Pathways

Gold Coast artist Melissa Bristow has always been a creative person, painting and drawing fantasy scenes from a young age. After studying graphic design by hand, Melissa moved onto digital art and eventually discovered a preference for mixed media. 

After experiencing domestic violence and supporting her son through self-harm and suicide attempts, life is now moving on to brighter beginnings for Melissa. She has found time to be creative - writing, Latin dancing, pursuing photography, and painting again consistently.

Follow Melissa on Instagram.

'Pathways' tells a visual story of progress; from walking on eggshells to dancing in the sand. Initially, you can see each step leaving behind a mosaic of cracks and fragments, crushed with tentative weight. The atmosphere is tense with the silence of unspoken things. Yet, as the footprints progress into a new pathway, the scene opens into warmth - golden sand; sun-drenched and soft. These are the same feet as before, but now they are mid-motion - lifted with joy. Peace of mind and freedom at last.