Sustaining a High-Level Practice with Melissa Harvey

Whenever an artist I’m working with (or dare I say it, me) slips into the familiar complaint of “I just don’t have enough time in the studio,” I immediately think of the artists who prove that time is not the defining factor of a serious practice.

One of those artists is Melissa Harvey.

Melissa is far more than a smart, time-savvy, highly motivated maker. Over the past 25 years, she has carved out a distinct career in an unconventional and exciting medium. Working with recycled cotton clothing and domestic textiles, she transforms them into a pulp that she then sprays into 2D and 3D works and site-specific installations. Her practice cannot be easily categorised. 

I wanted to talk to Melissa about how she sustains her practice, specifically the ways she stays in the creative flow and maintains a daily connection to her work, even with limited time (she has a full-time job). For those of you short on time or struggling to stay connected to your practice, this conversation offers practical strategies to keep moving forward. 

We dive into her pulp-spraying process, how it began, what inspires her, and the pros and cons of working so flexibly and experimentally in her medium. We also explore the role of artist residencies in her growth, how they give her extended periods to learn new skills, including her most recent residency at the Morgan Conservatory in Cleveland, Ohio.

You can listen to the conversation here.

I hope you enjoy it, and that it gives you something meaningful to bring back into your studio.

Amy x