My name is Mélissa Henri, also known as Mélisss and I am a multidisciplinary artist based in Shawinigan.
From a very young age, I was immersed in the arts thanks to my father, a musician and sketch artist, who passed on to me a deep love for music and visual arts. While music became a natural passion, drawing emerged as a defining activity during my teenage years.
Over time, I sought to express myself more fully, particularly through portraits, which became a central theme in my creative explorations.
True to my early passions, I pursued four years of classical piano, vocal, and flute training, later teaching myself guitar to accompany my singing. During this period, I also developed a strong interest in psychology and began painting, allowing me to further expand my creative horizons.
A pivotal moment in my artistic journey came in January 2020 when I met Steve Huard, a local painter whose unique approach and contagious passion profoundly inspired me. Through a short painting course, Steve not only introduced me to the world of painting but also shared a way of viewing creativity as a dialogue with values, textures, and emotions.
Steve’s artistic style—a subtle blend of neutral tones and evocative, raw visual narratives—deeply resonated with me. This experience became a catalyst that propelled me into painting with new enthusiasm and dedication.
Since then, I’ve explored a variety of techniques, infusing my work with bold contrasts, dynamic layers, and a richness that reflects the depth of my creative process.
Over the years, I’ve also enjoyed collaborating with local partners on projects ranging from visual communication to design. However, my main focus remains on painting and the visual arts, where I continuously strive to push boundaries and create authentic and impactful works.
My pieces are a reflection of my artistic journey—unique, daring, colorful, and generous. Each painting is conceived like a piece of music, attuned to an internal rhythm and harmony.
Through dynamic movements, overlapping layers, and vibrant contrasts, my art conveys both structure and spontaneity. This balance between reality and impressionism brings about moments of surprise and exploration, inviting viewers into a visual and emotional experience that lingers.
