Melissa Parhm
Baby Blue Featured in the De Young Opening 2023-2024
Featured in the de Young Open Exhibit “On the Edge,” 2020-2021
Melissa Parhm is a classically trained artist whose work spans oil, watercolor, metalpoint, fiber, sculpture, and fresco restoration. Her practice is a profound investigation into the intersections of material alchemy, ancestral lineage, and Sentient Topography, seeing the land and its subjects as a living archive.
Utilizing pre-graphite mediums like silverpoint, and hand-foraged pigments, Melissa maps the dialogue between the mineral and floral history of the earth and the spiritual imprint of its guardians. From the subterranean networks of root systems to the "Sacred Domestic" of still life, her work functions as a responsive surface where light, matter, and the human spirit converge. It is a commitment to honoring the environment as a conscious participant in the creative act, inviting reverence for the unseen communication held within the soil, the stone, and all sentient life.
“Melissa Parhm is a truly gifted artist. Her painting of Mt. Kailash brings a powerful sense of magic and sacredness into my home, allowing me to feel transported. Gazing at it makes me feel that I am standing right at the foothill of one of the holiest sites on Earth." Anam Thubten Rinpoche, Spiritual director of the Dharmata Foundation
Melissa Parhm
My pieces offer viewers a connection to this elemental world, inviting a sense of reverence and contemplation. They serve as a grounding presence, a source of quiet energy in a dynamic world. Whether it's the subtle shift of light on a silverpoint surface or the rich depth of color and light reflection in the oil painting, my art provides a space for reflection and a reminder of the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. I am passionate about collaborating with clients to realize their unique visions, creating pieces that resonate deeply and bring a lasting sense of beauty and meaning into their lives.