Faculty Spotlight: Melissa Devine

Independent artist Melissa Devine is an instructor for Seneca’s Illustration, Art Fundamentals, and Animation programs. She teaches classes focused on life drawing/painting and anatomical exploration. Outside of teaching, Melissa continues to explore the figure through personal drawing studies and paintings. 

Melissa often shares content that reflects the lessons and demos her students receive throughout the semester.

“I’d like to share with students that this independent artistic journey we’re all facing is a never ending challenge – no matter how many hours or years have passed.”

On a weekly basis, Melissa attends life drawing sessions in and around the GTA. These studio sessions vary in size, ranging from small independent artist groups to larger art gallery guilds. She tries to dedicate at least two to three hours a week to studying the figure and visually communicating what she sees in front of her.

“I find figure drawing is much like a dance. Sometimes one step forward, two steps back. Sometimes three steps forward, one step back. No matter how the dance goes, I’m always grateful to have had the opportunity.”

As for her paintings, Melissa spends time in her studio working with oil or watercolour mediums. She often uses still life or photo references for inspiration, with subject matter involving a landscape, figure, animal, or object. These studio projects are very small or large in size and can take a few hours to several months to complete. Melissa usually works on these painting projects in the fall and winter seasons, when the weather is not as favourable outside.

“It’d be great if I can encourage students to adopt a healthy mindset of work routine practice and effort outside of class by sharing my attempts for artistic self-dedication on social media.”

Images courtesy of Melissa Devine

View more of Melissa’s work here: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_devine_art/