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Melissa S Zane Studios LLC
  • Home
  • Illuminated Trees
  • Botanical Art
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Melissa S. Zane

CONTEMPORARY BOTANICAL ARTIST

Contemporary Botanical ART & HIGH RELIEF ILLUMINATED TREES

BIOGRAPHY

  Melissa S. Zane is a contemporary botanical artist creating expressive, nature-inspired paintings and high-relief illuminated tree works. Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, she creates original acrylic paintings exploring light, texture, color, and organic form. A native of Lancaster County, Zane holds an MFA from the Academy of Art University and a BFA from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Her work has been exhibited nationally and recognized through juried exhibitions and publications.

ARTIST STATEMENT

 Design in nature is the foundation of my artistic inspiration. I am drawn to the vibrant colors of a flower, the contrast of textures revealed in black and white, the way sunlight dances across a petal, and the unexpected shadows created by the delicate structures within a plant. The twisting of branches, the weathered burls of an old tree trunk, and the graceful curl of a single leaf all contain a quiet magic that I strive to capture.


I often photograph the natural elements that inspire me, building an extensive archive of reference imagery that serves as a starting point rather than a blueprint. My work is not intended to be a purely realistic representation of nature, but rather a synthesis of observation and imagination—where organic forms are transformed through artistic interpretation.


Working primarily in large-scale acrylic on canvas, I create contemporary botanical paintings and high-relief works that explore the relationship between light, texture, pattern, and form. My Illuminated Trees series reflects my fascination with the resilience and interconnectedness of the natural world, using dimensional surfaces and metallic finishes to capture the movement of light and the emotional presence of trees.


My creative process begins by establishing a foundation of color and atmosphere, followed by layers of acrylic, texture, shadow, and detail. The work evolves intuitively, with each brushstroke revealing new possibilities. Through my paintings, I invite viewers to pause, look beyond the familiar, and experience the beauty, complexity, and quiet wonder found within nature.

Perspectives Series: Nasturtium

Contemporary Botanical Art, Perspectives Series: Nasturtium

 by Melissa S. Zane

High-Relief Acrylic on Canvas

48” W × 48” H × 1.5” D

2026

ILLUMINATED ASPEN FOREST

by Melissa S. Zane

High-Relief Acrylic on Canvas

24” W × 48” H × 1.5” D

2026

COMING SOON


I've always been drawn to aspen trees because they remind me that things aren't always what they seem. What appears to be a grove of separate trees is actually a single living organism connected underground by a shared root system. That idea inspired this piece—a reflection on our own unseen connections and the quiet strength we find in one another.

Sea Holly Nectar

Contemporary Botanical Painting, Sea Holly Nectar

by Melissa S. Zane

High-Relief Acrylic on Canvas

48” W × 48” H × 1.5” D

2025

Illuminated Oak Tree II

Contemporary Botanical Art, High-Relief Illuminated Tree

 by Melissa S. Zane

High-Relief Acrylic on Canvas

12” W × 36” H × 1.5” D

2026

Illuminated Foliage Tree III

Contemporary Botanical Art, High-Relief Illuminated Tree

by Melissa S. Zane

High-Relief Acrylic on Canvas

12” W × 36” H × 1.5” D

2026

Koi Among The Lilies

Contemporary Botanical Art, Water Lilies

 by Melissa S. Zane

High-Relief Acrylic on Canvas

48” W × 24” H × 1.5” D

2026

Japanese Cobra Lily

Contemporary Botanical Art, Japanese Cobra Lily

 by Melissa S. Zane 

High-Relief Acrylic on Canvas

12” W × 36” H × 1.5” D

2024

Illuminated Aspen Trees

 by Melissa S. Zane  

High-Relief Acrylic on Canvas

12” W × 24” H × 1.5” D

2025

Selected for TREE II: Breath of Humanity, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, 2026

Recognition: Bronze Award Winner, Vision International Juried Competition,
ArtAscent Art & Literature Magazine, 2026


I've always been drawn to aspen trees because they remind me that things aren't always what they seem. What appears to be a grove of separate trees is actually a single living organism connected underground by a shared root system. That idea inspired this piece—a reflection on our own unseen connections and the quiet strength we find in one another.

Poppies

Contemporary Botanical Painting, Poppies

  by Melissa S. Zane  

Acrylic on Canvas

60” W × 48” H × 1.5” D

2024

Recognition: Bronze Award Winner, Vision International Juried Competition
ArtAscent Art & Literature Magazine, 2026

Illuminated Sweetgum Tree

  by Melissa S. Zane  

High-Relief Acrylic on Canvas

24” W × 48” H × 1.5” D

2025

Illuminated Oak Tree

Contemporary Botanical Art, High-Relief Illuminated Tree

 by Melissa S. Zane  

High-Relief Acrylic on Canvas

20” W × 20” H × 1.5” D

2026 

Recognition: Bronze Award Winner, Vision International Juried Competition
ArtAscent Art & Literature Magazine, 2026

The Gilded Lotus

Contemporary Botanical Painting, The Gilded Lotus

 by Melissa S. Zane  

High-Relief Acrylic on Canvas

36” W × 36” H × 1.5” D

2025

Recognition: Bronze Award Winner, Vision International Juried Competition
ArtAscent Art & Literature Magazine, 2026

MELISSA S. Zane

EDUCATION

  •  Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown, Pennsylvania

ARTIST RESIDENCY

  • 2024–Present — Artist in Residence, Lancaster Art Vault, Lancaster, Pennsylvania Selected 

SELECT ART FAIRS

  • 2026 — Spectrum Chicago Art Fair, The Mart, Chicago, Illinois

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

  • 2026 — Quiet Abundance | Lancaster Art Vault, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
  • 2026 — Solo Artist Exhibition | Cultural Center Art Gallery, Willow Valley Communities, Willow Street, Pennsylvania
  • 2025 — Nature Magnified | Lancaster Art Vault, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

SELECTED GROUP & JURIED EXHIBITIONS

  • 2026 — TREE II: Breath of Humanity, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Portland, Oregon
  • 2026 — Exhibition in the Lower Rotunda, Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
  • 2025 — VIVID: Annual National Juried Exhibition of Vibrant, Bold & Loud Artworks,
    d'Art Center, Norfolk, Virginia
  • 2025 — 6th Floral & Botanical Juried Art Contest, Gallery 4 Percent (Award Winner)
  • 2023 — Night Trees, MH Art Gallery, Marietta, Pennsylvania
  • 2023 — Nature Magnified, David Lyall Gallery, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

AWARDS & HONORS

  •  2026 — Bronze Award | Vision International Juried Competition, ArtAscent Art & Literature Magazine
  • 2025 — Award Winner, 6th Floral & Botanical Juried Art Contest | Gallery 4 Percent
  • 2025 — Selected Artist | VIVID: Annual National Juried Exhibition of Vibrant, Bold & Loud Artworks

PUBLICATIONS & PRESS

  • 2026 — Featured Interview | CanvasRebel
  • 2026 — Featured Artist Profile | ArtAscent Art & Literature Magazine
  • 2025 — Featured Artist | FIG Lancaster Magazine

ARTIST TALKS & DEMONSTRATIONS

  • 2026 — Artist Talk and Demonstration | Cultural Center Art Gallery, Willow Valley Communities, Willow Street, Pennsylvania
  • 2026 — Artist Talk and Demonstration | Lancaster Art Vault, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

COLLECTIONS

  •  Private Collections throughout the United States and the United Kingdom

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  •  2026 — Bronze Award, Vision International Juried Competition, ArtAscent Art & Literature Magazine
  • 2026 — Featured Artist Profile, ArtAscent Art & Literature Magazine
  • 2026 — Featured Interview, CanvasRebel Magazine
  • 2026 — Featured Artist, FIG Lancaster Magazine (September 2026 Issue)
  • 2025 — Award Winner, 6th Floral & Botanical Juried Art Contest, Gallery 4 Percent
  • 2025 — Selected Artist, VIVID: Annual National Juried Exhibition of Vibrant, Bold & Loud Artworks, d’Art Center, Norfolk, Virginia
  • 2024–Present — Artist in Residence, Lancaster Art Vault, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
  • 2026 — Artist Talk & Demonstration Presentations, Lancaster Art Vault and
    Cultural Center Art Gallery, Willow Valley Communities

CONtACT

MELISSA S. ZANE

 Contemporary Botanical Artist


Melissa S. Zane Studios LLC

Email: mszane@comcast.net

Phone: +1-717-392-9011


Studio Location

Lancaster Art Vault

100 North Queen Street

Lancaster, PA, USA


Social Media

Instagram: @MelissaSZaneArtist

Facebook: @MelissaSZaneArtist

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melissazane/

Melissa S. Zane

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