Name: Melissa Forman
Nickname:
I’ve never been much of a nickname person, but sometimes my boyfriend refers to me as “Melly-Mel”
Sign: Aquarius

Favorite:
Cookie: Snickerdoodle
Scent: that sweet, sugary smell when you walk into an ice cream parlor
Color: Black

Q1. If you could go anywhere in time where would it be and why?
A1. How do I choose? I’d want to check out so many! I think I’d start with the very beginning of life and see what the deal with that was. Then I’d want to check out the beginnings of human civilization, and then I’d check out Jesus and see what the truth was about him. Oh, and I’d need to see if Atlantis was real. Then I’d want to visit Stonehenge and the Pyramids to see if aliens really helped out with those. And so on and so on. I could know the answers to every question we’ve ever had about the past.

Q2. What fun fact about yourself is most shocking?
A2. I met Ron Jeremy at a party once and listened to him play classical piano.

Q3. Most exciting moment of your life thus far?
A3. I think it would have to be finding my boyfriend and falling in love. There’s nothing better than finding the person you’re meant to be with.

Q4. Do you have a lucky charm?
A4. No, but I’ve had a pretty unlucky year, so I need to start working on this.

Q5. If your artwork was a cereal, which one would it be and why?
A5. Well, this is a pretty cheesy analogy, but I’d say it would be Life cereal because each painting describes my own life and experiences. And there’s some sweetness to them, without being fruity. 😉

Q6. If you were in Willy Wonka’s factory, what would you be looking forward to the most.
A6. Well, eating as much candy as I could of course! I would not be looking forward to riding on that gondola thing. That thing was crazy freaky.

Q7. What do you miss most about being a kid? What’s the best thing about being an adult?
A7. I miss the fun and freedom of being a kid, long summer days with no obligations and the endless possibilities of living in my imagination. The best thing about being an adult is having a love and appreciation for things I didn’t understand as a kid.

Q8. First show (music) did you ever go to?
A8. Honestly, the first one I can remember is Sesame Street Live when I was 5, but that probably doesn’t count. I remember going to see the band Joan of Arc in Cleveland when I was in high school.

Q9. If you knew when the world was going to freeze for ten minutes, what would you plan to do in those 10mins?
A9. Ok, so I’m probably spending too much time analyzing this question. So does it mean that time is frozen for ten minutes and I can do whatever I want while time waits for me? Or does it mean that the entire world is frozen in ice for 10 minutes? Or does it mean the world will end in 10 minutes and all humans will die in a second Ice Age and I have to figure out how to spend those last few minutes? The best option I see out of those three would be that time is frozen for 10 minutes and I have a few free minutes to do what I want while the rest of world waits in time limbo. That being the case, and I’m sure this is very anticlimactic, but I’d probably just take a nap. 😉

Q10. What animal trait do you wish to possess?
A10. Flight. Or maybe being able to breathe underwater

After taking a few art classes all I can think is that Melissa Forman captures the classic idea of Venus, even if she is not aware of doing so. Painting beautiful women, their regal and loving presence amongst flora and fauna explains the relationship of the potential goddess. While she paints women that look out to us, it is obvious that not only the viewer but their surrounding world is completely focused on this possible Venus. Pulling from centuries ago and using photographs from the present she blends the two worlds together into this modern day version of the idealized woman.

Please visit Melissa Forman’s website to view more of her work.