MELISSA RESTUCCIA'S GRAY CAT RESTORATION
Creativity abounds in painting, printmaking, statue restoration and art instruction.
For 25 years Melissa has been delivering a high achieving visual arts program in various public schools . Her home studio opened nearly ten years ago allowing her to teach privately in her spare time and develop a body of personal works. Melissa works mainly in acrylics on canvas but also has an array of hand printed linocut and intaglio prints. Her paintings focus on crows and winged creatures that illustrate daily musings of the past and present. She is currently exploring themes of whimsical worlds and three-dimensional assemblage elements added to her canvases. Beyond creating original art she restores religious and secular plaster statuary for the Central New York Region.
Be sure to check out her shop for art and vintage items.
WHAT'S NEW ?
I will be at the Front Street Days on June 3rd! Come out to the Street Festival and Celebrate Vestal's 200th Anniversary.
BACHELOR BUTTONS WITH FAN
Acrylic on Canvas with cord
18" x 20" Framed
A still-life from my many collections around my home.
THE FAVORITE
Acrylic on Canvas
500.0018" x 24"
Let's face it Mom and Dad always favored the dog over sister and brother.
INVITING NIGHTTIME IN
Acrylic on Canvas with Zipper
20" x10". 400.00
KOOKABURRA WITH PITCHERS
Acrylic on Canvas (Framed)
24"x 18" 550.00
GUN SAFETY
Acrylic on Canvas with Yarn
500.00 12" x16"
This piece has had very mixed reviews. My inspiration came from fiber artists that "Knit bomb". I imagine that this is the only really "safe gun"....one that is painted and appears to be made of Grandma's yarn.
TIME REVEALED
Acrylic on Canvas with Zipper (Maple Floater Frame)
600.00. 30" x15"
CATOMIC
Acrylic on Canvas with Vintage cord
SOLD 18" x 24"
ORCHID IN WINTER
Acrylic on Canvas
400.00 14" x18"
PAINTINGS FROM 2015-2018
Request pricing and availability
These paintings can be viewed and purchased by appointment.
STATUARY REPAIR
Inquire about my restoration of plaster statuary.
I work on mainly plaster based statues/ indoor statues of all sizes. I can be reached at restuccia2@hotmail.com for quotes. (Pictures included with inquiries are helpful).
PRINTS-LINOCUT AND "OTHER"
Many of my original prints of crows, cats and butterflies/moths are at Black Cat Gallery in Owego or I can customize a print for you. (Pricing 6.00-45.00)
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MY JOURNEY WITH BREAST CANCER
I hope that as you view the works the crows will talk to you and you will talk to your friends about the works and perhaps the whispers of my winged beauties will create a lasting memory for you as well. Enjoy the pieces.
INTRODUCTION: THE STATIONS OF MY CANCER
On April 25th, 2019 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The diagnosis caught me completely unaware (no family history of any types of cancer). I started this series as a way to start a dialogue about cancer. I used my background as a Catholic statue restorationist to develop the "structure" for this series based on the Stations of the Cross and Christ's steps to the crucifixion. Christ's journey of suffering mirrors our own trials as we travel our personal paths. I finish all fourteen stations with the final station being my cure...January 2021.
SHE IS SENTENCED
Station 1: " She is Sentenced" (Jesus is Condemned to Death) A routine mammogram lead to an ultrasound which led to a misdirection that led to a cancerous tumor. The doctor broke the news of my cancer with a series of 9th grade biology diagrams. I was astounded to know my milk glands were broccoli trees. I left my appointment stunned and crying.
SHE TAKES HER CANCER
Station 2: "She Takes Her Cancer". (Christ Takes the Cross). I was handed a cheerful hot pink envelope with my biopsy reports, a bandaged breast and little more...
HER FIRST FALL
Station 3: Her First Fall (Jesus Falls for the First Time) depicts that moment when you have to tell your friends and family you have cancer. The first reaction after you break the news to people is that they ask, “Are you ok?” And you really don’t know at that point...”Am I ok?” And then you cry some more.
HER BLESSED SPOUSE
HER SECOND FALL
Station 7: Her Second Fall (Jesus Falls the Second Time). This period of doubt creeps in before surgery and reoccurs throughout treatment. Doctors cannot give 100% reassurance that you will be cured and until the tumor is removed follow-up care and treatment is a big unknown. Sometimes a little self pity was needed. Would I lose my hair? Would I need chemo? Would I see my kids graduate, marry, etc.?? The moments of fear and doubt pass but they need to be acknowledged. Cancer doesn't make us automatic heroes.
THE MANY WOMEN
Station 8: ( Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem). As my surgery approached I realized that many women I encountered whether it was at work or at my church knitting prayer shawl circle had personal experiences with cancer. These women shared stories, advice and prayers. I knew I was continuing my journey but these women were my guides and "angels" sent to comfort me.
HER THIRD FALL
Station 9: (Jesus Falls the Third Time). The time came when I began to question whether I would recover quickly or would I face a long arduous recovery? My sense of mortality settled in heavily and I wanted to shake away the fear. I wanted to explore- fly- live more... a trip to New York City. I was weightless for a weekend.
SHE IS STRIPPED
Station 10: (Jesus is Stripped of His Garments). The surgery arrived. I was marked with instructions. A hospital gown replaced my clothing. Blackness and then a hazy trip to my hotel room ensued. Now the cancer was out, would it reveal its secrets?
HER ACCEPTANCE
Station 11: (Jesus is Nailed to the Cross). The genetic testing is sent out and the tumor is examined. The results come back and the alphabet rearranges to form an elaborate code :ER/PR (+), HER 2(-) BRCA1, BRCA 2 ....I am no codebreaker. I am just a woman going into the next step of treatment. I am the one in eight women that will develop some form of breast cancer.
HER CANCER DIES
Station 12: (Jesus Dies on the Cross) I had 30 days of radiation. It was a routine that completed my summer. I would arrive, strip, gown up, arms overhead, hold my breath (the best I could) and laser beams would bounce around me. My summer tan emerged beneath my clothes. I went back to work as if nothing happened.
SHE HEALS
Station 13: (The Body of Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross) The tumor is now gone but cancer has become a part of me. I am not the person I was before this experience. I take a pill daily for the next 5 maybe 10 years that reminds me of my journey. I am humbled.
SHE WAITS
Station 14: (Jesus Lays in the Tomb). I am waiting for the magical 5 year anniversary to mark me as cancer free...until then I wait.
THE 14 STATIONS OF MY CANCER
In February of 2021 I was able to display all 14 completed Stations at the Broome County Arts Council in Binhamton, NY.
ARTIST BIO
Melissa Restuccia
Welcome to my site. I am an active High School Art Instructor. My teaching career has spanned elementary through collegiate level for the past 25 years. I am currently a teacher, painter, printmaker and restorationist. In 2017 I had a one woman show at the Chenango Arts Council in Norwich NY. I currently participate in Member shows and Art Trails through the Broome Arts Council. My statue restoration work spans the Binghamton/Syracuse Region of NY.
