Figurative Oil Painter/Instructor

ABOUT MEL FIORENTINO

Mel Fiorentino art

Participation in First Friday Artwalk for over 12 years underscores Mel's commitment to community engagement, and her presence in over 75 exhibits and events has left an indelible mark on the art scene. Nationally and internationally recognized, Mel Fiorentino has garnered numerous awards, a testament to the universal appeal of her art. She has collectors all over the world including in private collections in Dubai, Italy, France, England, New Zealand to all of the corners of the US.

Now residing and painting in her Florida studio, Mel Fiorentino's biography continues to unfold, a story written with each brushstroke, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of art.Write your paragraph here.

Mel Fiorentino 

b. 1983

In her studio in Ocala, FL. 

In the heart of Ocala, Florida, a seasoned artist and drummer, Mel Fiorentino, weaves together a rich tapestry of creativity and passion that spans over two decades. Her journey from the corridors of the Renaissance to the contemporary art scene today is a testament to her enduring dedication to the craft. From her early teens, Mel's hands were graced with a brush, igniting a lifelong exploration of drawing and painting. Influenced by the timeless allure of the Renaissance masters, she discovered a profound connection to the symbolism and deep existential meanings embedded in their works. This foundational love for classical art has been the compass guiding her artistic pursuits.

At the core of Fiorentino's artistic focus is her dedication to figurative work and portraiture. Her canvas serves as a mirror reflecting influences from the Renaissance to contemporary living artists, resulting in a body of work that stretches the boundaries of figurative painting. Each stroke encapsulates not only her technical mastery but also a deep exploration of symbolism and existential themes.

Mel's artistic journey has graced prestigious stages, including the Epcot International Art Festival in Orlando, where her celebrity portraits have captured the admiration of art enthusiasts. Her prints, resonating with a global audience, find a home at Disney Springs' House of Blues.

A true alchemist of her craft, Mel primarily works in oil, meticulously mulling and mixing her own paints to achieve nuanced tones and textures. Her creations delve into the realms of surrealism and realism, a dynamic interplay of ideas and representations that continually evolve. Beyond her studio, Mel is an ardent educator at her studio Fiorentino Atelier, sharing her passion and techniques in oil painting.

AWARDS

  • 2023 Portrait International Juried Art Competition by TeraVarna out of Los Angeles, CA
  • HONORABLE MENTION. PORTRAIT. ART SHOW INTERNATIONAL GALLERY. 2022
  • RUNNER-UP PRIZE AWARD. FIGURATIVE 4. ART SHOW INTERNATIONAL GALLERY. 2022
  • FINALIST. OIL PAINTING IAA AWARD INTERNATIONAL. CAMELBACK GALLERY. 2022
  • 3RD PLACE. PASSION. NOMA GALLERY. OCALA, FL. 2022
  • BEST OF SHOW. PLEASURES 2. MARION CULTURAL ALLIANCE. OCALA, FL. 2020
  • AWARD OF DISTINCTION. STUDENT EXHIBITION. WEBBER GALLERY. OCALA, FL. 2004
  • AWARD OF MERIT. STUDENT EXHIBITION. WEBBER GALLERY. OCALA, FL. 2003
  • FIRST PLACE. FAFO STUDENT COMPETITION. 2000
  • SECOND PLACE. FAFO STUDENT COMPETITION. 2000
  • SECOND PLACE. FAFO STUDENT COMPETITION. 1999


EXHIBITIONS


  • 2023 NOMA GALLERY ORIGIN EXHIBITION
  • 2023. BARCELONA Art Tunnel by ArtExpo Billboard 21 in the Passeig de Gràcia Metro station in the main corridor connecting L3 to L4.
  • 2022. NOMA GALLERY. "LIFE & DEATH" GROUP EXHIBITION
  • 2022. NOMA GALLERY. "SUMMER IN THE SUN 2" GROUP EXHIBITION
  • 2022. NOMA GALLERY. "PASSION" GROUP EXHIBITION (3RD PLACE WINNER)
  • 2021. NOMA GALLERY. "VENUS RISING" GROUP EXHIBITION
  • 2021. NOMA GALLERY. "LIGHT AND SHADOW" GROUP EXHIBITION
  • 2021. NOMA GALLERY. "SUMMER IN THE SUN" GROUP EXHIBITION.  
  • 2021. NOMA GALLERY. "CELESTIAL SYMBIOSIS" EXHIBITION. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2020. PLEASURES 2.0, MARION CULTURAL ALLIANCE. OCALA, FL. (BEST OF SHOW WINNER)  
  • 2020. NOMA GALLERY. ARTCASTLE GROUP EXHIBITION. OCALA, FL.  
  • 2020. NUDE NITE. TAMPA & ORLANDO, FL. 
  • 2020. EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS. ORLANDO, FL. 
  • 2019. MOUNT DORA CRAFT FAIR 2019. MOUNT DORA, FL. 
  • 2019. 35TH ANNUAL MELBOURNE ART FESTIVAL. MELBOURNE, FL. 
  • 2019. BOWIE & GLASS: A SYMPHONIC TRIBUTE. REILLY ARTS CENTER OCALA, FL. 
  • 2019. COUCH SESSIONS ARTIST FINALE, REILLY ARTS CENTER. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2019. NUDE NITE. TAMPA & ORLANDO, FL.  
  • 2019. 2019 EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS. ORLANDO, FL. 
  • 2018. ANNUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL, OCALA, FL. 
  • 2018. OCALA ARTS FESTIVAL OCALA, FL. 
  • 2018. THE APPLETON MUSEUM OF ART, OCALA, FL.
  • 2018. COUCH SESSIONS, MUSICIAN & ARTIST SERIES. TAYLOR HOUSE. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2018. DISNEY SPRINGS "ARTS AND DRAFTS" HOUSE OF BLUES. ORLANDO, FL.
  • 2018. THE MUSIC OF DAVID BOWIE, JACKSONVILLE ORCHESTRA, TIMES UNION, JACKSONVILLE, FL. 
  • 2018. NUDE NITE. TAMPA AND ORLANDO, FL. 
  • 2018. FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK, OCALA, FL.
  • 2017. "ICONS, LEGENDS AND GODS" SOLO EXHIBITION. GATEWAY GALLERY. OCALA, FL.
  • 2017. THE MUSIC OF DAVID BOWIE, MAHAFFEY THEATER. ST. PETERSBURG, FL. 
  • 2017. NUDE NITE. TAMPA AND ORLANDO, FL. 
  • 2016. FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK OCALA, FL 
  • 2016. NUDE NITE. TAMPA AND ORLANDO, FL. 
  • 2015. EN. VE ART GALLERY GROUP SHOW & UNVEILING OF "UNDER THE WOOL" OCALA, FL.
  • 2015. APPLETON MUSEUM OF ART. STUDIO OPENING & LIVE PAINTING. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2015. MEL FIORENTINO'S SOLO ART EXHIBITION AT THE COURTYARD ON BROADWAY. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2015. NUDE NITE. TAMPA AND ORLANDO, FL. LIVE PAINTING FOR ENTIRE EVENT DATES. 
  • 2014. NUDE NITE. TAMPA AND ORLANDO, FL. 
  • 2013. DOWNTOWN OCALA ARTWALK. OCALA, FL.  
  • 2013. NUDE NITE TAMPA AND ORLANDO, FL.
  • 2013. DOWNTOWN OCALA ARTWALK. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2012. DOWNTOWN OCALA ARTWALK. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2012. FAT KATS ARTISTRY OCALA, FL.
  • 2012. ART WALK DOWNTOWN OCALA. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2012. GAINESVILLE FASHION WEEK. GAINESVILLE, FL.  
  • 2012. NUDE NITE TAMPA. TAMPA, FL. 
  • 2012. ART WALK DOWNTOWN OCALA. OCALA, FL.  
  • 2012. NUDE NITE ORLANDO. ORLANDO, FL. 
  • 2011. TRASHION FASHION ART SHOW. ST. PETERSBURG, FL. 
  • 2011. NUDE NITE. TAMPA, FL. 
  • 2011. ART WALK DOWNTOWN OCALA. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2010. ART WALK DOWNTOWN OCALA. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2010. NUDE NITE TAMPA. TAMPA, FL. 
  • 2009. PRIMARY GALLERY, OCALA, FL. 
  • 2008. SOLO EXHIBITION PRIMARY OVEN GALLERY, OCALA, FL. 
  • 2008. FINE ARTS FOR OCALA, OCALA, FL.  
  • 2008. ST. AUGUSTINE ART WALK. ST AUGUSTINE FL. 
  • 2008. PRIMARY OVEN GALLERY. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2008. CELLAR ROOTS ART GALLERY. EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, MI.  
  • 2008. "IT'S A SURREAL WORLD" PROGRESS ENERGY ART GALLERY. NEW PORT RICHEY, FL. 2008
  • 2008. INTERNATIONAL NEW YORK ART FESTIVAL. NYC, NY.   
  • 2008. PRIMARY OVEN GALLERY, OCALA, FL.   
  • 2007. PRIMARY OVEN GALLERY. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2007. VALLEY TRASH ART FEST. PALM VALLEY, FL. 
  • 2006. ALL THAT ART. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2006. PRIMARY OVEN GALLERY. OCALA, FL.   
  • 2006. FINE ARTS FOR OCALA. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2005. ALL THAT ART. OCALA, FL.   
  • 2004. SILVER SPRING SHORES 30TH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL. OCALA, FL
  • 2003. THE CFCC WEBBER CENTER STUDENT ART EXHIBITION. OCALA, FL. (AWARD OF DISTINCTION WINNER) 
  • 2002. FINE ARTS FOR OCALA. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2002. THE CFCC WEBBER CENTER STUDENT ART EXHIBITION. OCALA, FL.  (AWARD OF MERIT WINNER) 
  • 2001. PADDOCK MALL STUDENT ART SHOW. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2000. PADDOCK MALL STUDENT ART SHOW. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2000. APPLETON MUSEUM OF ART. OCALA, FL. 
  • 2000. FINE ARTS FOR OCALA. OCALA, FL. 
  • 1999. FINE ARTS FOR OCALA, FL. 


PUBLICATIONS

  • 2020. OCALA MAGAZINE. THE ART ISSUE. "OCALA'S ART CASTLE – AMIDST THESE UNCERTAIN AND TURBULENT TIMES, UP POPS AN ARTIST COLLABORATIVE" NOMA GALLERY
  • 2019. OCALA MAGAZINE. "CELEBRATING LOCAL ART"
  • 2019. OCALA STYLE MAGAZINE. "A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT FOR AN (ART) WALK"
  • 2019. OCALA MAGAZINE. "40 UNDER 40"
  • 2019. OCALA STYLE MAGAZINE. "ARTIST FEATURE"
  • 2019. STAR BANNER.  
  • 2018. STARBANNER." APPLETON MUSEUM MEDEVIAL TO METAL GUITAR EXHIBITION"
  • 2018. DOWNTOWN LIFE. ARTIST FEATURE ARTICLE 
  • 2018. STARBANNER ARTWALK RETURNS 
  • 2017. OCALA STYLE. ICONS, LEGENDS & GODS SOLO EXHIBITION 
  • 2017. OCALA STYLE. MAGNOLIA ART XCHANGE PAINTOUT 
  • 2017. OCALA MAGAZINE. CITY HIGHLIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT 
  • 2016. STARBANNER. "MURAL WITH FARM AND NATURE THEMES TRANSFORMS CITY TANK"
  • 2016. STARBANNER. DOWNTOWN MURAL PHOTOSHOOT AND INTERVIEW. 
  • 2016. STARBANNER. DOWNTOWN MURAL PROJECT 
  • 2015. OCALA/MARION COUNTY CEP RELOCATION & BUSINESS GUIDE. PAGE 30. 
  • 2015. STARBANNER MEL FIORENTINO UNVEILING ART EXHIBITION 
  • 2015. ORLANDO WEEKLY. NUDE NITE SHOW ARTICLE WITH PHOTO OF "REBIRTH" 
  • 2015. STARBANNER LOCAL AND STATE. ARTWALK PHOTO. 
  • 2015. STARBANNER FRONT PAGE PHOTO. ARTWALK 
  • 2015. STARBANNER  
  • 2014. STAR BANNER ARTWALK INTERVIEW. SEPTEMBER 5. 
  • 2014. STAR-BANNER    
  • 2013. STAR-BANNER.    
  • 2012. STAR-BANNER. 
  • 2010. SUNDAY FEB. 7 2010. OCALA STAR BANNER. ENJOYING ART IN DOWNTOWN OCALA. PAGE 6B  
  • 2010. THURSDAY JUNE 3. GO BY OCALA STAR-BANNER. FRONT COVER. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: BUILD CULTURAL MOMENTUM. PAGE 4 
  • 2009-2010. DEC/JAN ISSUE. FAMILY TIMES MAGAZINE. ARTIST FEATURE MELISSA FIORENTINO ART PAGE 18 
  • 2008. THE SUNCOAST NEWS. "DREAM FILLED ZONE AHEAD. PROGRESS ENERGY ART GALLERY. NEW PORT RICHEY. FL. PAGE 19 
  • 2008. NEW ART INTERNATIONAL. NEW YORK, US. 4 PAGE SPREAD. 2008. CELLAR ROOTS UPCOMING PUBLICATION (FEATURING "LEAP OF DISCOVERY") EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, MI
  • 2008. FRINGE MAGAZINE JUNE ISSUE. (FEATURING "MY DETERIORATION, METAMORPHOSIS, LEAP OF DISCOVERY, THE AWAKENING" AND "OBJECT OF SEDUCTION" AND BIOGRAPHY). BOSTON, MA.
  • 2008. CREATIONS MAGAZINE UPCOMING APRIL ISSUE (FEATURING "TRANSCENDENT" ON MAGAZINE COVER AND BIOGRAPHY). NORTHPORT, NY
  • 2008. LIVID MAGAZINE UPCOMING ISSUE (FEATURING "THE AWAKENING" AND BIOGRAPHY) BALTIMORE, MD 2008. COMPELLOART GALLERY OF GALLERIES. NEWS -> THE COMPELLOART AND SAATCHI
  • 2008. MAXIMUM TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL. 02/11/08. THE COMPELLOART AND SAATCHI ONLINE WINNERS IN ART CATEGORY. LONDON, UK. ONLINE WINNERS IN ART CATEGORY. LEBANON, NH 
  • 2008. #1 RANKED IMAGE "LAVENDER" ARTISTIC PURSUIT TOP RANKED IMAGE "LAVENDER" FIRST PLACE  
  • 2006. VOICE OF SOUTH MARION. "YOUNG ARTIST ON THE RISE." OCTOBER 5. PG. 13. PICTURE OF ARTIST AND PORTFOLIO INCLUDED IN ARTICLE.
  • 2006. THE CONNECT ZONE. LOCAL TELEVISION PROGRAM. "MELISSA FIORENTINO, OCALA ARTIST."
  • 2004. STAR BANNER NEWSPAPER. "ECLECTIC MIX: TALENT SHINES THROUGH AT CFCC'S 'STUDENT ART SHOWCASE' EXHIBIT". SUNDAY APRIL 11.
  • 2003. STAR BANNER NEWSPAPER." ART FROM SHOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE." SUNDAY, MARCH 2. PICTURE OF "SUBJECTIVE MOMENT" INCLUDED IN ARTICLE.
  • 2003. CFCC LITERARY MAGAZINE. "IMPRINTS". VOLUME 11. PICTURE OF "INSIDE OF ME" INCLUDED