“Untitled” Found broken transistor radio 2.375 x 0.875 x 3.25 inches Found in 2022 by Melissa R. Strom This piece of art is a found object. It is a small, green-gray, rectangular transistor radio. Covering about half of the front of the radio is a silver speaker that has a circular indentation pressed into it. There appears to be a few small areas where the metal speaker is stained or scratched. On the front of the speaker, the text “Westinghouse” is written in tall and narrow, metal, blocky let...
May 15, 2023•2 min•Season 4Ep. 9
"$953" Created in 2023 by Melissa R. Strom Acrylic, receipts, glue on found fabric on canvas 8 x 24 inches This piece of artwork is made of a long, narrow, vertical canvas wrapped in plaid fabric that the artist found. It has a green, red, and tan plaid pattern on it. About three quarters of the way in from the left, there is a long seam that runs down from the top to the bottom of the canvas. It appears that the fabric was cut and shifted so that the plaid pattern no longer matches up with the ...
May 15, 2023•1 min•Season 4Ep. 8
“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer" Created in 2022 by Melissa R. Strom Magnetic videocassette tape, ink, and glue on canvas 8 x 8 inches This piece of art is made of a square canvas wrapped in magnetic videocassette tape. The tape itself is black, shiny, and has a reflective quality to it. One long piece of tape, about half an inch wide, loosely wraps the entire canvas vertically/in a vertical manner, from the front all the way across and around the upper and lower sides, and bac...
May 15, 2023•55 sec•Season 4Ep. 7
"The greatest human drama that the world has ever known!" Created in 2022 by Melissa R. Strom Magnetic videocassette tape and glue on canvas 8 x 8 inches This piece of art is made of a square canvas wrapped in magnetic videocassette tape. The tape itself is black, shiny, and has a reflective quality to it. One long piece of tape, about half an inch wide, tightly wraps the entire canvas horizontally/in a horizontal manner, from the front all the way across and around the left and right sides, and...
May 15, 2023•44 sec•Season 4Ep. 6
“And I’m gonna be 40!” Created in 2023 by Melissa R. Strom Broken VHS tape, ink, acrylic on polystyrene 20 x 24 inches On a clear piece of polystyrene, the words “Charlie Chaplin had babies when he was 73” are hand painted, spaced over the middle of the piece in a thick black ink. Layered over top of the text are the smashed bits and pieces of a black VHS tape. Most of the outer casing of the VHS tape sits in the bottom right corner of the piece. Although the center of it is smashed, we can see ...
May 15, 2023•53 sec•Season 4Ep. 5
"Job Switching" Created in 2022 by Melissa R. Strom Broken VHS tape, ink, soft gel on polyester 20 x 24 inches On a clear piece of polystyrene, the words “I've never been so bored in my life” are hand painted, spaced over the majority of the entire piece in a thick black ink. Layered over top of the text are the smashed bits and pieces of a black VHS tape. Most of the outer casing of the VHS tape sits in the top right corner of the piece. Although the center of it is smashed, we can see the text...
May 15, 2023•48 sec•Season 4Ep. 4
“What I hate is agnosticism, people who do not choose.” Created in 2022 by Melissa R. Strom Broken VHS tape, ink, soft gel, gravel, and leaf on polystyrene 20 x 22 inches On a clear piece of polystyrene, the words “What I hate is agnosticism, people who do not choose.” are hand painted, spaced over the middle of the piece in a thick black ink. Layered over top of the text are the smashed bits and pieces of a black VHS tape. Most of the outer casing of the VHS tape sits to the center-left of the ...
May 15, 2023•1 min•Season 4Ep. 3
"Salute" Created in 2022 by Melissa R. Strom Broken VHS tape, ink, soft gel on polystyrene 20 x 25 inches On a clear piece of polystyrene, the words “As long as you have your health” have been scrawled in a seemingly angry manner using a black ink. The ink has dripped straight down in some areas. The letters are large enough that the words take up the majority of the space. Layered over top of the text are the smashed bits and pieces of a black VHS tape. Most of the outer casing of the VHS tape ...
May 15, 2023•1 min•Season 4Ep. 2
“Feedback" Created in 2023 by Melissa R. Strom Acrylic, receipts, tape on polyester 20 x 24 inches This piece of art is made of a black rectangular piece of polystyrene covered almost entirely in black acrylic paint. The paint appears fairly matte but is rubbed away in some places, making the background look rough and aged. In addition, five lines of text are formed from negative space where black acrylic paint has not been used. The letters are in all capitals and appear stenciled and blocky. T...
May 15, 2023•1 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Welcome to the Real World presents a collection of pop cultural, historic, and anecdotal references from the lens of the artist's everyday life. Each piece tells a unique story through which personal connection and universal struggle converge. Often depicting a moment in time when the artist recalls being told, “Welcome to the real world,” a sense of relatability comes forth that the artist hopes to share with the viewer. This show is a solo exhibition featuring the works of Melissa R. Strom. We...
May 15, 2023•23 sec
Go for a walk. 2021. Oil on canvas. 12 x 24 in. 2021. A male figure, located off center to the right, is in mid-stride. He walks towards the left side of the canvas. His face is in profile but not given much detail. It is cropped at his thighs. He looks at a shop window. An unseen light source illuminates the building’s facade (to the right of the figure). The wall is light grey with black letters and numbers. The storefront window, to the left of the figure, is painted with neutral blue, grey a...
Dec 17, 2021•47 sec•Season 3Ep. 7
Living room. 2020. Oil on canvas. 12 x 24 in. This painting is of a dim living room facing a window. Towards the bottom, left corner of the piece, in front of the window, we can see the silhouette of a man. To the right-hand side, there is a dusty blue colored couch, and a ruby red lamp. The arm of the sofa contains a mandarin colored floral design. Background is the window, curtains and wall of the living room. The perspective of this piece is low, like we are sitting in the room.
Dec 17, 2021•30 sec•Season 3Ep. 6
Open the Door, and Let Me In. 2021. Oil on canvas. 12 x 24 in. A hand is the focal point of this painting. It is located at the top of the painting one third from the left. The hand is pressing against a black rectangle. The thumb points to the left, and the digits are straight up and close together. We see a three quarter view of a figure’s head. He stands facing towards the door. His black garb blends seamlessly into the black of the door. The right side is occupied by a light grey wall. The l...
Dec 17, 2021•47 sec•Season 3Ep. 5
Do I repeat myself? 2020. Oil on paper. 8 x 15 in. In a dim room, a figure slouches in a mid-century modern art chair. We are looking at the chair from the side and it faces towards the right of the painting. The figure is a masculine silhouette with subtle inferences for skin, hair, collar and black suit. He appears to look back at the viewer but the eyes are indiscernible. He rests his right elbow on the arm of the chair, and holds his relaxed fist up. It is level with his head. The viewer’s p...
Dec 17, 2021•53 sec•Season 3Ep. 4
Do I repeat myself? (2) 2020. Oil on paper. 8 x 15 in. This piece is a second study of “Do I repeat myself?” The focus is on a figure slouching in a mid-century modern arm chair on the left-hand side. We see the chair from the side. The design of warm gray flowers and dark green leaves is prominent on the chair’s upholstery. The figure is mainly a silhouette with subtle inferences for skin, hair, collar and blacksuit. The male character rests his elbow on the arm of the chair. He holds a relaxed...
Dec 17, 2021•52 sec•Season 3Ep. 3
Cards. 2021. Oil on paper. 8 x 15 in. The perspective of this piece points across, and slightly down upon a dark brown table top. We see the figure of a man wearing a black suit sitting at the table, but only from the neck down. His hand is holding several red and white playing cards. Below this hand, on the table, are playing cards lying face-up. Two white serving plates are visible on the viewer’s right-hand side of the composition. Yellow cheese, bologna, and a silver butter knife rest on one...
Dec 17, 2021•49 sec•Season 3Ep. 2
Red kitchen. 2020. Oil on paper. The view is of a portrait of a slouched, male figure sitting at a table. A corner of the white table occupies the left foreground. On this table are vaguely painted objects and a shiny steel toaster. Most of the figure sits behind this table. He is His lightly dipping in a glass of water. The left side of the background is made up of a cool crimson hue. Then a black vertical stripe separates a block of cool grey behind the man’s head. The bottom right section of ...
Dec 17, 2021•40 sec•Season 3Ep. 1
The Return Home 2019 Acrylic on Canvas 16” x 40” This long, narrow abstract painting is done on canvas and rests in landscape orientation. The paint in this piece envelopes the entirety of the canvas in a soft, water-like meld of purple, blue and indigo. The top corners of the piece are darker blue and lightens a bit towards the center. Light purple paint reached up from the bottom of the painting and blends with the rest of the piece. In the bottom lower left of the piece and into the center, w...
Nov 01, 2021•33 sec•Season 2Ep. 8
When I Was Young 2021 Acrylic on Canvas 16” x 40” It is an abstract piece done on canvas. From the center of the work spreads deep, rich purple tones that blend into the lighter purple at the outer edges of the canvas. Peeking from behind the purples is a light blue however muted by the thinly brushed purple paint over it. Patches of a clear, cool blue, light pink, and aquamarine have been made in strokes around the canvas. The technique used to blend the pink, purple, and blue in the background...
Nov 01, 2021•30 sec•Season 2Ep. 7
Ice Castles 2021 Acrylic on Canvas 30” x 24” It is an abstract piece done on canvas. The background of the canvas is completely absorbed in a beautiful blend of blue and purple. Although these colors are the primary tones, differences in color cover the canvas in cooler shades of blue, purple, and just a bit of white. The variations of blue and purple-ish tones in the background and blending technique used to lay the paint creates an appearance almost like water or ice reflecting the environment...
Nov 01, 2021•37 sec•Season 2Ep. 6
You Are Not Lost 2021 Acrylic on Canvas 24” x 24” Shades of dark teal and warm gray make up the background of this square abstract painting. Small blotches of a rusty red paint spread randomly around the piece fading into the dark background. In some spots, the darker gray paint has been watered down and drips and trails towards the bottom of the painting. Peeking from behind the darker tones is a watered down mix of teal and lavender-colored purple; a color that makes small reappearances throug...
Nov 01, 2021•30 sec•Season 2Ep. 5
Cities of Gold 2018 Acrylic on Canvas 36” x 12” This long, narrow painting is in portrait orientation on canvas. It is primarily deep indigo colored paint with thinned brushstrokes of dark purple and dark blue with patches of gold paint scattered around the canvas. We can see the underpainting on this piece peeking through with teal from behind the darker tones. Sparse, soft patches of light blue seem to shine through from the bottom layer of the painting.
Nov 01, 2021•30 sec•Season 2Ep. 4
Mount Desert Island Nights 2021 Acrylic on Canvas 12” x 16” The entirety of the canvas is covered in a deep, rich purple blended in small areas with a lighter purple paint. This creates a slight differentiation in color in the background, giving it a shadowy appearance. Deliberate patches of light orange and Payne’s gray are strewn around the painting.
Nov 01, 2021•24 sec•Season 2Ep. 3
Fantasia 2020 Acrylic on Canvas 30” x 30” This square, abstract painting is primarily aquamarine, blue, and light green. The light blue in the top third of the canvas covers the canvas in a thin layer. Over the top, in the same color, is thicker paint applied in a way that leaves small dots and peaks of paint, rough in texture. From the top left corner of the piece, light blue and aquamarine paint appear in the form of soft brush strokes going toward the center. In some spots, the paint drips an...
Nov 01, 2021•45 sec•Season 2Ep. 2
Monday Morning 2021 Acrylic on Canvas 12” x 16” This abstract piece is brushy in texture, composed of a blend of purple, pink, aquamarine, and a golden yellow. The pink, although light in color, makes up the general center of the piece with the purple blending into the background at the top of the canvas. Mimicking the soft transition from early evening to sunset, with a stroke of shiny gold cutting through the pink paint. The aquamarine pulls faintly in from the lower left of the canvas, fading...
Nov 01, 2021•38 sec•Season 2Ep. 1
Trapped in the Darkness Michael Freeman 2019 Acrylic on canvas 30 x 40 in It is an abstract piece done on canvas. Michael’s work is created with a technique called pour painting in which the artist mixes the colors in a cup beforehand, and instead of using a brush, pours the paint over the canvas. The canvas is in landscape orientation and entirely covered by paint. The paint envelopes the canvas in a rippling combination of white, light gray, dark gray, a coppery metallic and a shiny gold color...
Oct 14, 2021•54 sec•Season 1Ep. 7
Untitled Michael Freeman 2021 Acrylic on Canvas, 16 x 20 This abstract piece is primarily Light tan in color with a mix of black light gray and reddish brown. The colors, that were poured over the canvas, are definitive on the right side of the piece swirling together in thin lines. Moving towards the left side of the painting, the colors begin to blend more and appear brushy and texture. In the section the paint appears dominantly light gray.
Oct 14, 2021•27 sec•Season 1Ep. 6
Untitled Michael Freeman 2019 Acrylic on Canvas 16 x 20 This abstract pour painting is primarily a brilliant red color with light gray, rich dark purple, and black swirling in tight patterns around the piece. The flow of the paint seems to travel from the left of the piece to the right semicolon however, some of the colors swirl in vertical patterns. The overall piece has a copperish tone to it and hints of a very light peachy pink can be seen in small spots throughout the painting....
Oct 14, 2021•27 sec•Season 1Ep. 5
Sea Life 2019 Acrylic on Canvas 20x20 This abstract pour painting is primarily a rich blue color with red, pink, black, white and turquoise swirling around the canvas. In both the center of the piece and bottom left corner, the paint swirls in tight, fine lines. In the top left and right corners the paint flows more open and freely. The contrast of tight swirls and free flowing paint creates the feeling of underwater movement.
Oct 14, 2021•30 sec•Season 1Ep. 4
Purple Haze Michael Freeman 2021 Acrylic on Canvas, 24x30 This abstract piece is primarily red and a muted purple. Also present in the background are hints of various light blues, oranges, and white. The top layer of the painting has white, black, and bright orange dripped on top with 2 different sizes of glitter spread across the canvas. When shown under a black light, the orange paint and glitter glow brightly and reveal a more minimalistic abstract piece.
Oct 14, 2021•30 sec•Season 1Ep. 3
