December 27, 2023
I had the honor of creating this series of paintings to commemorate William “Bill” Ramos, a fixture in the Sacramento community. I worked closely with his Grandson, Will, to incorporate imagery that represents him in various stages of his life.
Bill was the son of Spanish immigrants and grew up on a farm in the Delta. He served in the Navy during World War II on an aviation gas tanker. He supplied all the fuel to the Sacramento Deep Water Channel project and did it working 12-14 hour days, 6 days a week for years. This kickstarted his business, Ramos Oil, which is still in business 72 years later.
According to Bill, life’s most important lessons were to be kind, compassionate, generous and most of all, to love unconditionally.
July 15, 2023
I pinch myself when I get projects like this. I was tasked with creating a series of paintings for the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center in Torrance that incorporated native flora, fauna and nature elements. I went with a subdued color palette with pops of vibrancy and exposed wood. I also incorporated pencil illustrations and textural patterns. Very grateful for this project. Thank you to Grigio Art and Thelma Macmillan Recovery Center!
April 8, 2023
Here’s an install photo for a couple of large paintings I created for a freight and analytics company based in Denver, Colorado. Each painting was 50” wide by 40” tall.
September 23, 2022
This new series of 7 paintings is headed to San Marcos where they’ll live at various nurse stations in the Kaiser Permanente hospital. The client wanted artwork that incorporated regional flora and fauna, as well as a color palette the suited the interior space of the hospital. Install photos coming soon.
March 22, 2022
I just wrapped up a really fun project that I’ve been keeping secret for a while. Starbucks commissioned me to create an exterior mural at their new store in Stockton, California. The job was to create a vibrant and welcoming mural that spans a series of brick walls and incorporates local Stockton imagery. My mural incorporates various bits of Stockton history, culture, flora and fauna. Here are some photos and a video of the final piece!
December 7, 2021
I'm excited to announce that I’ll be pivoting a bit with my art. I'm taking a little break from my geometric/fragmented art and will focus on my wood cutouts which I love creating.
My first collection of cutouts, "Amore", includes people, places and things that evoke the spirit of romanticism. They are dreamy, affordable, and hand-cut from sustainably sourced wood. Here’s the first batch!
September 27, 2021
Here are some shots of the ballet stage art that my twin sister and I created for Capital Dance Project’s (CDP) annual Behind The Barre performance at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento, CA. It was an honor to work with CDP once again to create art for the stage!
September 14, 2021
My sister and I are working hard on our stage art for Capital Dance Project’s (CDP) annual Behind The Barre performance, which will be held this coming weekend. This will be our 3rd collaboration with CDP! This year we are collaborating with choreographer Frances Chae. Pics of our stage pieces to follow!
May 13, 2021
Just finished up a mural at a private residence in the lovely Glen Ellen, CA in Sonoma County. I worked closely with my clients, Julie and Susan, to create a design for their pool house that suits the surroundings, adds pops of color, and incorporates imagery near and dear to them. It’s going to be hard to top this dream job. The sweetest clients + the most peaceful location. Here are some final pics of the pool house mural.
May 12 , 2021
Excited and honored to be included in a group show at the beautiful Groundswell in Sacramento. The opening was May 8th but the show will run the month of May.
The theme of the show is “Alkaloid.” Alkaloids are a class of plant-originating compounds that have intense and varied effects on humans. Their function in relation to the human body ranges from life-saving (antimalarials and your morning coffee) to addictive to poisonous. For this exhibition, alkaloids serve as a symbol of the connectivity between and among all living things. The natural world may be our best shared experience as humans, binding us together, chemically and otherwise, in ways we barely comprehend.
March 3, 2021
I recently installed my newest project in the lovely lobby of Strategies 360 in Downtown Sacramento. The folks there wanted me to create a large scale artwork of the state of California. Below is what I came up with! The piece incorporates layers of walnut and birch wood, paint, illustrations and sustainably sourced, preserved moss. I definitely was pushed outside the coziness of my comfort zone with this one but I’m pretty proud of the end result.
August 24, 2020
I just completed my newest mural for this year’s Wide Open Walls mural festival. This year I was asked to do an interior mural for the folks at Strategies 360 located at the beautiful 555 Capitol Mall building. The mural is 50 feet long and spans the length of 5 offices. Here are some shots I took of the finished rooms. Better photos to come!
August 5, 2020
I’ll now be offering some of my original artwork on The Artling, an art consultancy and online gallery based in Singapore. You can view the pieces here
December 7, 2019
My newest exhibition, Winter Wander, opened last night at Beatnik Gallery in Sacramento. It will be up through February. Come check out my latest work along with the beautiful art of Sarah Golden and Yelena Martynovskaya. Here are some pics from the opening.
December 5, 2019
New press alert. I was just featured in Submerge Magazine. In the article I discuss my history, art process, my new series and a lot more. If interested, can find the online version here.
November 12, 2019
I’ll be participating once again in the Verge Art Auction on November 16th in Sacramento. This is always a fun event and it helps raise money for Verge Center for the Arts which provides vital resources to local career and emerging artists and offers arts education opportunities for youth and adults. You can find out more about the event here.
August 29, 2019
I’ve finished my first two murals! Both were within a week of each other. The first was an interior mural at Urban Hive in Sacramento. The second was an exterior mural at the California Auto Museum for the Wide Open Walls mural festival. Here are some shots of the finished pieces…
August 20, 2019
That’s a wrap! Just completed a fun collaboration with my twin sister, Melinda, and ballet choreographer Kaori Higashiyama for Capital Dance Project’s Annual Behind the Barre performance. This year, 10 local artists were paired with 10 CDP choreographers to create a unique artistic ballet experience. Melinda and I wanted to create a stage piece that was vibrant and that paired well with Kaori’s choreographic vision. This was our first time incorporating fabric into our art. Such a rewarding and fun experience with a hardworking team.
July 18, 2019
I’m thrilled to be creating a little mural for this year’s Wide Open Walls mural festival in Sacramento! More info coming soon!
July 11, 2019
New show alert! I’ll be exhibiting a couple of pieces at Antler Gallery in Portland, Oregon on July 25th. I’ve never shown in Portland so I’m quite excited! Here’s the lineup…
June 6, 2019
Summer is here once again and I’m finding myself smothered and covered in new art projects, woohoo! Here’s what’s on the horizon: a mural in Sacramento in June/July, an art show in Portland in July, art for a new Sacramento restaurant, stage art for a ballet in Sacramento in August and a big big show in Sac in November. Plus all my graphic design stuff. Every day I’m hustlin’
April 3, 2019
I was recently selected by UpperCloud Media to paint a pair of Nike Airforce 1’s that were auctioned for charity (for The Men’s & Women’s Leadership Academy). This was a partnership between Arden Fair’s UnchARTed arts program and the Sacramento Kings. Such a fun experience! Here are some pics…
October 23, 2018
I’ll be participating once again in the Verge Art Auction on November 17th in Sacramento. This is always a fun event and it helps raise money for Verge Center for the Arts which provides vital resources to local career and emerging artists and offers arts education opportunities for youth and adults. You can find out more about the event here.
September 13, 2018
Less than one month away! 111 Minna is celebrating year 25 in the biz! The artist list is insane...and I’m on it! Mark your calendars and let’s party! Oct 5th @ 5PM until late
August 13, 2018
That's a wrap! I just completed perhaps my favorite art project I've ever worked on and I must admit that I'm a bit emotional that it's all over.
I was selected, along with my sis Melinda Arendt, to create stage art for Capital Dance Project’s annual performance of Behind the Barre. We were paired with the CDP’s wonderfully talented choreographer, Rex Wheeler. For the theme of the piece we decided we wanted to portray the various stages of love, and more specifically, heartbreak. For the visuals we created two large ancient Greek statues which were composed of plywood, paint and Sharpie pens. Added to one of the statues was bendable faux neon, bent in the shape of a heart. We also created 2 wooden triangles that were hand-painted and placed behind the statues.
The pieces served as backdrops to Rex's brilliant ballet performance at the beautiful Crest Theater on August 10 & 11. It was a magical experience that I will truly never forget. Below are some process pics and a pic from the performance. Long live CDP!
July 8, 2018
I've got a huge project coming up that I'm insanely excited...and a little anxious about. I'll be doing a 25' x 7' mural for Philz Coffee!!! This will be my largest art piece to-date. It will be located at their Walnut Creek location. Photos coming soon!
July 3, 2018
I have been given the wonderful opportunity of creating an original piece of art for use in the lobby of the brand new 980 Central building in West Sacramento, a Fulcrum project. I'll be creating a large 4' x 6' piece and am so thrilled! Pics coming soon.
June 4 2018
I have been selected, along with my sister Melinda, to create stage artwork for Capital Dance Project's annual performance, Behind the Barre. We will be collaborating with the brilliant choreographer, Rex Wheeler, on the project. More details to come!
April 1, 2018
As part of their brand new "Rail Arts District," RAD Napa has selected a group of artists to create "wraps" for their train utility boxes that run the span of the Wine Train. Looks like I was selected! Attached is my mockup of the piece i'll have wrapped onto my utility box.
November 27, 2017
It's that time of year again for the annual 100 Under 100 art show. This show is always a ton of fun! Give the gift of art this holiday season, or make a small investment to begin your very own art collection with a local emerging Sacramento artist. The reception is December 1st from 6-9PM at WAL Public Market, 1104 R Street, Sacramento. Hopefully I'll see you there babes! Here's the flyer and the pieces I'll be exhibiting...
November 1, 2017
It's almost time again for the annual THE Art Auction at Verge Center for the Arts. This event generates a significant percentage of Verge's funding, so I feel honored to help out. I've submitted work to the auction before but this will be my first year in attendance and I'm thrilled. I hear the auctioneer is really good at what he does. The event is on Saturday, November 18th at Verge Center for the Arts at 625 S Street in Sacramento. The evening begins at 5:30pm with two silent auction lots followed by a live auction at 7:00pm. Here is my piece that will be auctioned off, woohoo!
October 17, 2017
I was recently asked to help adorn the walls of a brand new restaurant in East Sacramento called Canon. Of course I said hell yes. After a tour of the exquisite restaurant I decided that instead of providing existing artwork, that I would instead create some new pieces for the space. On a strict deadline of two weeks, I busted out the pieces below, titled "Culture Nourishment #1" and "Culture Nourishment #2." They present the idea of nourishment through culture. Within my clusters I incorporate fragments of music, literature and art as well as local landmarks. I imagine that Canon will be a place where the community will come, have a drink, and indulge in vibrant conversation about culture, travel, music, art, nature, literature, etc. and these pieces will perhaps ignite such conversation. Photographs by Sarah Marie Hawkins.
April 23, 2017
Just finished up this new commissioned piece. Every year the Holbens, an unbelievably cool Sacramento couple, commissions a local Sacramento artist to create an art piece for each of their daughters' birthdays. Such a wonderful idea! Based on a little inside scoop about their daughter's interests, I came up with the piece below. I hope she digs it!
March 8, 2017
In honor of International Women's Day, I've teamed up with Uprise Art and a handful of lovely lady artists to offer a new collection of artworks. 100% of proceeds go to Planned Parenthood! You can view the insanely beautiful collection here.
November 21, 2016
I'm really excited about my upcoming show, titled "Alone Together," which opens on January 6th at 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco. I'll be showing a brand new series of paintings, along with the art of Justyna Kisielewicz and Emily Burns. The show will be up for two months so you'll have plenty of time to check it out. Here's a link to the event.
October 27, 2016
I was asked to submit a piece to this year's THE Art Auction at Verge Center for the Arts which will be held on November 19th. Proceeds benefit the center and its programs. You can get more info here. Here's my submitted piece...
October 11, 2016
I will once again be participating in the Free Arts NYC Junior Board Art Auction which will be held on November 10th. This year I have one piece that will be auctioned off. All proceeds provide underserved children and families with education arts and mentoring programs. Here's the flyer for the event and my submitted piece...
October 10, 2016
Hey kiddos, I've got an exhibition coming up on November 4th at Roll Up Gallery in San Francisco. The show is title "Windows" and features an all-female lineup which includes Alexas Amann, Allison Snopek and more. Here's a link to the show page.
August 20, 2016
I recently collaborated with Bobart', a Parisian concept-store and Balibart to create an art print celebrating Bobart's 3rd Anniversary. The art print can be purchased at their location in Paris. Here are some images of the final piece...
August 5, 2016
The 5th annual If You Do Me, I'll Do You exhibit, opened tonight at WAL Artist Lofts in Sacramento. IFDMIDY is a portrait show including the work of over 22 local Sacramento artists. The artists randomly selected another participating artist to make a portrait of, resulting in an incredibly unique and thoughtful exhibition. Below is my piece of Shaun Burner, an incredibly talented gent.
Photo courtesy of Tubemag
November 18, 2015
I was invited to submit artwork for the Free Arts Junior Board Auction held at D'Agostino & Fiore Gallery in NYC. All proceeds help underserved children re-imagine their worlds through the creative arts...so rad! Here are some photos from the event :)
November 4 , 2015
Unfortunately my proposal for the Sacramento Arena Public Art project was not chosen. That was my first time in the public art realm and I was able to take away a wealth of knowledge and some great memories. Lots of people have been curious about my concept so here are some renderings. My concept was a tribute to Sacramento via large suspended "gold nuggets" made out of glass.
August 30, 2015
Happy to be part of a group show which opens on Friday titled "Enormous Tiny Art." This is an annual group show held at Nahcotta Gallery in New Hampshire which involves lots of artists and lots of small art pieces. I'll be showing 6 brand new pieces. Here's a link to the event!
August 11, 2015
I've been named as a finalist for a public art installation at Sacramento's new arena! There are 17 finalists vying for 4 separate art installations. I'll be spending the next two months creating my proposal and then the winners will be announced mid-October. You can find an article about the project here. I'll keep you updated!
July 9, 2015
On August 8th I'll be part of a group show titled "If you do me, I'll do you" at WAL in Sacramento. Here's the flyer...
June 6, 2015
20% OFF!!! In honor of their 4th birthday, Uprise Art is offering a special 20% discount on all art...including mine :) The sale runs nows though June 16th.
Head to their website here and use the coupon code FFMELISSA
May 8, 2015
Balibart, a lovely online art gallery based out of Paris is now offering limited edition prints of my work, along with the work of many other fabulous artists. You can find them here.
March 27, 2015
Upcoming exhibition! I've been asked to join Nahcotta Gallery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for their annual "Enormous Tiny Show" in September. I'll be creating 6 new pieces for the show.
March 27, 2015
I'm a favorite at the Affordable Art Fair according to Lofty! Here's the article
February 7, 2015
Upcoming exhibition! 8 of my works will be shown at Uprise Art's booth at the Affordable Art Fair in NYC. The fair runs March 25 – 29th at the Metropolitan Pavilion in the Chelsea district.
January 23, 2015
Upcoming exhibition! I'll be showing 6 pieces at the Art of Beer Invitational, a celebration of craft beers and fine art in Sacramento, CA on January 30th. I went to this event last year and it was a ton of fun...lots of local beer, local art and local food. A portion of the proceeds go to benefit Ales For Autism.
January 3, 2015
New year, new Instagram. I finally have a new Instagram dedicated to my art. Follow me @melissaarendtart
September 6, 2014
So much fun was had last night at the opening for Tectonic Array. Always a rad time at 111 Minna. Here are some photos courtesy of artbusiness.com and 111 Minna...
August 7, 2014
Upriseart.com, an online contemporary art gallery based out of NYC has added a handful of my paintings to their shop. You can check them out/buy them here
August 5, 2014
One more month until my newest art exhibition at 111 Minna in SF. I'm incredibly excited! Here's the flyer....come!
May 22, 2014
Upcoming exhibition! On September 5th, 2014 I'll be sharing the 111 Minna walls with Michael Murphy. The show is titled "Tectonic Array". I've got lots of walls to fill so I'm gonna be a busy chick...can't wait! More info here
January 29, 2014
Upcoming exhibition! I’ll be showing 6 new paintings at a group exhibition at 111 Minna in San Francisco. The show is titled “Less is more: an exhibition focused on the ornate complexities which may exist on a smaller scale”. The date is Friday, April 4, 2014. More info here
July, 2013
Named one of the "50 California Artists You Should Know" by California Contemporary Art Journal. See the full list here.
October 20, 2012
The opening for "Corporeal Clusters" was last night at 111 Minna in San Francisco and it was a great success. The group show featured 18 of my newest paintings as well as the work or Kelly Allen and Xiau-Fong Wee. Here are some photos from the show courtesy of artbusiness.com
September 11, 2012
Just dropped off my new series of paintings at Blackbird Kitchen and Bar in Sacramento. You can see them on permanent display in the upstairs dining room.
June, 2012
I'm in Print Magazine! (Bottom right) Got #15 for their "Hand Drawn Competition".
