Melva Riley: Fine Artist

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Melva's Biography
Animals have always been an important part of Melva Riley’s life. Growing up in a beach community limited her communication with farm animals, especially horses. So, she spent hours and hours drawing and imagining them. Moving to the country brought her closer to horses and all the animal life she loved. She continues to draw and paint them.

Melva studied art and agriculture. She later decided to pursue studies in commercial art and became a professional designer. She and her husband raised show horses for many years.

In recent years she also enjoyed plein air painting and has added landscape paintings to her collection.

Currently based in San Diego’s east county, she has been represented by a number of galleries including The Artist’s Gallery (La Jolla, CA), The Leanin’ Tree Gallery (Alpine, CA), and The Wagner Gallery (Del Mar, CA).

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"There are many artistic talents in the world, each with his or her own way of communicating emotions and ideas. It’s not surprising to me that I grew from a child who loved animals and drawing to an artist whose primary inspiration is the mystery and beauty of those creatures.

I have always had a strong connection to nature and animals and I constantly marvel at their complexity. The work of capturing the essence of my subjects inspires, challenges and sometimes frustrates me.

My work can be found in Japan, France and Italy as well as across the United States. The success of my sales and commissioned works drives my enthusiasm for sharing my devotion to my subjects."

- Melva Riley