshire, where she resides with her spouse of 25 years.

Statement

Melissa Lea Simmons, Artist Statement, April 2023

I am an American artist recognized for my expressive abstract paintings.

My artistic decisions are moved by intuition as I manipulate layers of medium, color, line, and form to create space and motion while inspiring thought and connection; quite often I create recognizable subjects, such as floral bouquets or landscapes.

Moments of self-reflection, experiences of life, and love for my neighbor are conveyed through my use of strokes and imagery, and are intended to cause pause, curiosity, and levity of spirit.

Biography

Melissa Lea Simmons (1967 NH) is a contemporary fine art painter and lifetime resident of New Hampshire, where she resides with her spouse of nearly 30 years.

She led a fulfilling professional career supporting local businesses and education where she used her creativity in both the workplace and the classroom. At home, her creativity and love of color inspired home renovation and design projects, commissions of furniture painting, and canvas paintings for loved ones. She earned a Bachelor of Science from Southern NH University in Business Education with NH Teacher Certification in 2006.

Today she creatively combines her love of business, education, and art into her new career as a full-time fine professional artist. Her paintings are expressive and colorful abstracts on canvas and paper, oftentimes with recognizable subjects such as florals and landscapes.

Melissa Lea began painting professionally in April 2021. In 2022, she registered her art business with NH and entered her art into 3 online international juried competitions, receiving awards and 3-month online exhibitions with each. Her paintings have exhibited in NH: See Saw Art, Mosaic Art Collective, The Library Arts Center, SEH Studios Art Gallery, and The Art Center, in Maine: Kittery Art Association, and in Massachusetts: Newburyport Art Association. She has her work in two publications, is an active member of two professional art associations, is active on Instagram (2k followers,) where she also created a social media support group for fellow NH artists (@nh.art.show.week, 2k followers.)

Learn more about Melissa Lea and her NH art business, Marie Florence Designs, through her website (www.MarieFlorenceDesigns.com) and social media (@mleaflorence).