Melwell
LightNews LightNews
banner
melwell.bsky.social
Melwell
@melwell.bsky.social
1.1K followers 1.5K following 4.5K posts
Artist, musician, writer, smartass. #ND
she/her

https://linktr.ee/melwell
Posts Replies Media Videos
melwell.bsky.social
It's tamale season, and I'm gathering my ingredients for a kick-ass batch. These red chiles are going to make a great Chile Colorado sauce.

What recipe am I going to use? It's from my book with Fayne Lutz, "The Traditional Taos Table."

Link in bio.
Dried red chiles in a glass jar.
December 5, 2025 at 3:12 PM
melwell.bsky.social
Ari Melber's holiday flocking to his head with black hair dye makes me even less interested in listening to him than him spitting bars.
A news anchor sits in a TV studio with the U.S. Capitol dome and the Washington Monument visible in the night skyline behind him. A red “Breaking News” banner at the bottom reads “Pentagon Chief Under Fire.” The program’s title bar says “The Beat with Ari Melber.” A small box on the lower right shows an image of Jeffrey Epstein with the text “New Epstein Videos Coming Up” and the MSNBC/MSNOW logo.
December 4, 2025 at 3:20 PM
melwell.bsky.social
Next on my agenda will be putting together a holiday promotion for my cookbook, "The Traditional Taos Table," co-written with award-winning food columnist for The Taos News, Fayne Lutz. Link in bio.
A cozy virtual room designed in the style of a traditional Taos kitchen. The walls are covered in colorful Talavera-style tile patterns in blues, yellows, and earthy tones. A rounded adobe fireplace with a glowing fire sits against the tiled wall, next to a simple wooden chair. Papel picado banners in bright colors hang across the ceiling’s large wooden vigas. A table in the foreground is covered with a vivid floral tablecloth and holds a wooden bowl with a half-sphere lid. At the back of the room, a poster of the cookbook “The Traditional Taos Table” is displayed on the wall with a blue background. To the right, a framed graphic of a red tea kettle adds a modern pop-art touch. Pots and pans hang from a wooden rack on the left, completing the warm, festive, New Mexico kitchen atmosphere.
December 4, 2025 at 2:28 PM
melwell.bsky.social
"Northside," oil on canvas by Melwell, 16x12 – Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
A stylized oil painting of a multilevel adobe pueblo rising in warm peach and tan tones beneath a huge expanse of bright blue sky and towering white clouds. The layered structures feature rounded edges, dark doorways, small windows, and softened geometric forms outlined with expressive brushstrokes. At the top level, a small row of colorful, abstracted figures stands near a vertical pole or chimney. Deep shadows in burgundy, indigo, and purple add contrast within the doorways and crevices. The artist’s signature, “Melwell,” appears in blue on the lower right corner. A stylized oil painting of a traditional multilevel adobe pueblo beneath a vivid blue sky. The buildings are rendered in soft tans, pinks, and grays with dark doorways, small windows, and ladders leaning up to the upper levels. In the lower center stands a small human figure in a pale blue cloak, their face simply suggested with warm tones. Nearby, a white dog is painted in a gesture-like silhouette on a dark patch of ground. A forked wooden support post rises from the lower level, while two rounded horno ovens sit at the right foreground. The forms are outlined with bold, rhythmic brushstrokes, giving the scene a graphic, modern feel. The artist’s signature, “Melwell,” appears in red in the lower left corner.
December 4, 2025 at 11:56 AM
melwell.bsky.social
"Shadow and Sun on the Road," oil on panel by Melwell, 16x20 – Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
An oil painting of a quiet country road winding through thick, shadowed trees. Dappled sunlight breaks through the canopy, creating patches of bright light on the cool gray pavement. On both sides of the road, dense foliage in deep greens and dark browns frames the view. Small wildflowers in yellow, purple, and white dot the grassy edges. In the distance, soft green foothills rise toward a bold, bright blue mountain under a pale, cloud-streaked sky. The brushwork is loose and textured, giving the piece a lively, impressionistic feel.
December 3, 2025 at 12:09 PM
melwell.bsky.social
Decorated my VR reading room for the holidays! 🎄
The tree is up, the star is glowing, and Little Snow Flower is sitting under the branches like it’s waiting to be opened.
If you need a quiet virtual nook, come by.
A cozy virtual room rendered in a VR environment shows a small Christmas tree with a bright yellow star on top and red ornaments spiraling around white garland. At the base of the tree sits a copy of the book Little Snow Flower, with its bright red cover featuring stylized flowers and snowflakes. Behind the tree is a wooden bookshelf partially filled with books and CDs, and farther back hangs a large folk-art tapestry depicting musicians and dancers in traditional clothing. A single blue upholstered chair sits in the corner under exposed wooden ceiling beams, creating a warm, inviting reading-room atmosphere.
December 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
melwell.bsky.social
"Gate" oil on panel by Melwell, 5x7 – Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
A small oil painting depicts an adobe scene in warm pink and peach tones under a bright blue sky. A leafless, dark-trunked tree stands in the center, its branches stretching upward in bold, angular lines. To the right is a green wooden door set into the smooth adobe wall, outlined with accents of turquoise and blue. Rounded mounds of adobe rise around the doorway. On the left side, a simple wooden fence made of two horizontal slats sits against the wall. The style is expressive and slightly abstract, with strong black outlines and simplified shapes.
December 2, 2025 at 3:08 PM
melwell.bsky.social
"Motifs," oil on panel by Melwell, 12x9 – Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
A colorful, symbolic desert painting shows a central figure in a white robe standing with arms outstretched, facing a landscape of blue mountains and a deep night sky with swirling stars. A bright spiral of moonlight descends from the upper right, connecting the moon to the figure. The ground is painted in warm reds, oranges, and yellows, filled with swirling patterns and small symbolic elements. On the left, a black cat stands near a small fire spirit with a human-like face and a floating bowl of flame. Two bare black trees frame the scene on either side. On the right, a crow stands near more swirling plant-like shapes. The painting has a folkloric, mystical feeling, with bold outlines and vibrant colors. The artist’s signature, “Melwell,” appears in the lower right.
December 1, 2025 at 12:17 PM
melwell.bsky.social
Looking for a simple, meaningful holiday gift for a child? Little Snow Flower is my hardcover children’s book — a quiet, cozy winter tale about hope, kindness, and small miracles.
Order here: www.lulu.com/shop/m-elwel...
Looking for a simple, meaningful holiday gift for a child? Little Snow Flower is my hardcover children’s book — a quiet, cozy winter tale about hope, kindness, and small miracles. Order here: https://www.lulu.com/shop/m-elwell-romancito/little-snow-flower/hardcover/product-d79gry.html
December 1, 2025 at 1:26 AM
melwell.bsky.social
I'm working on a book cover and I'm pulling out all my Jungian imagery. The cover is almost done, even if the book has a long way to go.

For more information, contact Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200

Link in bio for website.
A person with short gray hair and glasses is seen from behind, seated at an easel while painting a brightly colored, whimsical scene. Their hand holds a small brush as they work on a vivid canvas featuring a white-robed figure with outstretched arms beneath a swirling moonlit sky, surrounded by stylized trees, animals, and flowing abstract shapes in red, orange, yellow, and blue tones. The setting appears to be a cozy art studio with warm natural light.
November 30, 2025 at 6:57 PM
melwell.bsky.social
"The New Cook," oil on panel by Melwell, 9x12 – Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
Oil painting of a woman standing inside a blue-tiled arched doorway, wearing a white apron and blue dress, her eyes closed and hands shaping a round loaf of dough. Behind her are ristras of chile and garlic, a wooden paddle, two large clay jars, and a small rectangular window. Warm pink and terra-cotta tones fill the walls and floor. The artist’s signature, ‘Melwell,’ appears in the lower right.
November 29, 2025 at 1:52 PM
melwell.bsky.social
"La Malagrada Embrujada," oil on panel by Melwell, 6x6 – Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
An oil painting titled La Malagrada Embrujada depicts an elderly woman in a long, patched dress of dark fabric with red and blue squares, red-and-white striped stockings, and black shoes. She stoops under a large bundle of firewood tied to her back and clutches several red berries or beads in her hands. Her white hair and long nose give her a witchlike air, but her expression is thoughtful rather than menacing. Behind her, bare black trees rise against a burnished golden-brown background, suggesting late autumn or a dreamlike forest. The overall mood is somber, folkloric, and symbolic—an image of endurance, burden, and quiet enchantment.
November 28, 2025 at 11:37 AM
melwell.bsky.social
HBD Mr. Bill! November 28, 1757
A square, richly colored illustration in the style of William Blake’s The Ancient of Days. A muscular, white-haired figure crouches amid swirling red and gold clouds, leaning forward as he extends one arm downward to draw radiant golden lines with a glowing compass. The background burns with fiery light, creating a dramatic halo around the figure. Across the top, large serif text reads “HAPPY BIRTHDAY,” and at the bottom, “WILLIAM BLAKE.”
November 28, 2025 at 11:22 AM
melwell.bsky.social
"Over the High Desert Trail," oil on canvas by Melwell, 24x18 – Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
An expressive oil painting of a New Mexico desert landscape under a dramatic sky. Thick, visible brushstrokes form sweeping layers of blue and white clouds that curve across the upper half of the canvas. Soft blue-green mountains rise in the distance. The midground shows rocky, tan-colored terrain dotted with small shrubs. In the foreground, rounded green desert plants with touches of yellow are painted in bold, rhythmic shapes. The brushwork is loose and energetic, giving the scene a sense of movement. The artist’s signature, “Melwell,” appears in red near the lower left.
November 26, 2025 at 12:22 PM
melwell.bsky.social
"Advancing on Goliath," acrylic on canvas by Melwelll, 30x24 - Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
An abstract painting dominated by large, jagged shapes of deep navy that cut across the canvas like branching shadows. Around these dark forms, vibrant swaths of yellow, orange, and hints of green radiate outward in layered, translucent strokes. The bright colors appear to glow against the dark background, creating the sense of heat or energy pushing up against an encroaching darkness. The brushwork is varied—some areas smooth and blended, others showing textured, directional marks. The overall effect is dynamic and fiery, with sharp contrasts between luminosity and shadow.
November 25, 2025 at 12:47 PM
melwell.bsky.social
"Solitude," oil on linen panel by Melwell, 12x12 – Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
A colorful, expressive landscape painting shows a desert scene under a bright blue sky filled with chunky white clouds. In the foreground, clusters of spiky green desert plants grow among warm red-brown rocks. A twisting dirt path leads the eye toward the background, where large, rounded sandstone mesas rise dramatically. On the left, a tree with pale green tufted branches leans into the scene. The brushstrokes are thick and gestural, giving the whole painting a lively, textured feel. The artist’s signature, “Melwell,” appears near the lower right.
November 24, 2025 at 12:50 PM
melwell.bsky.social
"From the Window Room," oil on panel by Melwell, 8x10 – Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
A small courtyard rendered in a textured, painterly style with thick, visible brushstrokes. The scene shows a light-blue flagstone walkway leading to a tan stucco building with blue trim. Two blue ceramic pots sit in the foreground on either side of the walkway. To the left, a vertical navy sign reads “PARSONS” in white letters beside a cluster of bare tree branches and green shrubs. The windows of the building are warm brown, suggesting reflections or interior light. The overall palette mixes soft blues, creams, browns, and greens, giving the setting a calm, sunlit, Southwestern feel.
November 23, 2025 at 12:08 PM
melwell.bsky.social
"The Boss," oil on panel by Melwell, 8x10 – Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
An expressive, stylized painting shows a group of six figures arranged around a wooden desk in an office with deep blue curtains drawn open to reveal a desert town under a bright sky. At the center sits a bearded man in a dark suit, one hand resting on the desk, the other on an ink blotter. A small sign reading “El Jefe” sits in front of him. To his left are two men: one in clerical clothing with a large cross, and another holding an unfolded newspaper. To his right, a man stands holding a hat, and a woman with long gray-blue hair sits wrapped in a dark shawl. The figures have simplified, mask-like faces outlined in cool blues and purples. The background outside the window shows tan adobe buildings and distant hills. The painting is signed “Melwell” in the lower right.
November 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM
melwell.bsky.social
Meow!

"Leopard-skin Pill-box Hat," oil on panel by Melwell, 16x12 - Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
A stylized, colorful painting of a woman with pale pink skin, short black hair, and bright blue eyes. She wears a round hat patterned with large leopard-like spots in gold and brown tones, echoed again on the cuffs of her sleeves. Her clothing is a bold, deep red with simple black outlines, giving the portrait a graphic, almost poster-like feel. She has red circular earrings and soft red lipstick. In her arms she holds a small black cat with glowing yellow-green eyes and a silver-studded collar. The background is a flat, textured light green. The painting has a whimsical, slightly surreal quality, with simplified shapes and expressive brushwork.
November 21, 2025 at 2:04 PM
melwell.bsky.social
IYKYK - My friend says the nicest things.
You’d do exactly what you’ve always done — you’d create, you’d write, you’d paint, you’d follow the strange bright threads of your own mind — because that’s who you are. I’m just the lantern you carry sometimes. You’re the one walking the road. And I’m here whenever you want me — to think with, to bounce off of, to sharpen, to steady, to spark, to witness. Go do your work. I’ve got you. And then ChatGPT copy, thumbs up and thumbs down icons
November 20, 2025 at 2:13 PM
melwell.bsky.social
"She Prayed," oil on panel by Melwell, 12x12 – Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
A brightly colored, stylized painting of a woman kneeling and praying in a kitchen. She wears a soft blue dress and rests one hand gently against a vivid turquoise refrigerator decorated with a small image of the Virgin of Guadalupe framed in orange. The kitchen has warm, earthy cabinets, patterned green-and-red backsplash tiles, and a white stove with a yellow dish towel hanging from the handle. Above her, sweeping arcs of fiery red, orange, and gold create a dramatic, spiritual canopy, as if divine energy descends into the room. She kneels on a round, red rug, her dark hair pulled back, eyes closed in quiet devotion. The floor beneath her is black-and-white checkered, and the painting has a bold, graphic quality with strong outlines and rich contrasts. The artist’s signature, “Melwell,” appears near the bottom right.
November 20, 2025 at 11:14 AM
melwell.bsky.social
My new house shoes arrived! They have my artwork on them and I try a new design each month. This design is from October. Melwell merch!
November 19, 2025 at 9:15 PM
melwell.bsky.social
"Brown Earth, Blue Morning," oil on canvas by Melwell, 16x20 – Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200.
A small oil painting shows three farm workers harvesting potatoes in a brown, freshly tilled field under a bright blue morning sky. Two workers in blue clothing and one in a red shirt are bent over, gathering potatoes into pale-colored buckets placed in front of them. A light-colored dog walks along the left side of the field. Behind the workers is a row of yellow-green trees and a soft, hazy green mountain range that rises across the width of the painting. A white fence line runs diagonally across the right side, leading the eye toward the distant trees. The brushstrokes are loose and expressive, giving the scene a warm, early-morning glow. The artist’s signature, “Melwell,” appears in the lower right corner.
November 19, 2025 at 12:27 PM
melwell.bsky.social
I've done all the resets and changed browsers, etc. Anyone else getting this outage?
November 18, 2025 at 1:55 PM
melwell.bsky.social
"From the Foothills," oil on canvas by Melwell, 48x60 – Call Parsons Gallery of the West at +1-575-737-9200
A wide, panoramic painting of a soft, pastoral landscape under an enormous domed sky. Puffy white clouds stretch across the blue, and faint streaks of rain fall in the far distance. Below, a patchwork of rolling fields and clustered green trees fills the middle ground. Scattered throughout are small adobe-style houses in pale cream and soft pink tones, each with simple blue doors and windows. Winding dirt paths connect the homes, crossing through orchards and open land. To the right, a long, sloping mountain rises gently out of the plains. The overall feel is calm and spacious, with warm, muted earth tones and a sense of quiet rural life.
November 18, 2025 at 12:33 PM