About

Melissa Mahoney (U.S., b. 1965) is an abstract painter whose work features dynamic, circular brushstrokes.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, she grew up in a family of artists. She studied at the University of Georgia where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She went on to complete graduate work in Cortona, Italy, studying calligraphy and hand lettering. Her calligraphy skills transferred to her abstract paintings, in which she uses a range of brushes including large, round, Chinese calligraphy brushes. 

Her early works show her technical mastery and emphasis on realism. Her interests later shifted to abstraction, moving further away from the subject and working with only color, form, and texture in her paintings. 

Mahoney is inspired by the Japanese aesthetic, especially the ensō, a Japanese word meaning “circle” that symbolizes strength and enlightenment. While an ensō is traditionally drawn in one continuous stroke, Melissa creates her circles with multiple brushstrokes and calls them Vortices. Her goal is to express balance and dynamic tension.

Both domestic and international collectors include Mahoney’s work in their portfolios. The US State Department recently selected one of her paintings for the US Ambassador’s Residence in Papua New Guinea. At TED2020 and at the TED2020 Staff Retreat, she led Art Discovery Sessions where and hands-on abstract painting workshops for TED attendees and staff. 

Mahoney’s home and studio are in Palo Alto, California.

View CV
 

"I capture the circular energy by striking the canvas boldly with a brush loaded with paint. I see this as controlled chaos,
there’s both a planned and unexpected outcome."
— Melissa Mahoney

 
 
 

Awards & Recognition

  • Selected by U.S. Department of State. 2020-2022.
    Artwork placed in the Papua New Guinea U.S. Ambassador’s residence

  • TED2020 Art Discovery Session Instructor.
    And TED 2020 Staff Retreat, Art Discovery Session Instructor

Collaborations

  • Kevin Barry Art Advisory — California and Nevada Showrooms, Worldwide Advisors

  • Laurie Ghielmetti Art Consultant — Worldwide

  • Chandra Cerrito Art Advisors — Napa, California

  • Esther Mallouh Curator — Oakland, California

Exhibitions
2024 — University of California Law collection, San Francisco, Ukraine inspired painting, title: Vital Justice.
Social Justice Department, Curator: Esther Mallouh
2024 — Palo Alto Art Center, Culinary Exhibition, Juror: Greg Flood,Director of Paul Thiebaud Gallery
2023 — University of California Law collection, San Francisco, Social Justice Department, Curator: Esther Mallouh
2023 — Napa County Library, Solo Exhibition, California
2023 — Midtown Surf, Summer Surf series, Carmel-by-the-Sea California
2022 — Simon Breitbard Fine Arts, Trunk Show, San Francisco, California (2016-current)
2022 — Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, University of California Santa Barbara
2022 — ArtSpan, SFOS, San Francisco, California
2022 — Palo Alto Art Center, RESTART Exhibition, Juror: Patricia Hickson
2022 — University of California Law collection, RIPPLES Exhibition, Curator: Esther Mallouh
2021 — CASP, Palo Alto, California, Open Studio, Resident Artist, July-October 2021
2021 — Art in Action / Camper Restaurant / Melissa Mahoney, Culinary Series, Menlo Park, California
2020 — Google / Mahoney Artwork, textiles, Google Merchandise Store
2017— Triton Museum of Art, 2D Competition & Exhibition, Santa Clara, California
2017 — Peninsula Art Gallery, San Mateo, California
2016 — Woodside Gallery, Woodside, California (2014-2016)
2013 — A Single Grain of Rice, GALERIE MÉTANOÏA, Paris, France
2013 — Jeanie Madsen Gallery, I Love Santa Monica, Santa Monica, California
2013 — TAG Gallery, Bergamot Station Art Center, Los Angeles, California
JUROR: Edward Goldman, Art critic for NPR affiliate station and The Huffington Post
2013 — Wallspace Gallery, Los Angeles, California
2011 — Orange County Center for Contemporary Arts OCCCA, Santa Ana, California
JUROR: Howard Fox (Curator Emeritus of Contemporary Art, LACMA)
2010 — Maiani Gallery, Montecito, California
2010 — The Four Seasons Biltmore, Montecito, California

Artist Statement

Vortices draw all that surround them into their powerful currents. I’m interested in these masses of energy and how they can contain and then transfer their energy. Each piece is intended to convey a sense of motion and an energy that captures, and then transcends, the particular subject matter.

Translating these energies in raw form, I feed the canvas with paint, dyes, metal leaf, enamel and modeling paste, utilizing color with shades of dark and light. In turn, the completed work expresses this dynamic force, inviting the viewer to receive the energy if they choose to.

Enso Inspired

Ensō is a Japanese word meaning “circle”. It symbolizes absolute enlightenment, strength, the universe and the void. As an “expression of the moment,” it is often considered a form of minimalist expressionist art. While traditionally painted on silk or rice paper in one movement, I paint on raw linen, canvas and wood panels using multiple brushstrokes.

“My purpose is to enrich myself and those around me,
by creating and sharing engaging artwork.”
— Melissa Mahoney

Philanthropy
Ronald McDonald House Charities, Palo Alto, California
Art in Action, Menlo Park, California
Loaves & Fishes, San Jose, California
Achieve Tahoe, Alpine Meadows, California
Artsy x Planned Parenthood present Planned Parenthood: Choice Works Benefit Auction
Rise Together Education, Palo Alto, California
Tahoe Connection for Families, Tahoe, California
Salon d’Art in Action, feature artist, Culinary Series, virtual event, benefiting the Art in Action Scholarship Fund
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, San Jose, California
ArtSpan Benefit Art Auction, SOMArts Cultural Center, San Francisco, California
Foundation for San Mateo Libraries, San Mateo, California
Silicon Valley International School, Palo Alto, California
Menlo School, Menlo Park, California
Triton Museum’s Annual Gala, Santa Clara, California
Planned Parenthood Central Valley, Birds & Bees, California