Melinda Cootsona Studios

I am an artist now living in the beautiful Coachella Valley of Southern California. I was born and raised in Silicon Valley and am a California girl through and through. Inspired by the California landscape, colors, and light, I look to capture its essence in much of my work.

Thick, gooey oil paint is my medium, and my work is created by applying layers of shapes, colors, and textures of paint to the canvas over a period of days and weeks.  I also now incorporate cold wax medium into much of my work to create rich history, texture and transparency.

I have been teaching painting to students of all levels for over 22+ years. My goal is to inspire students to find their own voice, and to build their  confidence in the creative process. I am known for pulling out the strengths and individual voice of each student, whether in workshops or online.