Marge Melchionda at the source of her inspiration, Gila Bend Painted Rock Petroglyph Site.

As a Geology student, Earth Science teacher and avid hiker and traveler, I have been collecting rock samples and topographic maps throughout my adult life. I incorporate these materials with the inspiration of Native American culture and the natural beauty of the Southwest, to create my art.

I paint with acrylics on stone, topographic maps and canvas, as well as interior walls.

Petroglyphs are the inspiration for my "Rock Art". I paint on gray shale, as well as yellow, red and pink striated sandstone slabs, all native to the Southwest. Petroglyphs are prehistoric symbolic pictures made by abrading or etching a rock surface. They have been found worldwide, and are common in the southwest United States. Many of the symbols are representative of human figures, animals, plants and celestial bodies. Fortunately for me, my monogram signature "MMM", is a petroglyphic symbol which represents mountains!
Note: To learn more about Petroglyphs, and to see some local examples, visit my "links" page.
To view my Petroglyphs, visit my Gallery.

Native American "Ledger Art" is the inspiration for my Topographic Map Art. I paint directly on the topographic map, using features of the map to enhance the subject I have chosen to paint on it. The term "Ledger" Art is used to describe the colorful narrative drawings and paintings done by Plains Indians on railroad ledger paper during the late 19th Century. I have substituted topographic maps for the railroad ledger paper.

Collecting for petroglyphs.

Most of my Canvas Art has been inspired by the architecture, flora and fauna of the Southwest United States. When you visit my Gallery, you will see that I frequently incorporate eclipses, various phases of the moon and other celestial phenomena into my canvas painting. Each painting is a unique work of Art that can be hung, framed or unframed. In most cases, I leave the framing to the buyer. However, occasionally I come across a unique frame which inspires my subject. Such is the case with my "Lizard". I acquired its ornate Mexican frame at an East Hampton Estate Sale last summer. The frame had since been on my "to do" pile, until my husband recently returned from SE Asia where he photographed the perfect subject for it.
To view my Canvas Art, visit my Gallery.

My Nursery and Children's Room Art consists of both Canvases and Interior Wall Murals which have been inspired by the little occupants' layette or bed linens.
To view my Nursery and Children's Rooms Art, visit my Gallery.

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