Take Five: Melissa Belanger’s Halloween Art with a Wink

Describing her work as “Halloween with a wink,” Melissa Belanger brings forth the whimsical Halloween spirit in her imaginative acrylic paintings that we often associate with childhood memories and celebrations. From paintings of masked young girls and winking witches to black cats and flying bats, the Midwestern artist, originally from Wisconsin, encapsulates what she often describes as a “cheerful simplicity with a retro modern edge.” The scope of her work doesn’t end on Halloween art, however, despite it being one of her favorite holidays. In fact, one might say that this is merely only where it all begins.

Belanger spends most of the year painting the tales of today’s modern woman with references to the small town life and historical context, as well as crafting the occasional hand sculpted figurine adorned in vintage objects. Inspired by the small river town that she currently resides in, it comes as no surprise that many of her story-infused projects have been featured on HGTV as well as displayed in General Mills corporate offices. After all, who wouldn’t want to be reminded of children’s storybooks or a bestselling romance novel — an element that many of her paintings possess.

Already working on a new project, her next endeavor doesn’t stray too far away from her ongoing themes.

“Recently, I’ve been influenced by kitschy ’60s Harlequin art, cocktail culture, and whatever strange book I happen to be listening to on Audible while I am painting,” she says.

Despite her busy schedule, Belanger took time out from painting to talk to GALO about her fascination with Halloween, her experience at this year’s Ghoultide Gathering, and why her witches can be found winking with a martini in hand.

Haunted Cul de Sac by Melissa Belanger. Photo Courtesy of: Melissa Belanger.

GALO: I couldn’t help but notice how your Halloween paintings are reminiscent of illustrations that could be found in children’s books — the characters seem friendly, whimsical, mischievous and happy. Was that perhaps your intention when creating your Halloween art — for it to remind the viewer of childhood storybooks, without the focus on terror but rather on innocence and playfulness? In other words, where did the inspiration come from for these and what feelings do you hope they ignite within the viewer?

Melissa Belanger: Like most artists, my artwork is influenced by what I know. The mid-century modern design that I remember (and that my parents detested) from my 1970s childhood appears and reappears in my paintings; reinvented to evoke a contemporary cheerful nostalgia. Viewers can easily see themselves in the wood-paneled bucolic suburbia of my paintings with their vibrant unpredictable color schemes and inhabitant’s knowing sideways grins.

Beware of Young Girls by Melissa Belanger. Photo Courtesy of: Melissa Belanger.

GALO: Not many artists have their own selection of Halloween art, much less ones that are part of a Halloween based festival like the Ghoultide Gathering. From your Fraidy Bats and your Fraidy Cat paintings to your doll renditions of owl scarecrows, the Halloween motifs are many. What do you enjoy in particular about this holiday as an artist?

MB: Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. I love that with Halloween, you get all the good stuff: family, pageantry, gooey treats, a bit of harmless trickery or gore, without the false cheer or sugary sweetness of other holidays. Costumed camaraderie combined with good-spirited naughtiness, mayhem, and mystery is always fun.

This year, I was thrilled to be invited to be an artist at Ghoultide Gathering in Chelsea, MI, as it gave me the opportunity to fully explore my version of Halloween. I was intrigued by the idea of fitting traditional Halloween motifs into my retro modern painting style. Ghoultide Gathering is a venue to showcase the original handmade artwork of some of the premiere Halloween artists nationwide. It was truly an honor to have been included with so many artists that I have long admired. This was the first art show that I’ve participated in that had a “day after Thanksgiving, doorbuster” feel. Dedicated Halloween enthusiasts lined up hours in advance (some even camped out overnight, others had traveled from as far away as Australia) and rushed in at show opening to have the best selection from their favorite artists. As a newcomer to Ghoultide, it was exhilarating to experience the customer’s passion for original Halloween art as well as to note their surprise and delight at my own colorful and unexpected interpretations of their favorite holiday.

Pick Your Poison by artist Melissa Belanger. Photo Courtesy of: Melissa Belanger.

GALO: One painting that stood out to me was the Pick Your Poison piece, with the two witches standing hip to hip, each holding a toxic element in their hand: an apple and poison for the witch on the left, and a martini and bottle for the one on the right. Can you tell us a little more about this particular piece, and whether or not it is a play on the evil Queen from Snow White? Are you perhaps suggesting that in the modern day, Snow White would be tempted by the martini and not the apple? Or maybe, the story in this painting is simply about the poisonous, yet deliciously appetizing temptations dwelling among us?

MB: I don’t know what Snow White would choose (never having been allowed to see the Disney classic because of the witch), but I know I would choose the martini! Pick Your Poison is both a figurative and literal interpretation of a favorite phrase. Many of my paintings have a bit of a cheeky, bad girl duplicity going on in them. The literal interpretation seemed to fit well with the Halloween theme; however, the identical image without the more obvious sinister elements would work equally well with the same title. It is easy to identify with the painting’s theme of women presenting themselves as one person outwardly and secretly longing to be another… Or maybe I just wanted to feel darkly cute and dangerous when I painted it?!

(Left) Night Owls and (right) Fraidy Bats by Melissa Belanger. Photo Courtesy of: Melissa Belanger.

GALO: I noticed that a few of your Halloween paintings have the witch or girl holding a martini, winking or wearing a mask. What are you trying to convey about the modern woman, or dare I say, witch? Is this part of your fascination with “the charm of the small town that you reside in and its proximity to ‘big city’ sophistication?”

MB: I think that I partially addressed this in question number three. Most of us have a secret identity or wish to. Sometimes, it is brought out with alcohol or anonymity or a killer outfit. Part of the allure of Halloween is to safely experiment with being your other self openly for an evening. Reinvention is both scarily appealing and sanctioned. I also have an affection for witches, as the women I have met who would possibly historically (and having nothing to do with magic) have been termed witches, are some of my favorite people. To me, “witch” represents an independent woman unencumbered by social niceties and expectations.

Frenchie Halloween by Melissa Belanger. Photo Courtesy of: Melissa Belanger.

GALO: You’ve said that you have always been inspired by objects with a past, and often used vintage items in your sculptural pieces. Since then, you have been doing more 2-D art than 3-D. Do you find yourself incorporating old objects into your paintings as well?

MB: My paintings are inspired and informed by my collections and past sculptures. My studio has become a repository of forgotten toys, dime store books, obsolete objects, gaudy textiles, and shiny eye candy. Their shapes, colors, and patinas make my artsy heart sing! Seldom do I make a “rough sketch,” instead my paintings often evolve in reverse. The “rough draft” being a small sculpture or figure made previously, or objects from my collections. These become paper cut-out shapes, which move around and are traced onto a textured canvas until they become a pleasing composition, and then the painting begins. The patterns are layered in as the figures start making demands for dress designs and animal companions. Paint is applied generously, repeatedly and precisely until the effect is pleasing and the painting has decided to be finished.

Pictured: Artist Melissa Belanger with her Halloween art. Photo Courtesy of Melissa Belanger.

For more information concerning Melissa Belanger’s art please visit http://melissabelanger.com. Belanger’s paintings can also be purchased via her Esty store as well as her Facebook page.