About Page
Artist Statement
DARLENE MELLEIN ARTIST STATEMENT
An Urban/Primitive theme underlies most of my work. My paintings are my commentary on societal dysfunctionfrom primitive man to the alienation of the modern. Although I flirt with the dark side and have a fleeting affection for it, humor infuses my view of life and informs my art, resulting in an intuitive style I call Alternative Social Realism.
When I paint, I create simple non-specific primitive figures, suggesting Everyman, resulting in an Outsider sensibility because of my take on the world I am conveying, and the natural fit for my personality. From this perspective I transform the real into symbols, both archetypal and personal, which occur and repeat like the doodlings of a private and primal dream.
Exhibitions
07/08/2010
Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Thousand Oaks, CA
Green/Vert/Verde: Environmentally Inspired
01/15/2011
La Galeria Gitana, San Fernando, CA
Rediscovering San Fernando at 100
12/04/2010
Arena I Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
Chaos & Order
10/30/2010
La Galeria Gitana, San Fernando, CA
Celebrating Our Mexican Heritage
08/13/2010
Palos Verdes Art Center, Palos Verdes, CA
National Juried Show
10/01/2010
Bellavino Wine Bar, Thousand Oaks, CA
Solo Show
09/11/2010
La Galeria Gitana, San Fernando, CA
Car Culture
01/23/2010
La Galeria Gitana, San Fernando, CA
Urban Spaces: The San Fernando Valley
Aug-Sep-09
Abuelita's Mexican Restaurant, Topanga, CA
Solo Show at Abuelita's
June, 2009
Valley Institute of Art, Sherman Oaks, CA
5IVE: Group Therapy
May, 2009
Valley Institute of Art, Sherman Oaks, CA
E-Collagical
04/11/2010
Arena 1 Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
How Did We Get Here; Where are We Going
Jan. 2009
Topanga, CA
Topanga Cyn Gallery Juried Show, Laddie John Dill Juror
2008
Ventura, CA
Ventura County Arts Council Juried Competition
2008
Tarzana, CA
Orlando Gallery--Small Works
May, 2008
Forbes Hall, Santa Monica, CA
Solo Show
2008
Topanga, CA
Topanga Canyon Gallery Juried Open, Topanga Canyon Gallery
2008
Burbank, CA
CAA Juried Exhibition, Burbank Creative Arts Center
2007
Sherman Oaks, CA
There's No Stopping Her Now, VIVA Gallery
2007
West Hills, CA
WPW Juried Show, Finegood Art Gallery
2007
St. Louis, MO
Contemporary Women Artists, Mad Art Gallery
2007
Channel Island, CA
WPW Juried Show, CSU Studio Gallery
2006
Los Angeles, CA
LA ArtCore, The Brewery
2006
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach Arts Juried Exhibition, Long Beach Art Gallery
2006
Glendale, CA
Brand 35, Nat'l Juried Exhibition, Brand Art Gallery
2006
Czech Republic
Art Above the City, Gallery of Czech Culture, Cesky Krumlov
2005
Glendale, CA
Brand 34 Nat'l Juried Exhibit, Brand Art Gallery
2005
Santa Monica, CA
MAA Juried Exhibit, Sherry Frumpkin Santa Monica Art Studios
2005
Pasadena, CA
WPW Juried Show, Fine Artists Factory
2005
Topanga, CA
WPW Juried Show, Howell Green Gallery
2005
Los Angeles, CA
Women Painters West Juried Show, LA Artcore, the Brewery
2005
Sherman Oaks, CA
Five No Boundaries, VIVA Gallery
2004
Thousand Oaks, CA
Regional Juried Exhibit, Thousand Oaks Community Gallery
2004
Hollywood, CA
L.A. Artcore, Barnsdall Art Park
2004
Pasadena, CA
Folktree Gallery
2004
Topanga, CA
Nat'l Juried Show, Topanga Art Gallery
2004
Fallbrook, CA
Jubilee Nat'l Juried Christian Art Show, Fallbrook Art Gallery
2004
West Hills, CA
CAA Juried Exhibition, Finegood Gallery
2004
Glendale, CA
Brand 33, Nat'l Juried Competition, Brand Gallery
2003
Glendale, CA
Brand 32 Works on Paper, Nat'l Juried Exhibition, Brand Gallery
2001
Northridge, CA
So. CA. Open Regional Juried Exhibition, VIVA Gallery
2000
West Hills, CA
One Woman Show, White Meadows Gallery
1999
Newport Beach, CA
Peter J'art Gallery
1998
Rheinfelden, Germany
"In the Moment, Merkel Gallery
Gallery Representation
Orlando Gallery, Tarzana, CA 2004/5
Abbot Kinney Art Gallery, Venice, CA 2005/6