Melissa McCracken at Blue Gallery 2018

MELISSA MCCRACKEN INCANDESCENCE

Solo Exhibition June – July 2018

118 Southwest Blvd Kansas City, MO 64108 816.527.0823 BlueGalleryOnline.com

Melissa McCracken in her studio

Melissa McCracken INCANDESCENCE solo exhibition

Artist Talk and Opening Reception Thursday, May 31, 2018 6–9 pm Artist’s talk begins at 7:00 pm First Friday June 1, 6–9 pm Exhibition runs through July 28, 2018

INCANDESCENCE is the visual portrayal of the grounds for burning bright, both figuratively and literally. Not only are elements of each piece inspired by the depiction of sunspots and evening light, but are also rooted in the fulfillment of emotional connection, self-expression, and absolute satisfaction. In other words, it is a visual recognition of unacknowledged pining being satisfied: when you stamp your feet because the “golden hour” looks sublime on the kitchen wall, when a strategic string of guitar notes just feels right, or simply the feeling of being understood in conversation and connection. It’s the sounds, experiences, and visuals that make you feel whole.

-Melissa McCracken

About Blue Gallery In business for 18 years, Blue Gallery is a popular and respected fixture of Kansas City’s vibrant art scene. Its underlying philosophy reminds visitors of the owners Kelly and David Kuhn’s genuine commitment to the arts: they treat art and beauty as fundamental elements of life, and instill this mood into their gallery. But what has set Blue Gallery apart is the way Kelly and David conduct their business behind the art. “We work with our artists with the same tenants as our collectors: integrity, passion, and obsession with quality in every decision we make,” says Kelly. “Our philosophy is the result of over 25 years working with professional artists and collectors. Over all, David and I are committed to providing an inspired and profound experience that is inclusive and transformative.”

Established in 2000 at the center of Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District, Blue Gallery represents 40+ emerging to established local, regional and nationally known artists, with works placed in private and public collections worldwide. Blue Gallery holds several exhibitions a year, as well as participates in First Fridays, held exclusively in the Crossroads Arts District monthly. Blue Gallery is considered one of the premier galleries in Kansas City having won numerous awards including KC Magazine’s Best Private Art Gallery in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, and Ingram’s Magazine Bronze for Best Museum or Art Gallery in 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2017. And 435 Magazine’s Best Local Art Gallery in 2015 and 2017.

Send Me Showers of Light oil on canvas 74" x 68" $12,500

So Long oil on canvas 62" x 68.25" $9500

A Sunday Night oil on canvas 48" x 48" $6500

Lilac Wine oil on canvas 48" x 48" $6500

Pavane oil on canvas 48" x 48" $6500

Wasn’t It Kind of Wonderful oil on canvas 48" x 48" $6500

Freedom oil on canvas 41.25" x 31.25" fr. $5500

Some Kind of Wonder oil on canvas 37.5" x 37.5" fr. $5500

La Mer oil on canvas 40" x 30" $5200

I’d Do It All Again oil on canvas 30" x 30" $4800

Last Night Feels Like a Past Life oil on canvas 30" x 30" $4800

Artisan Dreamer oil on canvas 24" x 36" $4600

If I Was a Bird oil on canvas 24" x 24" $3500

Love Is Touching Souls oil on canvas 24" x 24" $3500

Two Drifters oil on canvas 20" x 20" $2900

A Delicate Balance oil on canvas 16" x 16" $2600

Fly Too High oil on canvas 14" x 14" $1800

Ghosts oil on canvas 14" x 12" $1800

Live in Layers oil on canvas 14" x 12" $1800

Melissa McCracken Curriculum Vitae Biography Melissa McCracken was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1990. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from William Jewell College in 2013, but ultimately pursued a career in the arts post-graduation. As a synesthete, she utilizes her unique ability to see colors in the sounds she hears. Many of her paintings incorporate vibrant colors and lively textures to depict the movement of music.

Implementing the effects of both palette knives and brushwork, Melissa seeks to convey the swirl of colors embedded deep in her mind’s eye.

Layered blossoms of color and streaks of white create cosmic-like scenes, evoking new perceptions of melody and rhythm in her audience.

Through her work, Melissa strives to unmask the elusive areas of the world we encounter, allowing a refreshing experience of the familiar.

Education William Jewell College, Bachelor of Psychology, 2013 Solo Exhibitions 2018 Incandescence, Blue Gallery, Kansas City, MO 2017 Convergence, Blue Gallery, Kansas City, MO 2016 Playlist No. 2, Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO 2015 Visual Opus, Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO Printed Publications 2018 American Lifestyle Magazine 2018 The Kansas City Star 2016 Onyx 2015 Oprah Magazine 2014 Andy Warhol’s Interview Magazine Videos “Painting a Song” TEDxLafayetteCollege Make Your Mark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDzvPmAap8M “Synesthesia and What It Has Taught Me” TEDxUNC Colorwheel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvPd3wH21z8 “The Artist Who Paints What She Hears” Great Big Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbh7tAnwLCY&t=4s “Melissa McCracken Kansas City, MO” American Lifestyle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryWPijXPf5o&t=8s “Meet an artist who sees orange in Michael Jackson songs and blue in the letter A” The Kansas City Star http://www.kansascity.com/ entertainment/article208767614.html Press/Publications Online

A Plus: Melissa McCracken Is An Artist With A Neurological Condition That Allows Her To See More Than Most People American Lifestyle Magazine: Shades of Sound: The Art of Melissa McCracken Andy Warhol’s Interview Magazine (de): Ich Sehe Songs Art Inspiration: Melissa McCracken paints music she can see Art Sheep: Synesthete Artist Paints The Music She Hears And These Are The Results Artist Inspire Artists: Melissa McCracken paints music she can see Bored Panda: I See Music, So I Decided To Paint What I Hear CNN’s Great Big Story Culture N Lifestyle: “I Paint Music” By Melissa S. McCracken Daily Star: Video: Can you guess the famous song behind this painting?

Dangerous Minds: ‘Song Portraits’: What Does Music By Radiohead, Stevie Wonder & David Bowie Look Like?

Demilked: Artist With Synesthesia Can See Music As Colorful Paintings DIY Magazine: An Artist With Synesthesia Has Putradiohead, Glass Animals And John Lennon Songs To Canvas

Press/Publications Online continued

EDM: Watch An Artist Demonstrate The Rare Ability To Hear Music In Color Elite Daily: Artist Paints What She Hears And Creates Abstract Masterpieces Good Magazine: From a Rare Neurological Condition Comes Gloriously Vibrant Art Heavy Metal: 10 Rock Songs Painted by a Woman Who Sees Music i100, The Independent: Woman who sees music as colour shows you what your favourite songs look like IBN Live: This Artist Can Literally See Music and She Paints Her Favourite Songs IFL Science: Here’s How an Artist with Synesthesia “Sees” Songs/ Inside: Artist Melissa McCracken, who has synesthesia, sees music as color.

Interrete: This Artist Paints Music It Colossal: Artist Melissa McCracken Paint Music Lockerdome: 14 Hit Songs Painted By An Artist Who Sees Music As Incredible Bursts Of Color!

MTV: This Artist Experiences Sound As Colors And Paints What Music Looks Like My Art Inspiration: Melissa McCracken – Synesthetic Art My Modern Met: Artist with Synesthesia Paints Music as Gorgeous Splashes of Color NPR Fresh Air on Tumblr: Melissa McCracken Oprah Magazine: How One Painter Sees Color in Music - And Turns it Into Incredible Works of Art Oryx (Qatar Airways) “Making Sense of the World” Panda Whale: Melissa S. McCracken on Etsy Painting Music Perspective Daily: Do These Paintings Sound Right To You? Popist: Want To Know What A Radiohead Song Looks Like? With These Paintings, Now You Can Positivr: Reaching synesthesia, she can see the music. She decided to paint what she hears.

PSFK: Artist With Entangled Senses Paints Musical Explosions So Bad So Good: Artist Suffers From Synesthesia, Amazingly Paints The Music She Sees The Art Elephant: Seeing Sounds: Artist With Synesthesia Paints What She Hears The Kansas City Star: Meet an artist who sees orange in Michael Jackson songs and blue in the letter A The Sound: Artist paints music the way she sees it Uproxx: Want To Know What A Radiohead Song Looks Like? With These Paintings, Now You Can Vangardist: Melissa McCracken Ist Synästhetikerin Und Malt Musik Viral Vinny: Artist With Synesthesia Creates Beautiful Paintings Of Music WJC Inscape: Alumna Spotlight XOXO The Mag: Melissa McCracken

118 Southwest Blvd

Kansas City, MO 64108

816.527.0823

BlueGalleryOnline.com