Melissa Benedek is a native New Yorker who grew up around the vibrant art world of SoHo, where her father owned an art gallery in New York City.  Surrounded by a wide range of artistic styles and creative voices, she developed an early appreciation for visual expression. At age 13, she began studying at the Art Students League, where art quickly became both an outlet and a meaningful space she deeply connected with.

 

Melissa earned her B.A. in the arts and continued her studies in New York City as well as at Parsons School of Design. She launched her professional career as a successful buyer for women’s jewelry before starting her own jewelry design business, gaining recognition among celebrities and high-profile clients.

 

Her focus today is devoted entirely to her artwork. As a contemporary artist working within abstract expressionism, Melissa creates pieces guided by intuition, emotion, and her signature sensitivity to color and texture. Her work features dynamic, color combinations and brushstrokes that blend, intersect, and evolve into rhythmic compositions. She believes her paintings communicate in their own language, one spoken through movement, energy, and chromatic relationships.

 

In addition to her studio practice, Melissa leads workshops on abstract expressionism, focusing on intuitive creation at various art centers, where she encourages participants to explore color, movement, and personal expression.

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Melissa’s work has been featured in various publications, and she has been commissioned for numerous projects, including a piece for an ABC News anchor in New York City. She continues to exhibit in galleries and art fairs, including the Hamptons Fine Art Fair.