Melissa Gile
Melissa Gile is a self-taught multimedia artist and designer based out of her home studio in Hamburg, Germany. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Gile has resided in Europe since 2014 and has moved over 20 times in her life. With a background in engineering and business, and a diagnosis of ADHD, her artistic journey is deeply influenced by her mental health experiences in varying environments. Inspired by Art Nouveau and the aesthetic movement, her work explores how a sensory-friendly, biophilic environment can lead to an enhanced perception of the pleasures and beauty in the world around us.
Her illuminated sculptures of soft, natural design are intended to lull the viewer into deep physical and emotional comfort. Velvety textiles cascade from hand-carved wooden structures like roots from a plant and are illuminated by subtle, indirect light. Paper flowers, delicate and ephemeral, bloom from their curves. The Stargazer Lily, a recurring motif in her work, symbolizes abundance and the courage to pursue our dreams. By day, this culminates in a joyful, lively aesthetic; by night, it transforms a space into one of wonder and enchantment.
Gile's artistic practice showcases a diverse range of skills, including painting, paper sculpting, woodworking, electronics, and textiles. This eclectic mix is a reflection of what Gile’s authentic self looks like—a collage of many parts, both artistic and technical, with a thirst for novelty and growth as a neurodivergent individual. Her commitment to sustainability guides her material choices, prioritizing recycled materials and minimizing waste.
Gile’s works have been exhibited internationally throughout Germany and the United States, including at Paradigm Gallery in Philadelphia, ArtMUC in Munich, INCorporating Art Fair in Hamburg, and Superfine Art Fair in Seattle. Her work has also been featured in a series of international publications, such as Visionary Art Collective, Create! Magazine, Women United Art Magazine, The Curator’s Salon, and CandyFloss Magazine. Available works can be collected at her website and at PxP Contemporary.
Contact
www.melissagile.com
melissa.gile.fineart@gmail.com
@melissa.gile.studio
Interview
What inspires your art practice and keeps you motivated?
The opportunity to continually grow and evolve in my art practice is a core motivator for me. Whether it's learning to craft a new flower or insect, experimenting with a different medium, or exploring new tools, the mixed-media world feels like an endless reservoir of inspiration. As an artist with ADHD, this variety quenches my thirst for novelty and leaves me deeply fulfilled by the creative process.
Additionally, there is something undeniably magical about witnessing a final piece come to life. I’m captivated by the luminous environments my works create—the soft light, vibrant colors, and flourishing flowers. These elements inspire me to keep creating, feeding an ongoing cycle of passion and creativity.
How does your mission as an artist influence the work you create?
My mission as an artist is to design sensory-friendly environments that resonate with neurodivergent individuals, particularly those who are hypersensitive, such as myself.
This mission guides every choice I make in my work. From selecting silky-smooth textiles to incorporating rich colors and vibrant, blooming flowers, each element is chosen to stimulate the senses in a soothing way. Soft, indirect lighting complements these elements to create spaces that feel both stimulating and calming. By intentionally curating these details, I aim to provide environments that bring joy, comfort, and even healing to those who experience them.
Can you share a key part of your creative process that helps you stay focused?
Listening to audiobooks is my constant companion during my creative process.
Since my projects involve many meticulous steps and can take anywhere from 20 to 100 hours to complete, audiobooks help me stay engaged and focused. High fantasy is my favorite genre because I’m fascinated by how authors build worlds that are both familiar and fantastical. These narratives often inspire my own work, motivating me to return to the studio with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for the next chapter—both in the story and in my art.
What mindset tip do you rely on to overcome challenges in your art career?
Approach every piece of art as an exploration and an opportunity to learn something new.
This doesn’t need to be a groundbreaking discovery; it could be as simple as experimenting with a new color palette, a different size, or a concept that sparks curiosity. Like any journey, an art career is filled with highs and lows, from thrilling achievements to difficult challenges. Focusing on growth and exploration has helped me navigate these fluctuations with resilience. Staying connected to this mindset keeps me inspired and grounded, ensuring that my passion for art remains strong over the long term.
How do you hope your art impacts the world or your community?
I hope my work inspires people to feel settled enough in their nervous systems to experience expansive emotions like awe and wonder.
In today’s world, many individuals—whether due to overstimulation, trauma, or learned behaviors—struggle to feel safe or calm enough to access these profound feelings. My goal is to create art that invites people to slow down and reflect on how different stimuli shape their perceptions of the world. If my work allows someone to truly see and feel beauty or joy—to have their heart leap or their eyes well with wonder—then I have succeeded in my mission as an artist.
