ABOUT
Inside the mind of Melissa J. Leslie Quinones
FILMED BY: Benjamin Koppin/Nathan Mielke EDITED BY: Daniel Quinones/Melissa Leslie/Dave Euson
Melissa was born in Indiana, from an Irish and German father and Filipino, Japanese, Italian and Spanish mother.
Although she grew up in Indiana, she truly began her artistic career in San Francisco. She currently lives in
Los Angeles and has thrived and grown as an artist in this vibrant community.
Melissa has exhibited in galleries such as the 111 Minna, NOHO Gallery and The Artery. She has also shown
and painted live at pop-up events for clubs and openings such as Cannibal Flower, Tiny Stage, Space Gallery,
Sullen Art Show, The Light Gallery, Club Six, Takeuchi Gallery, The Abbey, The Conga Room LA Live and more.
She also collaborated in signature series projects with brands such as Hart and Huntington, Sullen, Chester
Bennington of Linkin Park, Metal Mulisha, Carey Hart etc.
Melissa's early years were drenched in interests in R&B and flowed into 70's music and neo-soul. A connection of
soulful passion, liberation and symbolism are interweaved in her works and have deeper humanitarian undertones.
The inspiration for her work has morphed from bright bold colors to surreal collages of world disasters and
currently into muted women with serious underlying issues. Her recent pieces embodies a spiritual reflection
that acts like a journal of visual poetry.
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Melissa J. Leslie Quinones
FILMED BY: Alberto Portillo EDITED BY: Daniel Quinones/Melissa Leslie/Kytia L'amour ANIMATION BY: Jerrell Conner
"Allegorical Solitude Series"
FILMED BY: Melissa Leslies EDITED BY: Daniel Quinones/Melissa Leslie
Creating art is my therapy to record my ideas, past experiences and the inner workings of my reflection process. On the canvas I am able to take a step back from myemotions to contemplate my ethics and repave the ruts of past thought patterns. While much of my work points back to my controversial beliefs, I remain honest. I understand and have experienced offended viewers, I always enjoy sincere questions. I have learned so much about myself over the past decade and I think my art reflects that spiritual enlightenment and growth of immediate reaction to a calmer response.
Artist Statement
PRESS:
Leslie has shown and painted live at pop-up events for clubs and openings such as Cannibal Flower, Tiny Stage, Space Gallery, Sullen Art Show, The Light Gallery, Club Six, Takeuchi Gallery, The Abbey, The Conga Room LA Live, 111 Minna, NOHO Gallery and The Artery. Publications: Art Revolution Taipei, Juxtapoz, Visionary Artistry Magazine, VIP Room magazine, Turbocity, Sun Studio City, Soulfare, Revolver Magazine, Proper Knowledge Radio, Kytia Lamour Blog, Ja'dore Magazine, Infinity Nights, G3 All Access, Daily News, Cultural Instincts, Create Magazine, Artrom Italy, New Ocean Media, Art LA Now, Aesthetics Now.